--A Choice of Focus: Corona or the Crown ~~
~~[From the Editor~SC / 'Beside Still Waters']

~~If you are familiar with the Spanish language, you may have recognized that the words corona and crown are literally similar. However, for the purpose of this editorial I wish to present them as opposing scenarios. Odd? Yes, but it seems obvious to me that the panic-stricken world (post COVID-19) has forfeited the strength and solace that is available in the Crown.

I am not dismissing the gravity of this latest viral outbreak. But it is important to realize that a person's focus will significantly affect his emotions in the midst of turmoil. All of us have the ability to choose the object of our focus. If that object is fearful possibilities that face us, we will likely end up frozen with fear. But if we choose to focus on Christ, who wears the Crown, we can rest peacefully. Fear-induced paralysis and a peaceful stillness are opposite responses.

To focus our trust upon the Lord does not make us oblivious to the trials we are facing, but it gives us the power to remain at peace because we know that the Master will temper all that we face. Those who continually look toward Christ will retain "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding"-- (Philippians 4:7)

We all understand that it is impossible for us to change some situations. Life and death are in a realm which remains beyond our control. In this area and others, no amount of worrying will alter the inevitable. But we do have a choice to make: Corona or the Crown. Which of these two perspectives will we allow to control our minds, fear or faith?

We hope that Beside Still Waters can help you to direct your focus to the source of Life, and encourage you to leave the fears and troubles of the present world behind. We know that life on the earth is but for a moment and the troubles that we face here will be forgotten in eternity. ~~

--'Beside Still Waters' / SC~~
[Yes, we continue praying for those who have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. We also ask, believing that our Sovereign Lord will soon stop this virus, in the Name of Jehovah Rapha, our Healer God.~]
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