COVID Through the Lens of James 1:19-20

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Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20, KJV

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20, ESV

This has been on my heart for some time; however, things came to a point of need recently. COVID has many stresses attached: the concerns for our own health, concerns for the health of others, especially already ill loved ones, concern over those without Jesus who may die from the disease, concern over this disease being used to encroach on personal liberties, and concern that COVID has disrupted some people’s commitment to the local church gatherings.

All of these concerns are valid. But I’ve seen a greater and greater trend that disturbs me. More and more, we are throwing off tact, restraint, and Biblical examples in order to perpetuate whatever aspect of this pandemic issue affects us the most.

Now, people who do not publicly profess to be like Christ have no responsibility to actually be like him. But for those of us who have let the world know we are…