My husband is a first responder with a national ambulance company.  He has texted me pictures of himself wearing medical masks and gloves.  I have also seen lots of social media images portraying countless medical personnel wearing biohazard suits and other contact precaution gear to protect themselves from contracting the COVID-19 virus that is currently plaguing our world.

While I am a proponent of medical treatment and recommend following transmission precautions, I also strongly believe that we need spiritual protection during this time.  The Bible says, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”  (Ephesians 6:10-11).  We need spiritual armor every day, but even more so during times of stress and uncertainty. 

It’s easy for fear and worry to take a foothold in our lives when circumstances are scary and uncertain.  While it’s perfectly normal and healthy for us to briefly feel those difficult emotions, spiritual armor will help us not to dwell on them.  Spiritual armor will help turn our fear into faith.  Our stress into peace.  Our sadness into hope.

Below are 20 scripture verses— spiritual armor— to help you combat the fears and stress of COVID-19 and everything that accompanies it: feelings of isolation, grief over loss of normalcy, anger and frustration, physical illness, financial stress, fear of death, etc.  Each group of verses also ends with a personal prayer to God, tying all the verses together.

FEAR and WORRY

Are you scared of getting sick or losing loved ones to COVID-19?  Do you fear losing your job and experiencing financial distress?  As a parent, are you feeling overwhelmed about educating your children at home while also trying to hold down a work-from-home job? Are you concerned your kids might “fall behind” in school or not adjust to changed routines?  Are you worried you won’t be able to locate certain essential necessities like toilet paper, drinking water, and medical supplies since they’re currently in high demand?

God’s Word says:

“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”  Psalm 91:2

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”  James 1:2-3

“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

“Rejoice in the Lord always!  I will say it again: Rejoice! […] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7       

Prayer of Protection: 

God, thank You for loving me.  Thank You for Your protection and for being my refuge.  Help me trust You and to not live in fear.  I know You want the best for me.  I know trials test and strengthen my faith and bring me closer to You. Please fill my heart with peace and thanksgiving.  I rejoice because of Your faithfulness.  Amen. 

ANGER and FRUSTRATION

Are you grieving the loss of normalcy?  Are you feeling frustrated that your routine has dramatically changed?  Are you upset that you had to cancel your travel plans or special events?  Does it bother you to see other people not taking recommended precautions?  Are you angry for having lost your job or income? 

God’s Word says:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. […] Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. […] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”  Colossians 3:2,12,15

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”  Proverbs 17:22

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14

Prayer of Protection:

Lord, please give me rest.  I am called to peace, not anger.  Cheerfulness, not frustration.  Help me to keep my focus on You at all times.  You are the calm in the storm.  May my thoughts, feelings, and words be pleasing to You, Father.  Amen.

LONELINESS and ISOLATION

Are you feeling lonely and isolated?  Do you miss spending time with your friends, attending social gatherings, and going to church?  Screens just aren’t the same.  Do you miss hugging your friends and neighbors since the CDC recommends staying at least 4 to 6 feet apart?  Do you miss adult conversation as your days are filled with little ones running around the house?

God’s Word says:

“Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:39

“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’  So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’”  Hebrews 13:5

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Psalm 34:18

Prayer of Protection:

Lord, thank You for loving me.  Your love is high and wide and deep and strong.  Thank You for always being by my side.  I know I am not alone.  I know I am not forgotten.  Please fill me with Your presence during the times I may feel lonely.  Help me reach out to others in their loneliness as well.  Amen.

DEPRESSION and DESPAIR

Are you feeling sad about everything that is happening around you?  Are you grieving the illness or death of a loved one?  Do you feel hopeless, wondering when the uncertainty will end?  Are you having trouble sleeping at night, as your mind races with anxious and worrisome thoughts?  Amidst your despair, do you turn to unhealthy foods, alcohol, or other vices for false comfort?

God’s Word says:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”  Jeremiah 29:11

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”  Psalm 40:1-3

Prayer of Protection:

Lord, I need Your help.  I’m falling deeper into the pit.  Please lift me up.  Thank you, Father, for Your faithfulness.  I know You never fail.  I may be down, but I am not destroyed.  You have a plan for me.  You are my hope and my future.  I will wait patiently for You.  Please place a new song in my heart, God.  Help me to stand strong.  I praise You, my Redeemer and Comforter.  Amen.

PHYSICAL ILLNESS and DEATH

Are you currently sick?  Have you lost a friend or loved one to COVID-19?  Do you have a pre-existing illness that could increase your chances of having severe symptoms if you contract the virus?  Are you on the frontlines— a first responder, medical staff, professional and/or retail staff with high exposure to crowds— who is worried about getting sick or spreading the virus to your family?

God’s Word says:

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; […] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:4,6

“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

“Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Prayer of Protection:

Lord, I know my body is temporary.  My earthly home is temporary, but my home with You is forever.  Help me to take care of my body and to make healthy choices.  You created me for a purpose.  Please give me strength, Lord, so that I may continue serving You here on earth until it is time for You to call me home.  Help me place my trust in You and to pray for Your will, not mine.  For my friends and loved ones, please give them strength and good health too, according to Your purpose.  I know healing is in Your hands, Lord, both physically and spiritually.  Help me to share the Gospel with as many people as I can, so that all may come to know You as their personal, loving Savior and have eternal life.  Amen.  

In closing, may you take comfort in God’s Word today and every day.  Read it.  Breathe it.  Clothe yourself with it.  We can’t control what happens to us, but we can try to control how we respond to what happens. 

We can choose to experience hardship without God’s armor, or we can choose to experience hardship WITH His armor.  Hardship is still difficult— it’s called HARDship, after all.  But God is walking with us every step of the way.  The stronger our armor is, the more aware we are of His presence.  And the more aware we are of God’s presence, the easier it will be to keep moving forward, trusting His faithful promises.

Amy

RELATED POST:

Society is telling us to “be still” at home so that the COVID-19 curve can flatten and “be still”.  But I think God is wanting us to “be still” too.  Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”  Here’s a short post (under 2 min read) to help you “be still” with God if you are feeling stressed.

RELATED RESOURCES:

In addition to scripture, I’m a strong believer in the power of worship music.  Below are some songs that remind me of God’s faithfulness— songs that fill me with hope and thankfulness.

Healing is in Your Hands by Christy Nockels

You Never Fail by Hillsong Worship

Famous For (I Believe) by Tauren Wells

I Know by Big Daddy Weave

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me by City Alight

He Knows by Jeremy Camp

Goodness of God by Bethel Music

Way Maker by Leeland

Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin

Yes I Will by Vertical Worship

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