Results of the autopsy of intrusive and overreaching government policies related to the COVID -19 global pandemic are beginning to emerge – and they paint a disturbing and disastrous picture.
A just released Johns Hopkins study concluded lockdowns weren’t effective in reducing mortality rates – and in fact did great damage to the economy along with children’s mental, emotional and academic health. For far too many adults, forced isolation exacerbated loneliness, increased anxiety and drastically diminished quality of life.
These tragic findings are just the tip of the iceberg, I believe. In fact, I think it’s almost impossible to overstate just how detrimental the heavy-hand of Big Government will prove to be. I talk with lots of moms and dads, and they regularly lament how closed churches, schools and other shuttered programs fundamentally changed the way their sons and daughters worshiped, learned and socialized. Sadly, some of the changes could be permanent.
Surveys suggest there was a 70% increase in internet and screen time usage for kids – children who were already buried in their digital devices prior to the beginning of the pandemic. It only got worse – and many of the shifts have stuck. Instead of interacting in a classroom, kids were put in little boxes on a screen. Many tuned out altogether, playing Minecraft or watching another mindless YouTube video.
The great lesson, though, isn’t just that lockdowns don’t work – it’s that our freedoms are fragile, and they must be preserved and protected at great cost.
History demonstrates that freedoms are often lost little by little – and then all at once. Ironically, though, history also shows that human nature sometimes invites enslavement in the interest of “safety” and “security.”
In the book of Samuel, an account of ancient Israel, we read about the people asking for – even demanding – a king. They rejected their Heavenly King but wanted someone to tell them what to do, thinking such an arrangement would be easier and safer.
In reality, there is no true security or safety this side of eternal life. I’m not suggesting we act recklessly. Of course, we’re to take reasonable precautions – but fundamentally changing the way you live out of fear is almost always the wrong approach. More importantly, we should be turning to God, not government for counsel and direction.
Trading freedom for security is a fool’s wager. You never get what you pay for – and you’ll always regret what you get.
Let’s hope we’ve learned our lesson, especially since it has come at such a steep cost. Our hearts break for those who have lost loved ones to this wicked virus, and we remain heavily burdened for those who continue to pay a price for man-made decisions that have made a bad situation much, much worse.
Responsible freedom is the pathway out of this quagmire. But to all elected and appointed officials, allow me to be perfectly clear: As Americans, we don’t want a King. We already have one and His name is Jesus Christ.
Michelle says
-I feel Jim is looking more at the bigger picture. It’s good to be cautious. God gave us freedom to choose. He even doesn’t control us. He gives us choices. For our government to choose for us. Don’t get stuck on John Hopkins statement. Look at past history. Look at our national debt. Look at how our politicians live like kings while so many of our Americans are homeless and starving. Our system is quite broken. Government wants more control. I don’t think that is good for the American People.
Holly says
-Thank you for this great article. It is a welcome voice of reporting that provides your readers with facts and opinions leaving out the rants from both sides. A breadth of fresh air from my experience and my opinion.
Mike Macpherson says
-I don’t understand why Focus on the Family is wading into this. Our family likes adventures in odyssey, focus magazines, their pursuit of life, and the Focus Podcast but these articles make me not want to send another check. Jim may be a good pastor but he isn’t an infectious diseases doctor and didn’t provide the details on the study he is quoting. What’s next, free ivermectin with a financial gift? I just think it’s not core to your mission, divides, and makes Christian look foolish.
Movene Futch says
-I agree. Your article says it well.
Dennis Stringer says
-I agree with your reference to our KING! However, I’m surprised at your apparent whole-hearted acceptance of 1 survey [John Hopkins], which I have not read. I personally would hate to think what the “disturbing and disasterous picture” would have looked like without vaccinations and measures/mandates
involving face masks, at home learning, business restrictions, ect. I believe in your work and have donated when we can, and also believe the governments are all doing what they can to get past the effects of this pandemic.
Sincerely, Dennis Stringer