‘More than the incoming super typhoon, it was the incessant barrage of looming danger, destruction and death from the broadcast media that had gripped Metro Manila residents…’
SEVERAL supermarkets in Marikina and Pasig were swamped with panic-buyers last Saturday and early Sunday. Good thing super typhoon Pepito, poised to bring heavy rains and flooding in many parts of Metro Manila as per Pagasa forecast, dissipated, sparing the National Capital Region.
Days before, radio and TV anchors and commentators had been delivering strong warnings on the expected vicious onslaught of Pepito which, according to weather updates, included the National Capital Region lying directly on its path. More than the incoming super typhoon, it was the incessant barrage of looming danger, destruction and death from the broadcast media that had gripped Metro Manila residents, dispersing widespread fear and anxiety.
Christian churches and communities stormed heaven again with prayers for protection and deliverance from the disastrous swath of Pepito, and indeed our Awesome, Powerful and Loving God came through again.
Many who went on their knees before God had invoked Jesus walking on the sea while a storm raged and suddenly ceased when He came on the boat of his fear-stricken disciples. Or, when He rebuked another storm at sea to “be still” after he was roused from sleep by some of his disciples who thought they were all going to drown. The latter incident has echoed through the centuries with his admonition: “Why are you afraid?? Why do you have little faith?”
Not many Christians have embraced the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus as an actual victory for real believers, culminating with them sitting with “Christ at the right hand of the Father.” The following passages point to Jesus as the eternal overcomer, not only of sin but of evil and plagues that continue to stalk the planet.
He has defanged and defeated Satan and his demons and because “we were raised with Christ and are seated with Him in the heavenly places,” we are similarly victorious and empowered to overcome sicknesses and pain, emotional and mental distresses, as well as actual threats to our life, well-being, safety and comfort. 1 Peter 3:22 – “Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities and powers subject to him”. Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. “
Fear, depression, anxiety and worry over a coming typhoon and flooding, as well as over a current deadly ailment such as cancer or liver disease, should not fill the lives of real believers. There is the power of truth that resides in every believer who should be very aware that Biblical truths “set us free” and render him strong, courageous, restored and unshakeable. Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” “The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall be afraid?”
It had to take President Bongbong Marcos, in a press briefing a day before Pepito’s first landfall attended by top officials of concerned agencies, as well as local public officials, to create a high level of immediate and intensified preparedness in most parts of Luzon and Eastern Visayas. His major concern was the lack of available information in coastal areas threatened by deadly storm surges as he warned of a repeat of the massive devastation wrought by super typhoon Yolanda.
The President’s urgent instructions to distribute new maps to instill alertness and prompt evacuation on possible storm surges in such areas caused some sort of panic among the officials present, who knew there wasn’t ample time to comply.
In the aftermath of the recent super typhoon Kristine, the President could not hide his disgust over the failure of disaster and weather agencies, especially Pagasa, to identify and evacuate people in areas prone to landslides. He was referring to the landslide that buried and killed 20 residents in a town in Talisay, Batangas at the height of Kristine.
