To Vaccine or Not to Vaccine: That is the Question
One of the hottest topics in the news these days is the covid-19 vaccine. Should we get it or should we not get it? Is it safe? What is actually in it? What about the side effects? What about the long-term effects? Does it really provide protection from contracting covid-19? Will it really reduce the chances of becoming deathly ill? Should the federal government have the authority to mandate it?
Whether you've already made your decision to take the vaccine or not, you have probably asked yourself these and a thousand other questions. But if you have read the news and followed what is trending on social media recently regarding this topic, you are probably more confused now than when this whole thing started. One news outlet will report one thing and another news outlet will report the exact opposite. I've personally reached the point to where I do not feel like I can trust the media or the government on this issue.
We can argue whether we believe that covid-19 occurred naturally or was man-made. However, the one thing that we cannot argue is that covid-19 is real. I have experienced it personally and it has made members of my family extremely sick. I have several family members and friends who have had to be hospitalized. I know several people in our community that have been put on ventilators. Sadly, I also know several people who have recently died from the effects of covid-19. So the decision whether or not to take the vaccine is of extreme importance and one that could have serious short-term and long-term implications for our health and that of our family and friends.
Since we are all faced with such an important and potentially life-changing decision, how do we know whether or not we are making the right decision? Should we refuse to take the vaccine and simply have faith and trust God to protect us from this virus and to heal us if we should get it? Or is the vaccine the answer to our prayer for protection and a life-line that God has provided in order to rescue us from this virus? If we refuse to take the vaccine are we refusing the very answer to our prayer God has provided?
As a Christian, the ultimate source for wisdom should not be the news, or the CDC, or the President. We have the greatest source of wisdom already available to us in God's Word. The question that we should really be asking ourselves is what guidance does God's Word give us on this subject? I believe there are three principles that we can take from God's Word to apply to this situation to help us make an informed and biblically sound decision regarding the vaccine.
1) Don't Automatically Dismiss It, Seriously Consider It
Acts 17:11 (NKJV)
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonians, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
When Paul preached to the Jews in Berea, they received Paul’s words with gladness, but they went to the Scriptures themselves to confirm what Paul was saying was true. We need to have the same mind as the Bereans in how we approach the vaccine. We do not just need to blindly accept what the media is telling us about the benefits. Facebook, Twitter, and even mainstream news outlets have proven that they are not a reliable source of accurate information. So we cannot believe everything that we read or that we hear regarding the vaccine. However, we should not just automatically dismiss it either. Even though trustworthy information is difficult to find, we should do our due diligence and we owe it to ourselves to find out as much information as possible about the vaccine and carefully consider the evidence that is currently available. Then we will be in a better position to determine whether the things that we have heard are so and we can weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks in order to make an informed decision.
2) Don't Stress About It, Pray About It
Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which passes understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The decision of whether or not to take the vaccine should not be made out of anxiety or fear. The Bible tells us that, "God has not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). The Bible also tells us that fear involves torment (1 John 4:18). But there is no fear and there is no torment in going to God in prayer and asking Him for guidance. God instead offers us His peace and He is able to guard our hearts and minds against all anxiety and fear. When you pray about whether to take the vaccine, ask God for His wisdom and guidance. The Bible tells us that "if any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5, NKJV). Ask God to give you wisdom and direction for your life and to help you make the right decision for you and your family. God will give you what you ask for and you will have peace over your decision.
3) Don't dwell on it, Trust God in it
Romans 14:5
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
We must each be convinced in our own minds what the right decision is for us and our families in regards to whether or not to take the covid-19 vaccine. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer that is right for every person or every family. However, whether you and your family choose to take the vaccine or not, put your complete trust in God. If you choose not to take the vaccine, trust in God that He is able to protect and heal you and your family. If you choose to take the vaccine, trust in God that He is able to protect you from severe side effects from the vaccine itself. Whatever you do, trust God. Do not put all of your trust in a man-made vaccine. Do not put your trust in your own human wisdom. Psalm 118:8 states, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Regardless of your decision, be convinced in your own mind that after carefully considering it and after praying about it and asking God for wisdom and guidance, that you have made the right decision and there is no need for anxiety, worry, or fear. There is only need to continue to maintain your trust in God.
