Fear is a joy stealer

Wow it has been a good minute since I've last posted. I have much on my mind today and I need to get these words off my chest. I hope this will encourage someone who needs it.

On February 2nd, I attended a concert with my friends. Everything was relatively normal that day, clusters of people waiting and talking, standing in line for merch, giving away free fan made merchandise. However, what was not normal was that this particular  cluster of people (majority girls) were wearing masks and staff was giving masks to people who did not have one. People in hazmats suits were walking around disinfecting the place. When it was time to enter the auditorium each person was given a squirt of hand sanitizer. My friends and I along with the rest of the fans enjoyed the concert wearing a mask. I had hoped it would be the first and last time I would see that apocalyptic scene but I don’t think it will be. 

The following day I went to work and my bosses raised an eyebrow at my mask-less face and slightly scolded me. “Christina, do you have a mask? Why aren’t you wearing a mask?” “I live across the street.” I had replied to my boss’s dismay. My boss shook her head at my response and said “Even so, wear a mask outside. The situation is very serious.” 

Only 11 people at that time were infected with the Coronavirus.

Staring into the face of a global pandemic has led me to ask myself, how should I, as a Christian and follower of Christ, respond? How should I go about my daily life?

Now as I write this, 204 people are infected in South Korea and one person has died.  However, do you wish to know what is more contagious than this virus? I’m gonna let you guess. It’s four letters, starts with an f and ends with an r. 

……

…..

….

FEAR.

I admit, as someone who thinks she is dying literally every time she gets sick and gets anxious over small simple things like ordering food, my bosses’ worries amplified my fear and for several days I worried, fretted and was fearful. Those few days of being fearful and giving in to everyone’s paranoia took away my joy. Not again. 

Fear is a spirit not of God. If it’s not from God I want nothing to do with it. Giving in to the fear is admitting your doubt that God is sovereign over all. (And this is more of a reminder for myself as it is for everyone else.)

Let me repeat that. 

Fear is a spirit not of God. Giving in to this spirit of fear shows doubt in God’s sovereignty. 

Here is what the Bible says about anxiety and worry: 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

Friends and family, we are not promised another day, coronavirus or no coronavirus. If today were your last day would you want to spend it worrying and fretting? The Bible tells us “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

What is true?

God  promised us and calls for us to “be strong and courageous , do not be afraid, for  I will never leave  you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) 

As  we stare a scary unknown extremely contagious virus in the face, we are reminded that our walk with Christ is not all rainbows and sunshine. There is rain and trials. However, 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 reminds us “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” 

What does, ‘so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies’ mean? I’d like to think it means that during a time of a global crisis that we Christians remain a light and Godly influence to others, that we stand strong in our faith and love and show compassion for others because the Holy Spirit lives within us.

So, my friends and family, let’s not be fearful but prayerfully concerned. Let’s not be paranoid and fretful, instead let’s pray. Let’s pray for those in China and Wuhan, let’s pray for those on Princess Diamond,  let’s pray for the infected  worldwide and the families of the members who died. Also, let’s give praise for the ones who have recovered. Let’s pray to the One who is the Great Physician, Comforter, Healer and Provider.

As I was doing my devotions this morning, Psalms 107 really spoke to me. This verse “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and he delivered them from their distress” is mentioned 4 times, which means this is pretty important. God will not leave us or forsake us, he will deliver us from our distress when we cry out to Him. Let’s pray that China , the church cult cluster here in South Korea and the people around the world who have not accepted Christ to call on Him in this time of distress.  Let’s pray that this terrible affliction will somehow be used to bring God glory. 

This is what I hope you take away from this long ramble of thoughts:

1. Fear is a spirit not of God, don’t give into it.

2. We as Christians should stand strong in our faith, and love others.

3. Let us pray that God will heal, comfort, and provide.

4. No matter what happens, God is Good and He is Sovereign.

So how should we live amongst a pandemic? By ensuring that everyday through our actions and words that we bring glory to God. I am doing what I can to ensure I don’t get sick - wearing a mask, washing my hands A LOT, not touching my face, not sharing food with others, washing my clothes more than usual, showering as soon as I arrive home, taking vitamins but ultimately everything else is in God’s hands.

I refuse to let fear of the unknown steal my God-given joy. I hope you feel the same.

Stay safe, friends and family. 

~~It is well with my soul.

Culture Shock!

So I guess I’m not good at keeping up with this blog thing. Sorry guys. I’ll try to do better. This post is a bit short, but I promise the next post will be longer and with pictures.

I was in the mist of writing a post about my glimpse into North Korea last weekend, but that will have to wait because I want to share my experience about my first real culture shock today. 

