No, there is nothing wrong with being prepared, nor is there anything wrong with stocking up on things. We all have fears, but not all fear is the same. How do we know when fear is sin?

Unbelief is the root of fear. Fear causes worry and anxiety. Therefore, unbelief is at the heart of anxiety. Stop for a moment and think how many different sinful actions and attitudes come from anxiety. Anxiety about finances can give rise to coveting and greed and hoarding and stealing. Anxiety about succeeding at some task can make you irritable and abrupt and surly. Anxiety about relationships can make you withdrawn and indifferent and uncaring about other people. Anxiety about how someone will respond to you can make you cover over the truth and lie about things. So if anxiety could be conquered, a lot of sins would be overcome.

But what is the root of anxiety? And how can it be severed? To answer that we go to our text in Matthew 6. Four times in this text Jesus says that we should not be anxious.

Matthew 6:25: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life.”

Matthew 6:27: “And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?”

Matthew 6:31: “Therefore do not be anxious.”

Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow.”

The verse that makes the root of anxiety explicit is Matthew 6:30: "Therefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is here and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” 

In other words, Jesus says that the root of anxiety is lack of faith in our heavenly Father. As unbelief gets the upper hand in our hearts, one of the results is anxiety.

How many of you know that when you are anxious and fearful, it can lead to irrational thought? That is true for anyone. 

As believers, we are commended in 2 Timothy 1:7 "You have not been given a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and of a sound mind."

"What does the Bible mean when it refers to a sound mind?"

In other Bible translations, the word rendered “self-control” (ESV), “self-discipline” (NIV, NLT), “discipline” (NASB), “good judgment” (GW), and “sound judgment” (CSB). What is Paul referring to when he tells Timothy that God has given us the spirit of a sound mind?

The influence of the Spirit of God is required to produce a genuinely sound mind. The sound mind Paul speaks of is a mind under the control of God’s Holy Spirit. In the sense of self-discipline, the word denotes careful, rational, sensible thinking. Having a sound mind requires a thought process based on the wisdom and clarity that God imparts rather than being manipulated by fear.

Today, as in Timothy’s day, fear is a driving force in the world. Fear inspires the news headlines, motivates advertising campaigns, and stirs up social media frenzies. Fear is one of Satan’s favorite devices to confuse our minds, cause irrational thoughts, misunderstandings, and derail us from the will of God. For this reason, the Word of God encourages us to cultivate a healthy, renewed mind that can process right-thinking based on God’s truth: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

A sound mind is a stable, healthy mind. A healthy mind is linked to our attitude and outlook as believers. A sound mind is not overly concerned with the cares and problems of this life but is set on God and His Kingdom (Colossians 1:1–2). A sound mind is alert and sober, focused on the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13). A sound mind recognizes who we are in Christ, and does not depend on human wisdom and strength (2 Corinthians 10:3–5). A sound mind is guarded through prayer and purity: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:6–8).

A sound mind stabilizes our entire inner world. When Paul says God has given us the spirit of a sound mind (or self-control, discipline, and sound judgment), he doesn’t mean we’ll be able to train harder, eat better, or study more. Paul recognizes that God’s Spirit yields obedience, right living, and moral judgment. From the inside out, the Holy Spirit reshapes and transforms not just how we think, but who we are.

If we yield to our own understanding, we will be led astray. Our hearts are desperately wicked and the scripture even declares "who can know it". This is why it is sinful to act in ways that display unbelief, or lack of faith in our God. The beauty of the gospel is that even when we mess up, we can be forgiven. Hallelujah! If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

So we need to surrender to God's will and His way daily. That is why the Apostle Paul told us to not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. We have to renew our minds daily. We have to die to self daily. That way we can be controlled by the Holy Spirit. 

We are all going to be ok. The coronavirus will be gone and life will return to our version of normal. Until then, we need to exercise faith in the promises and hand of God and not succumb to our human fear. Amen?