This article first appeared in the June 2020 issue of INSiGHT.
The Suffering and the Resurrection
An Overview of COVID-19 by Imliyanger Jamir
At this juncture we as Christians approach a time to
commemorate the suffering of Christ and Resurrection. Let us be reminded that Christ had to go through all sorts of sufferings i.e., physical, mental, spiritual in order to fulfill God’s will before the resurrection. This was the goal of Christ coming into the world, fulfilling the mission successfully by redeeming the human race eternally. I wish to write this article from the context of people presently suffering due to Novel Corona virus (covid-19) around the globe and Christ’s redeeming hope for humanity and how churches are adjusting their churches’ services. Are we willing to submit this suffering to God, like Christ did (Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42) so you and i can be redeemed and fulfill God’s plan? What is Coronavirus (Covid-19)?
‘WHO’ has stated that Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. This virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well-informed about the virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face. The sad part is that there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19.1 The whole world is in dilemma. Seeking professionals and scientists to acquire a cure for this virus at the same time, while people are suffering directly and indirectly. Rumours, fake news are everywhere; people are in a state of utmost fear. Food, medical utilities like masks and sanitisers etc. are all out of stock, with a huge hike in price on the available materials. It is not getting any better. The respective governments are trying their best to handle this situation to contain the virus and producing enough supply for their people. People are in anticipation that this will blow over soon. On the other hand, those in poverty are in a pitiful condition, and are most affected by the coronavirus, around the globe. Suffering Eric Cassel said that suffering can be defined as a state of severe distress associated with events that threaten the intactness of the person. It can occur in relation to any aspect of the person in the realm of his social role, his group identification, his relation with self or body, or in relation to family or relation with a personal or transcendental source of meaning.
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