It’s true that you will never know the full extent of what people go through until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. So I thought I’d share my experience and thoughts regarding COVID-19, having recently experienced getting sick on top of being pregnant. By God’s grace, I have been able to heal without the assistance of the hospital or third party medication and truly, this experience has given an even greater reminder of how much we need to rely on the Lord for everything.
Being pregnant, I could not take pain medication for my fever, chills, coughing or aches and pains so I had to weather out my symptoms practically pro-bono. Chills and a fever stopped me from even wanting to take a shower due to the sudden change in temperature. Liquids and rest were key but when sleep evades you due to aches and pains and fatigue stops you from mustering any strength to go to the washroom, the road to recovery feels long and endless. I wasn’t able to stomach eating much which caused me to lose weight which was not what I needed during my pregnancy. These symptoms may not have been the worst things I’ve ever experienced in terms of sickness, but I can’t say they were a walk in the park either.
On top of having to experience these symptoms myself, I have also had to be on the other end as I watched my husband and both my parents having to be sent to the hospital to treat their symptoms which ranged from pneumonia to blood clotting and low oxygen levels. Watching your loved ones having to go through these symptoms is never easy. It can be worrisome to most and a panic attack for others.
But if you were to ask me how I’ve felt about everything through this whole journey so far, my answer would be pretty consistent and that would be a feeling of resolve and a sense of calm.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
I’m not trying to downplay anything that I or my family have been experiencing through this time nor would I ever tell another person that COVID is not something to watch out for. But while extended family members and friends kept saying “sorry” or “call 911”, their panic never registered to myself and I’m glad it didn’t.
When my husband and parents were admitted to the hospital, I knew it was out of my control and there was no point in worrying because it was in God’s hands and Him moving through the hospital staff to help my family. When I was feeling my worse and not knowing when or if my symptoms would let up, I knew there was nothing I could do on my own but rely on God to help my body recover. While others were worried about my baby, I knew there was nothing I could do on my end except to leave it to the Lord to protect my baby while I was weathering through the symptoms. Everything reminded me that I had no power on my own and my reliance needed to be on Christ no matter the circumstance or outcome. Was I prepared for the worse? Since I didn’t know what the outcome would be, it was not so much being prepared but understanding that whatever did happen, there’s always a reason and lesson and it would be for God’s will and glory. That gave me assurance and peace.
The support of family and friends helped through this time and I am so thankful to Christ for having such a wonderful support system. Prayer was and is always essential as per anything and the prayers of brothers and sisters in Christ were the unseen support that most people (especially Christians) take for granted.
Has this virus resulted in me fearing it? No it hasn’t. Despite going through everything, despite watching this virus affect immediate family and friends in different levels, despite it all, it’s not fear I have. It’s a heightened understanding of our frailty as human beings. It’s a reaffirmation that we are never 100% sure of what will happen the next day and understanding that the time we have in this world is short lived and not forever. It’s a reminder of how futile a lot of the things we do and complain about really are. It’s knowing that the only true assurance in this world is salvation in Jesus Christ and for those who do not truly know Him, they will continue to fear what will happen in our short-lived futures.
Despite it all, I will continue to say how wonderful and great Jesus is. He took mind to me who is sinful towards Him and has allowed me to experience His protection and peace through all this. As I continue to watch and wait on the Lord for my family and friends, I continue to pray for everyone else who is affected by COVID and other similar forms of sickness and viruses. Many don’t understand how fragile their existence is until they get sick in some way shape or form. But that realization of our frailty as humans should be the key reminder that we are not God nor are we unstoppable. So instead of worrying and fighting for the things in this world that are futile and temporary, we should come to a focus and realize what is truly important; having a deep and wonderful relationship with the true and almighty God that will last for all eternity.
