by Chaplain Bruce Paul of the Department of Spiritual Care at Michigan Medicine

In the midst of this pandemic and the anxiety of sheltering in place, some people are anxious and afraid and asking why is this happening and where’s God in all this?  As a Christian, I seek wisdom from the Bible. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he writes “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28 NIV).  The one part of that phrase—in all things—that means all things, even in the COVID-19 pandemic, God works for the good.  

I don’t believe that God caused it, but I certainly believe that he’s doing good through it, just like he has throughout history in times like this.  Sometimes things may seem like they are spinning out of control and the good is hard to find, but it’s there.  I’ve seen it.  I’ve seen people helping their neighbors.  I’ve seen young people showing more senior folks who aren’t as tech savvy how to use Skype, or Zoom to connect with their family safely.  I’ve seen people donating food, sewing masks, companies donating supplies or volunteering to make needed things, like sanitizer, or even ventilators.  

It doesn’t mean that we all will see what he does, it doesn’t mean that I will see what he does, but I know that God is doing something now, whether he’s calling people’s attention to him, because they are scared or anxious, or providing knowledge to find a breakthrough treatment, or maybe even preparing us for the next thing that comes.  I trust God.  I find comfort in knowing that he’s in charge and has all the answers, so I don’t have to.   We are all in this together and God is working for our good.  

Keep an eye out for it, it’s all around us.