To Vaccine or Not to Vaccine: That is the Question
One of the hottest topics in the news these days is the covid-19 vaccine. Should we get it or should we not get it? Is it safe? What is actually in it? What about the side effects? What about the long-term effects? Does it really provide protection from contracting covid-19? Will it really reduce the chances of becoming deathly ill? Should the federal government have the authority to mandate it?
Whether you've already made your decision to take the vaccine or not, you have probably asked yourself these and a thousand other questions. But if you have read the news and followed what is trending on social media recently regarding this topic, you are probably more confused now than when this whole thing started. One news outlet will report one thing and another news outlet will report the exact opposite. I've personally reached the point to where I do not feel like I can trust the media or the government on this issue.
We can argue whether we believe that covid-19 occurred naturally or was man-made. However, the one thing that we cannot argue is that covid-19 is real. I have experienced it personally and it has made members of my family extremely sick. I have several family members and friends who have had to be hospitalized. I know several people in our community that have been put on ventilators. Sadly, I also know several people who have recently died from the effects of covid-19. So the decision whether or not to take the vaccine is of extreme importance and one that could have serious short-term and long-term implications for our health and that of our family and friends.
Since we are all faced with such an important and potentially life-changing decision, how do we know whether or not we are making the right decision? Should we refuse to take the vaccine and simply have faith and trust God to protect us from this virus and to heal us if we should get it? Or is the vaccine the answer to our prayer for protection and a life-line that God has provided in order to rescue us from this virus? If we refuse to take the vaccine are we refusing the very answer to our prayer God has provided?
As a Christian, the ultimate source for wisdom should not be the news, or the CDC, or the President. We have the greatest source of wisdom already available to us in God's Word. The question that we should really be asking ourselves is what guidance does God's Word give us on this subject? I believe there are three principles that we can take from God's Word to apply to this situation to help us make an informed and biblically sound decision regarding the vaccine.
1) Don't Automatically Dismiss It, Seriously Consider It
Acts 17:11 (NKJV)
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonians, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
When Paul preached to the Jews in Berea, they received Paul’s words with gladness, but they went to the Scriptures themselves to confirm what Paul was saying was true. We need to have the same mind as the Bereans in how we approach the vaccine. We do not just need to blindly accept what the media is telling us about the benefits. Facebook, Twitter, and even mainstream news outlets have proven that they are not a reliable source of accurate information. So we cannot believe everything that we read or that we hear regarding the vaccine. However, we should not just automatically dismiss it either. Even though trustworthy information is difficult to find, we should do our due diligence and we owe it to ourselves to find out as much information as possible about the vaccine and carefully consider the evidence that is currently available. Then we will be in a better position to determine whether the things that we have heard are so and we can weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks in order to make an informed decision.
2) Don't Stress About It, Pray About It
Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which passes understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The decision of whether or not to take the vaccine should not be made out of anxiety or fear. The Bible tells us that, "God has not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). The Bible also tells us that fear involves torment (1 John 4:18). But there is no fear and there is no torment in going to God in prayer and asking Him for guidance. God instead offers us His peace and He is able to guard our hearts and minds against all anxiety and fear. When you pray about whether to take the vaccine, ask God for His wisdom and guidance. The Bible tells us that "if any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5, NKJV). Ask God to give you wisdom and direction for your life and to help you make the right decision for you and your family. God will give you what you ask for and you will have peace over your decision.
3) Don't dwell on it, Trust God in it
Romans 14:5
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
We must each be convinced in our own minds what the right decision is for us and our families in regards to whether or not to take the covid-19 vaccine. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer that is right for every person or every family. However, whether you and your family choose to take the vaccine or not, put your complete trust in God. If you choose not to take the vaccine, trust in God that He is able to protect and heal you and your family. If you choose to take the vaccine, trust in God that He is able to protect you from severe side effects from the vaccine itself. Whatever you do, trust God. Do not put all of your trust in a man-made vaccine. Do not put your trust in your own human wisdom. Psalm 118:8 states, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Regardless of your decision, be convinced in your own mind that after carefully considering it and after praying about it and asking God for wisdom and guidance, that you have made the right decision and there is no need for anxiety, worry, or fear. There is only need to continue to maintain your trust in God.
Pastor Tony L. Schachle, Jr.