Letter from the President March 2020
“Corona Virus and The God of All Comfort”
The appearance of the Novel Corona Virus, or COVID-19, as the virus is now named, in December 2019 awakened the fear of a global pandemic with massive deaths. As I write this article, over 90,000 cases have been identified in 60 countries, resulting in over 3,000 deaths. The World Health Organization has declared the disease to be a public health emergency of international concern.
Concern is perhaps too mild a choice of words. The American Medical Association has issued this statement to its members: “It is clear that COVID-19 is a dangerous new epidemic.” This realization may explain the sudden, dramatic decline in stock markets around the world, the cancellations of international conventions and air travel, and the fact that people are purchasing face masks at such a pace that hospitals are now concerned there will not be enough masks for doctors, nurses, and staff who will care for those with the virus.
Perhaps our corporate unconscious mind remembers the horrors of the Black Death, a devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague which struck Europe and Asia in the 1300s. We studied this in medical school. As I recall the story, a ship arrived at a European port only to find all the sailors on board the ship were dead. Authorities had the ships towed out to sea but it was too late. In due time over one-third of the inhabitants of Europe died of bubonic plaque, which was brought on by an infestation of fleas off the backs of rats. It is hard to imagine the impact of a disease such as the Black Plaque spreading through a population that had little understanding of its origin or how to stop its spread.
Today is different. Hospitals and clinics around the world have been alerted and the public has become aware of public health measures we can take to diminish the spread of the coronavirus. We are aware of washing hands properly, covering our mouth for coughs and sneezes, and staying home if not well. Even now, every hospital and clinic in America and governments around the world are making preparations to curtail the spread of the virus.
Yet, I believe there is one more thing we, personally, can do. We can consider the fear of death that a dangerous epidemic has awakened in us. I believe turning to God is appropriate when our life and the life of our loved ones and children is in danger. We can go to God to find strength and courage in times of great need, when we need a power greater than ourselves to still our anxiety.
A passage in the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 1:3, invites us to give thanks to “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
When fear is on every side, I believe, whatever our faith tradition may be, in our hour of need we can turn to God who alone can provide the peace that passes all understanding.
John K. Graham, MD, DMin President & CEO
Institute for Spirituality and Health