The Zika virus outbreak in South and Central America is the latest in a series of health emergencies that have crossed international borders. The past 15 years have seen a spate of global health crises, including SARS, West Nile, Swine Flu, and Ebola. This latest virus spreads primarily through mosquitos and is not generally life-threatening for those infected. However, many are wondering whether it causes birth defects—particularly microcephaly—if it happens during pregnancy.
Because so little is known about the Zika virus and how it behaves, President Obama is planning to request nearly $2 billion for research and prevention. Still, the Center for Disease Control is not expecting widespread infection in the United States, and what infection that does occur will likely happen farther south.
Regardless of how far and wide the Zika virus goes, pregnant women and couples are certainly watching it closely. Events like this are beyond anyone’s control, and the potential consequences are heartbreaking, which makes this virus even scarier. It’s easy to spend each day filled with worry, especially if others keep talking about it, bringing it to mind. That kind of worry just adds fuel for the imagination to run wild.
But for pregnant women and couples who have put their lives in God’s hands, they can put their child in his hands too. The apostle Peter wrote, “Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you” (1 Peter 5:6). Living this “carefree” life doesn’t come naturally to anyone, but by God’s grace and the power of his Spirit, we can peacefully place our lives in his careful hands.
David was a good example of someone who constantly reminded himself of God’s care. Read his words in Psalm 27, and use them as a prayer to place your own life back into God’s hands today.
Psalm 27:1-5, 9-10, 13-14
Light, space, zest—
that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.
When vandal hordes ride down
ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs
fall flat on their faces.
When besieged,
I’m calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose,
I’m collected and cool.
I’m asking God for one thing,
only one thing:
To live with him in his house
my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
I’ll study at his feet.
That’s the only quiet, secure place
in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway,
far from the buzz of traffic.
. . .
Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:
“Be good to me! Answer me!”
When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”
my whole being replied,
“I’m seeking him!”
Don’t hide from me now!
You’ve always been right there for me;
don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
you’ve always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
but God took me in.
. . .
I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
Stay with God.