What are the ends of the over-thinking spectrum?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people are spending too much time alone, over-thinking our current circumstances.

We have witnessed some extreme thoughts and teachings ripping through society, and social media. There are teachers and preachers, bloggers and vloggers, pitching all sorts of predictions and prophecies.

In looking at the spectrum, the bookends of the over-thinking and false teaching seem to stem from one of two conclusions:

On one end, “It’s the end of the world!”

These folks might be talking about burying a sea can in the backyard, planning to bunker down for the apocalypse. This often stems from a fear of the unknown.

Over-thinking has led them to crisis-thinking.

If this is you, and you’re already in the sea-can, I’m impressed that you have Wi-Fi!

On the other end, “It’s all a hoax!”

In the worst case scenario, these folks might get wrapped up in the “Coronavirus Challenge,” taking selfies of themselves licking a toilet seat to prove the virus is a sham. This often stems from a rebellion against the unknown.

Over-thinking has led them to complacent-thinking.

If you’ve already taken the Coronavirus Challenge, you need to put a mask on, and seek medical attention immediately!

How does over-thinking take root?

Over-thinking is really a condition of the human heart. It begins in a healthy spot, with questions about the unknown. When life has changed drastically, we go looking for answers. We’re seeking truth. We need something to hang on to.

This isn’t a bad place to be. We should seek answers.

However, when we can’t find the answers we like, or we want, the human heart can spiral. And the bottom of that spiral is often over-thinking into the extremes. And thinking in extremes has repercussions; adding further internal crisis on one end, or total internal complacency on the other.

In our current circumstances, full of unknowns, it’s a good thing to ask big questions about life, faith, and eternity. It’s important to search for truth.

Nevertheless, we need to be careful who we listen to, and where we get our information. And we need to be careful that we don’t over-think COVID-19, leading ourselves to damaging outcomes.

Scripture to Help: 2 Peter 2:17-19

Today, we’re going to look at a passage of Scripture, written by the Apostle Peter at a time of great uncertainty. The year was A. D. 67-68. Most of the known world is under heavy Roman Imperial rule. There is ongoing persecution and even execution of Christians.

Peter is writing to address a massive problem of false teaching. People were being pulled toward extremes; both crisis-thinking, and complacency-thinking. He writes about the outcomes of travelling down these paths.

“These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.”

2 Peter 2:17-19

3 Damaging Outcomes (and How To Prevent Them)

1. We’re Still Thirsty

We go looking for answers because we’re thirsty for the truth. But extreme teaching and over-thinking don’t leave us refreshed. Peter uses the metaphor of a “waterless spring,” where we go to get a drink, but there’s nothing there. We’re left thirsty, desperate for a drink that satisfies us.

If we follow extreme teaching and over-thinking, have we really received answers that refresh us? Not at all! We’re left more thirsty for truth than ever before, with more questions than when we started.

Instead, let Jesus quench our thirst.

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

John 7:37-38

2. We’re Still In the Dark

We go looking for answers because want enlightened with the truth. But remember that extreme teaching and over-thinking is a spiral downward.

At the bottom, there is only “the gloom of utter darkness” as Peter describes. At the bottom, teaching and thinking that brings life, and peace are ignored because we can’t see it (or hear it) anymore.

We become blind to concrete evidence, sound advice, and ultimate truth, found in the Gospel.

Instead, let Jesus be our light.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

3. We’re Still In Bondage

We go looking for answers because we know in our hearts that the truth will set us free. However, it’s a deception that these extremes of false teaching and over-thinking will bring us freedom.

Peter states it clearly that, “They promise them freedom” but “whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.”

The bottom of the ‘end of the world’ thought process is the bondage of fear and crisis. (Maybe literally, enslaved in a sea-can.) The bottom of the ‘it’s a hoax’ thought process is the bondage of rebellion and complacency. (Maybe literally, enslaved to a ventilator.)

Instead, let Jesus bring freedom.

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

John 8:31-36

Have you over-thought COVID-19?

• Have you been pulled into thoughts of crisis, that the world is ending?
• Have you been pulled into thoughts of complacency, that it’s a hoax?
• Have you been pulled all over the place, lost, frustrated, with no idea where to turn?

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (Jn. 14:6) Think about Him, seek Him, and look to Him for answers.

Why? Because Jesus will not increase fear and crisis. Jesus does not increase rebellion and complacency. Instead, you will find thoughts that bring refreshment, enlightenment, and freedom.