COVID-19 pandemic has caused too much panic all around the world. Many businesses have shuttered their doors, schools were locked down, sporting events canceled, travel was restricted, and many cities were placed on a curfew. People have reacted in different ways to the situation. Some have been dangerously careless, others were cautiously careful, and many others were extremely fearful.

The fearful ones have acted irrationally as a result of the disease. They buy items they won’t need in the next six months, locked themselves in the basement of their homes to avoid all forms of human contacts. They sold their stock holdings with the expectations of the apocalyptic scenario. Many companies are also laying off people just because of the uncertainties that the virus has created. This group was driven by fear.

Amid the chaos, some very few people are looking for opportunities that others are overlooking. These people are asking and analyzing what they could and should do to come out on top in the post COVID world. This group was driven by faith.

Why is it that when some people were panicking, some others remained calm and rational? How can we explain the rationale behind why some people were selling their stocks, and some few others were buying the same shares? Why do some people let fear drive their decisions, yet others embrace faith?

I observed the differences between these people and concluded that our belief systems play a significant role in how we react to happenings around us. Here are some differences between those that allow fear to faith to drive our decision.

“Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out.”
— Karl Augustus Menninger

You allow fear to drive you if you:

1. Believe that there will be no vaccine or cure: The Coronavirus is a global pandemic, killing young and old, men and women, and it is a no respecter of race, affecting white, black, and whatever colors in between. You are pessimistic because you think there will be no vaccine to prevent the spread of the disease or an effective cure that will further reduce the mortality rate.

2. Believe that there will be no recovery: The economy has fallen as a result of the pandemic. GDP has contracted, the unemployment rate is on the rise, and the stock market is way off the recent highs. You are cynical about the potential future recovery from the current downturn. You are thinking that this current situation will lead to depression and that there is still a prolonged tough time ahead.

3. Believe that the world is coming to an end: Since you think that there will be no vaccine or cure and that the economy will not recover, then you must also believe that coronavirus will lead to the end of the world. After all, we cannot continue to stay in isolation or practice social distancing forever. The only logical conclusion is that the world will gradually come to an end.

Faith is unseen but felt, faith is strength when we feel we have none, faith is hope when all seems lost. — Catherine Pulsifer

You allow faith to drive your decisions if you:

1. Believe in human ingenuity: You know that coronavirus is a challenge, but you believe that we will overcome the current difficulty. You believe in science, medicine, and that through human creativity, a cure will soon be found, and eventually, normalcy will return.

2. Believe in human resiliency: It’s tough for many people worldwide at this point, but you believe in the human resiliency. You see this event as only a temporary situation that we will get through someday soon.

3. Believe in innovation and human productivity: You believe that humans will continue to innovate and explore better ways of doing things. You know that innovation will boost productivity, and with higher productivity, more people will derive the benefits, and more wealth will eventually be created.
So, what is driving your decision at this point? Is it fear or faith?

I will leave you with a quote by Roy T Bennett, that says, “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” 
Do not let fear dictate your decisions; you must believe in a better, stronger, healthier, and more prosperous future.