I was walking to the subway station from church when I heard a loud noise. I looked across the street to see that a guy had crashed/fallen off his delivery bike. He slowly dragged himself to the sidewalk where he then curled up in a ball holding his leg. No one moved to help him. No one took out their phone. People stared and pointed. After a few good long minutes I saw two kind souls on the ground with him. If I had minutes on my phone I would have called the police with my broken Korean. In Georgia, I witnessed a sports car flip over and a herd of people ran to help person in the car, and about a dozen of cars pulled over to call for help. Here, in Seoul, it was as if no one cared. It was a bit disturbing to this Southern American girl. 

Hostels and Clubs

South Korea represents a lot of firsts for me. The first few nights in South Korea I guess kind of set the tone of my experience here.

1) My first night in a hostel

Those who read my first blog know that I arrived a day early and a kind lady helped me find a hostel to stay at my first night. I stayed in a four-person FEMALE dorm, but only had one roommate for the night. She was also an American exchange student who took classes over the summer. She helped me find a place to eat dinner and then we went back to the hostel. ( I was too tired to explore ) Well an hour or two later, one of the workers barges into the room. No knock or “Hey I’m coming in!” Or anything. He just simply puts the key into the lock and turned the doorknob. He then proceeds to tell us he has to “fix the router” which is oh so conveniently in our room. He exits the room leaving the door wide open and as soon as I close the door, he bursts right on in again this time bringing another worker with him. Both of them take the liberty to lie all over my roommate’s bed. The room wasn’t very big to begin with, so it really became crowded when the two ahjussies (Korean word for middle aged man) took over the room. 

It was one of those defining moments where you ask yourself "What is going on in my life right now?"  

I’m not really sure what they think of foreigners if they assume its okay to barge into the other genders room without knocking or asking permission. In America, that wouldn’t be okay. They would have likely been threatened.

I came to this country thinking it was a very conservative country. I guess conservative is a relative term.

2) Clubs

.Sayyy what??!! CC went to a club?!

 My second night here, there was a welcoming party for all the exchange students in Seoul.  I joined a group of people who wanted to go to the party. We had a nice Korean BBQ dinner, and then decided to wait out the Welcoming Party because there was a special discount after midnight.  After dinner, we went to Club Maad. Now, for those who know me, know that clubbing/partying isn’t exactly my cup of tea…but since I’m in a different country I decided to give it a try. The club was small, and dark with very flashy lights that hurt my eyes and gave me an instant headache. There were more international students rather than Koreans. People were drinking, smoking, and yelling in each other ears. Not exactly my ideal place to meet people.  Honestly, all I wanted to do was go back to my room, turn on a nice Korean drama and go to sleep. 

I was happy when it hit midnight and we left the small crowded club and headed towards the welcoming party, only to find out the welcoming party was yet another club that was even more crowded and weren’t allowing people in.

So that was my clubbing experience. I went, I saw, I left. Never again. I much rather watch Japanese anime in my dorm room with my roommate.  That’s my ideal of fun.

God is with me in South Korea

Welcome to my Journey in South Korea. I think what is significant in any journey is the beginning of the journey. This post is a bit long, but is a really important aspect of my trip to South Korea.

After a 14 and a half hour cramped, stuffy plane ride, I landed at the Incheon airport in South Korea at 4:30 in the morning on August 29^th.  But wait, that’s wrong… I was supposed to land Friday morning on the 30^th so my friend could pick me up. Apparently me nor my parents or my Korean friend knew how to calculate the International dateline.

I remember gazing wild – eyed at the fluorescent sign above the baggage claim stating the time and date. “Is it really Thursday the 29^th?” I asked the blonde woman beside me. She looked at me a bit strangely and replied “Yes.” I told her my situation and she directed me to the Korean Air desk.

Well that’s freaking awesome. I arrived on the wrong date and had no way to call or contact my friend. I had no idea how to reach the university … after all this was my first time by myself in a foreign country.  I waited for my luggage and prayed.. “Please Lord help me figure all this out… please let everything come together under your will.”  Not even a full minute after my silent prayer, the blonde woman from earlier walked up to me and asked where I was going. “Seoul.” I answered.  “Great I am headed that way too, why don’t you take a taxi with me to my hotel, we’ll eat breakfast together, and then call your friend and figure out what to do from there.”  I hesitated for a split second,  Mom’s warning repeating in my head “ Don’t trust strangers” but rather than feeling apprehensive, I felt calm and at ease. I knew right then that this tall blonde American woman was my answer to prayer.

We took an hour long taxi ride from Incheon to Seoul. We had a nice cab driver who spoke excellent English with a bit of a French accent. ( No, I don’t understand how that works either)

We arrived at a fancy hotel where I spent most of my day in the lounge. The clerks held on to my luggage and helped me call my friend.  With the help of my kind companion and the hotel clerk I managed to find a hostel for the night.

My answer to prayer was a woman from LA, a believer, who comes to Korea twice a year for business. I have not spoken to her since that day but I will always remain grateful for her kindness and generosity. God’s presence was definitely felt the day I landed in this beautiful, vibrant country.

In my next post I will tell you about my first few nights in Seoul.

Cheers.

(This was the view from the hotel, my first morning in Seoul)