Northview Blog Faith, Not Fear: How to Follow Paul's Example on Social Media April 6, 2020 God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT)Do you ever wish you could phone a friend from the Bible? Maybe Paul and ask him what he thinks about the Coronavirus? If Paul and I were on the phone, I would tell him I’m concerned for the health and safety of loved ones. I would be honest with him about my struggle to want to hoard food in a panic. Would Paul understand the nervous butterflies I get in my stomach when I watch the news?In a letter to his friends, the Corinthians, Paul is honest about his feelings. He shares how bad things are for him. He is being threatened daily with prison and death. Paul knows from personal experience that when life spirals out of control, anxiety is our natural human response. He also knows, with confidence, that God offers His people more. God offers mercy to make sense of nonsense and comfort to help when life seems so out of control.When the butterflies in my stomach start to flutter, I pray and turn my gaze to my Savior, letting his spirit comfort me and his mercy wash over me.I am so grateful that Paul is open with his feelings. He doesn’t sugarcoat it for us. His vulnerability is relatable and makes me feel more normal and not so alone. Paul’s real story of unreal peace leads me closer to our heavenly Father God.I don’t usually write a lot of letters, but I do post on Facebook and Instagram. I strive to share honestly what I am feeling with my friends and family. Like Paul, I want to post relatable experiences and vulnerable feelings and, ultimately, turn others to Christ. I know posting this way will cultivate a good online community and hopefully turn others to God in their feelings of anxiety or fear.Lord, You are my hope and my source of comfort. Help me to stay focused on You. To pray, not panic, and to share my faith in the face of fear. Heal our world of this virus. Comfort those who are anxious, and show Your mercy on those who are sick. by Katie Spittal Culture Self Relationships