Swine Flu: Precaution Or Panic?

The swine flu has arrived in Peru.

There are already two verified cases of the swine flu in the country, & at least four more probable cases. The infected people are Peruvians who brought the virus back w/ them from the Dominican Republic & the USA.

Churches & ministries here in Peru are reacting to this news in varying ways. Some churches are closing children's ministries. Other churches are closely inspecting any children that arrive on Sundays, to be sure that they do not appear to have any flu-like symptoms. Other churches are also inspecting adults on Sundays. Other churches have doctors &/0r nurses stationed on Sundays. Other churches are telling people to stay home on Sundays if they feel even an iota of sickness or flu-like symptoms in them.

I'm not here to tell you what you should do in your case, or in your church, or in your ministry, or in your part of the world.

But I am here to tell you to seek God's wisdom & discernment before making any decisions.

Take precaution, but do not panic.

In Deuteronomy 20:3 (NIV), God is addressing Israel before they go to war against an army greater than theirs. God says to Israel, "Do not be faint-hearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic ...."

Keep the same counsel.

Don't give the enemy a foothold in your church or ministry by panicking in the face of the swine flu. Others will be watching to see how you & your church or ministry react. Will they see panic, or will they see a person or a church or a ministry that clearly believes - and that clearly demonstrates - that God is in control.

Precaution before panic.

That's the best antidote you have against this swine flu pandemic.