Coronavirus: Reassuring the Elderly

​Now is not the most comforting time to be a senior adult anywhere in the world.  We are painfully aware that the elderly are vulnerable to the Covid-19 sickness - not only to become infected but also to have negative outcomes.  That said, we who are not yet in our golden years have the opportunity to reassure the elderly of our concern through biblical truth and Christian love.
Those Who Despair of Living
At times, those who are advanced in age despair of living and even think fondly of a disease that might lead them, at long last, to their eternal home.  I have had some who felt this way in my first church, and I have encountered this thinking as recently as the past 72 hours with regard to the Coronavirus.
Here are some biblical truths to help reassure these folks:

• Unless the end of the age precedes our death, all of us have a point in the future when we will leave this life and enter the next (Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 90:12).
• To leave this life and be with God in Heaven is far better for us on a personal level, but for reasons we may or may not know, our staying here is better for someone else (Philippians 1:23-24).
• The Apostle Paul did not consider his life dear to himself, but he chose to devote every ounce of his being to the task of testifying to the Gospel of Christ (Acts 20:24).
• Let everything that has breath praise the LORD (Psalm 150:6).

Those Who Feel Threatened
Some have said they believe the Coronavirus was lab-created for the purpose of taking out the elderly.  I have heard this.  Others say that they are disturbed by the younger generations taking a "not my problem" approach to the situation.  Whether conspiratorial or not, elderly people who feel threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic need our love and concern.  We are to honor our fathers and our mothers.  We are to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Understand this also, one day, you may be 70, 80, or 90.  What level of attention and love would you like to receive?  Sow those seeds today that you may reap them when it is your turn.  

Do you have your own ideas of how we can reassure the elderly in this difficult time?  Please drop a comment below.  Thank you!