The Corona Virus: Symptom of a Frustrated Creation
The heavenly destiny which all believers in Jesus Christ look forward to does not guarantee that our brief, earthly existence occurs in a safe world. Our journey to glory occurs in a frustrated, and sometimes very dangerous world.
The world in which we live, that is, the subhuman creation, suffers pain and misery. The apostle Paul is clear on the misery of a broken human race, but he is not oblivious or insensitive to the fact that the creation itself is deeply frustrated. Observe:
For the creation was subjected to frustration…
Roman 8:20
The creation lives with constant frustration. But, as a good physician, Paul explains why the creation is frustrated, what happens when the frustration hits overload, and why the creation is unable to cure itself.
But first, let’s remember the impact of frustration on our own bodies. The medical world has documented the damage inflicted on our physical bodies when we live day to day with unending frustration. Frustrated people are frequently prone to sickness, weakness, and fatigue. They channel needed nutrients away from essential organs to nurse those frenzied, emotional frustrations. The overloaded stress on the bodily organs builds until something breaks down. This is why frustrated people are not healthy and they, too, like the creation, can reach saturation points and become dangerous.
Chronic frustration is why the creation gets sick and can become a dangerous place to live. The creation exists with unrelenting frustration. But why is the creation frustrated? The creation is unable to reach the goal for which it was designed. It was originally evaluated by the Creator as good,[1] beneficial and helpful to the human race. But humanity’s fall into a state of sin has partially sabotaged that goodness.[2] So, the creation is not as it should be, nor what God intended it to be. It[3] longs to achieve its intended purpose, but is handcuffed and, therefore, is annoyed and frustrated. Ever since the fall, the creation is prevented from achieving its full purpose. So, it exists in a chronic state of dissatisfaction and frustration.
Eventually its frustration reaches a breaking point. The creation erupts and becomes a dangerous place for us to live. The pandemic we are observing is a symptom of an overloaded, frustrated creation.
And why can’t the creation just heal itself? It is in slavery. That’s right. The creation is in bondage to a powerful master, the process of decay and corruption. Paul explains.
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its slavery to corruption… Romans 8:20-22
Slavery to corruption means that it is helplessly enslaved to an intolerable master called corruption and decay. Corruption and decay rule its daily cycles and destroys its purpose. Decay, the result of death, leaves its imprint on every facet of the creation. Corruption rules and the helpless creation cannot free itself from its powerful master. No wonder it exists in a chronic state of frustration.
Then the frustration reaches an unbearable limit, a breaking point, and the creation blows it stack or gets really sick.
But Paul teaches us that both our pain and the frustration sin has caused the creation is not meaningless, its suffering is not pointless. Like a good physician, he shares hope, the confident expectation of better things ahead. The path of suffering both we and the creation presently walk leads assuredly to endless and unimaginable glory.
The creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Romans 8:21
The believer and the creation can live in hope. We are both destined for future glory. That future glory is defined as freedom, final deliverance from death, from slavery to decay, and from frustration. Just imagine! No more frustrations! And no more creational temper tantrums! No more viruses.
This future hope is why Paul began his paragraph with the following perspective:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed. Roman 8:18
Suggestions for Use
When your children, grandchildren, disciples, or unbelieving friends or family ask you why God would allow a pandemic, you might ask them how they feel or how they have responded when they are feeling frustrated and have no hope for resolution in sight. What does it feel like to be constantly frustrated?
Consider the damaging impact you make on your relationships when your frustrations are petty, self-focused, and born out of greed, guilt, or an over-inflated opinion of yourself, your views, or your importance. Think about the virus created in your own marriage or family when they have to walk on eggshells around you, lest you blow up or experience a melt-down. Seek out a Christian counselor who is able to help you root out the cause of your frustrations.
Consider the damage occurring to your own body, God’s temple, when you are chronically frustrated with life and people. Are you a hypochondriac, always frantic about catching the next bug? Are you frequently sick or chronically, physically fatigued? Chronic frustration is a fast track to poor health. Do you really wish to continue in a state of poor health as you grow older?
Frustration always says more about the one frustrated than about those they are frustrated with.
May God give you overflowing grace to overcome frustrations and understanding as to why the creation’s health breaks down and becomes a source of danger. Finally, let’s all look forward with hope when we and the creation itself will be fully free to fulfill the purpose for which Jesus created us. To Him be the glory!
Thank you for reading.
Photo Credit: Jerry Smith.
[1] Each reference to the word “good” (Tov) in Genesis 1-2 has the idea of being beneficial and helpful to human beings. The author describes God as a loving father who knows and provides what is good for his creatures. The word Tov (“good”) is one of the key threads used to tie together the narrative of Genesis 1-3.
[2] See Genesis 3:18-19.
[3] Paul personifies the creation in his discussion.