First, the return of our Lord Jesus is near. Our Lord once told his disciples in Matt 24:6-8 that
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Besides the increase in natural disasters due to climate change, the instability that North Korea is creating by their development and testing of nuclear weapons also loom over the world. Jesus says that the signs of the end of the world include wars and natural disasters. These signs will happen like birth pangs: we know that a woman is close to delivery when her birth pangs reach a peak. In the same way, the severity of wars and natural disasters are escalating. These happenings could signal the near return of our Lord. When the Lord returns, everyone must give an account of how we have spent our life, money, time, and resources on earth. The judgement criterion would be if we had used what we have to serve the Lord or if we have simply used them to our own selfish advantage: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10). Whether or not you receive an eternal reward depends wholly on what you do now. Serve the Lord faithfully! Stop loving the world! Stop living for yourself or any person but wholly to please your Saviour!
Second, disasters and diseases strike fear in our hearts. How can you continue to enjoy real peace even in difficult times? During a storm, Jesus’ disciples panicked at the sight of the boat sinking. Jesus calmed the storm. The disciples were amazed and said: “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him” (Luke 8:25). He then rebuked His disciples saying, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25). In other words, if the disciples had believed that our Lord is in full control of our lives and nature, they would not be afraid. Hence, we are not afraid even if diseases attack us because if the Lord allows it, even diseases will work to our eternal advantage (Rom 8:28). Are you facing great difficulties? Simply trust the Lord.
Third, the Bible urges us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal 6:9-10). Life is a very tough journey. Besides taking care of ourselves, let us take care of one another. You must remember that in church different people are facing different stresses and challenges. Hence, let us be kind and gracious to one another. Pray for each other. Be a little nosy without being rudely intrusive, find out how others are doing. Ask: “How are you? Is everything well?” Then pray and render practical help.