As the rumours of the Coronavirus entering the UK became reality, my life like many others began to change. Firstly, my university classes were cancelled and my course was scheduled to continue online. Shortly after this my work closed. Next, church services moved to online. Before I knew it we were officially in quarantine. How long was this going to last? When would I able to see my friends and family again? When would life return to normal?
During the first week my mindset changed from day to day. Some days I would feel positive about the situation. I knew we wouldn’t be in lockdown forever and we would eventually be able to see loved ones again. During those days I felt okay with the circumstances and I was happy enough to carry on with my work for university. However, there were days when I felt the opposite. All my thoughts were negative, I didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning, I felt like there was no point, no reason to get up, nothing to get up for. The worst part of this was the downward spiral I went on. Once the negative thoughts set in it became hard to climb out of them again. When I realised this, I tried to avoid feeling unhappy about the situation, but we don’t always have total control over these feelings. After less than a week of these feelings, God stepped in.
Between getting up early for university, going to work and socialising I didn’t leave much time for my quiet time with God. But because everything had come to a halt, I now had an abundance of time. So, I decided to use it. With the inspiration of my older sister I began to take notes from my Bible reading. This has helped me to focus my thoughts and to really think about what I was learning. After a few days of these morning quiet times, I came to a conclusion, a solution from God. I was going to let go of being sad. This decision seems simple, but it has given me a new perspective. Why should I be miserable about something that I have no control of. It is okay to feel upset about something but it’s not okay to dwell on it. God has control of our current crisis so why should I worry? I know this is peace from God because it is not something you can create yourself; it is a fruit of the Spirit. However, we can only let God in when we let go.
In Matthew 7 we read, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ (KJV). We cannot stand alone. Ultimately, we have to go to God.
Learn to see the things you have been blessed with. For me it has been being able to spend more time with my Heavenly Father. Focus on the blessings and pray about your concerns.
