7 reflections from Chinese pastors on coronavirus isolation

1. Accept that we will “have trouble” in this world

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

All nine pastors believed that suffering and following Christ go hand in hand. One shared, “We felt that was normal—we already knew that it was going to happen, we weren’t shocked. If you want to follow God, you have to accept this kind of consequence.”

Though the coronavirus pandemic is of course not a consequence of following Jesus—no one is being targeted by the virus for their faith!—the lesson is important. We must accept that trouble will come to us in our lives—and for those of us who follow Jesus, even moreso. But we do not have to despair; Jesus has already told us we can “take heart” because He has overcome!

2. Let go of our lives and surrender to God’s will

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

When the Chinese pastors chose to stand firm in their faith, they risked losing everything dear to them. Their decisions came at great cost: The faced the loss of health, family, future, education and even their lives. They described pivotal moments in their suffering where they had to make the choice to let go of control over their lives and surrender to God.

In our case, we need to understand that God is sovereign. If we find ourselves asking, “Where is God?” the answer is simple: “He is on His throne.” Something like the coronavirus forces us to reckon with reality: We are not in control, but God is. He can bring hope, grace, peace and love to any circumstance—and work through trouble to bring Himself glory. We simply have to choose to follow and trust Him to do so.

5. Experience God’s presence

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
He protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.

(Psalm 34:17-20)

Several of the pastors described their experience of God’s presence during times of doubt and despair. One leader recalled seeing an image of Jesus that reminded him of God’s love. Another pastor described a moment of despair where he considered jumping out a window to end his life, only to be stopped by God’s presence. The believers interviewed experienced God in a very real way during their experiences of suffering.

God does special things in special circumstances. We should not waste this crisis by entertaining ourselves until this is over. We can experience God in unprecedented ways. As one persecuted believer said this week: “The love of Jesus cannot be quarantined.” We can experience and share His love during this unique time in modern history.

6. Identify with the suffering of Jesus and of His disciples

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Hebrews 13:3)

All the pastors we spoke with were encouraged by remembering and identifying with the suffering of Jesus and the sacrifices of the early Church. Recalling God’s acts in history, reflecting on Christ’s experience preceding and during His crucifixion, and reflecting on the experiences of Paul in the early church were examples of ways in which the pastors identified with the suffering of Christ and His followers.

One thing the current situation does is make it slightly easier to identify with those who suffer for their faith. We are not imprisoned, but we are restricted in what we can do. The coronavirus can bring us closer to those who suffer—and to the example of Christ, who followed God even in the midst of deep uncertain and pain.

7. Believe in a greater purpose

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. (Philippians 1:12)

Most of the pastors were convinced that God had used the suffering of His people to bring others to Christ in China. When they saw the growth of faith of believers, the pastors gained more peace in the process of suffering.

This echoes the writings of the Apostle Paul. He always maintains a heavenly perspective, looking at what God might be doing regardless of the circumstances. He constantly asks the questions: What might God be doing here? Is what is happening to you and to the world around you serving the advance of the Gospel? Can you be a part of it?

These are questions we can ask ourselves during this global pandemic. What might God be doing in the world during this time? How can we advance the gospel, love our neighbors and grow the Church during this time? And how can we be a part of God’s mission in the world?

These questions remind us that there is something greater at work, even if we can’t always see it. We are God’s ambassadors to the world, and He can work through us in the midst of any crisis. The coronavirus may have brought the world to a standstill, but the love of Christ can never be stopped—and we can carry that love, no matter what.