To the editor:

During this difficult time of coronavirus, I have seen many letters that reference the Bible in regards to dealing with the pandemic. I would therefore like to offer my own scripture-based thoughts for readers to take or leave as they choose.

One of favorite Bible quotes is this one: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and soundness of mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

This quote is so fitting for what we are dealing with these days. The word “power” is usually interpreted here as the courage to overcome fear and take action. We need courage to reach across the divisions that separate us, to stand up to bigotry and hatred, and to search for joy and thankfulness as we struggle with despair.

We need love. Christ said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Christ made the ultimate sacrifice out of love for us; shouldn’t we make the small sacrifice of donning an uncomfortable mask out of love for our fellow humans?

And we need soundness of mind–which is sometimes translated as self-discipline in order to continue abiding by the guidelines even when “COVID fatigue” sets in, and to take the time to carefully evaluate the information thrown at us from various sources.

I will close with another of my favorite scripture passages that I am trying to keep in mind during this time: “Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4: 7-8)