The other day I went over to get my medicines for another three months. Before that, I am wondering what might happen during the nationwide lock down period in our city. A little bit of worrying over my medication supply chain.
If you’re an ardent reader of this site you’ll know me. So, I’m not going into details of myself again and again. This post is not focusing only on one but any kind of chronically sick people. Here I added some of my issues for your better understanding although it’s not worth mentioning.
Many times I write of our privilege living of being chronic as we found a deeper meaning of life and God’s presence – abiding love and grace, although with a certain amount of fluctuations in our journey.
Question of Vulnerability:
There were many queries in the online community of whom we were suffering the same chronic illness. The question asked by most of the members is about Vulnerability.
Our online Community experts advised that we are not the directly vulnerable sections as long as there are medicine and good mental health through the crises. I hope none of us are facing a scarcity of medicines due to economic slowdown even in the time to come.
Supporting each other:
I understand that it is difficult to write or encourage each other like normal times. Specifically, for people with a neurological disorder and outwardly painful illness, it is hard to have the same energy as before.
People pour in their thoughts; their practices, and the lifestyle they lead before the Virus, here COVID-19, really struck them. But when the destruction and despair of the COVID-19 are rampant, some retreated. They hardly showed up again.
But let’s keep on encouraging each other for the love of God. (1 Thess. 5:11)
Riding the Storm:
I would like to lay out some of the things we’ve been through in this tumultuous period. The fluctuation of emotions and/or faith, during this time, is happening. It is the battleground of a chronically ill person even in better days. The Lord will calm the storm in his time.
Just reminding each other – he is riding the boat with us is sufficient for us to get calm because we will get to the shore with him, one day. (John 6:16-21)
Here please note that we are safe under the Wings of the Lord. (Psalms 91)
So, let’s fight it by staying closer to our God. We will win the fight NOT with our might but with the might of the Lord who crushes all barriers when he died and rose again in all Mightiness.
Stronger Version Required:
My wife worked at the hospital. Some of the departments can’t simply stop functioning.
There are some concerns about my daily activities. Sometimes I need to pick and drop my wife at work.
I need to supervise my children in their online classes, which is somewhat different from my normal routine although I enjoyed sitting with them.
In this time of distress, a stronger version of us is needed. In my view, we should perform as many tasks as possible in this period as we don’t know whether a bigger storm is going to sweep us. When we bow before the Lord together in the night, casting our anxiety on him, he had lifted us.
Keep the Faith:
More than me there severe chronic health conditions, which are to be taken care of. We may or may not get in contact with COVID-19. Yet it’s simply doubling or countering the process of their treatment.
Sometimes it’s nearer as it began to grow near our neighborhood. It will be the same as yours. What if we need to rush into the ER in the wee hours, which I believe would not happen, it’s beyond the thinkable events. So, let’s leave it at that.
We are blessed to take rest under the wing of the Most High!
God knows what is happening. All things come from the Lord. He will work his ways accordingly. And yet we must remember nothing lasts forever on earth, including us. Just keep the faith!
Angels of God as our Care-giver:
Sometimes I am anxious that my wife who is my caregiver also might get infected with the novel Coronavirus. Quarantine is somehow unthinkable for us. If she is not with me, then I’ll become more anxious. It’ll be the same for many. It only depends on who your caregiver is. And it is also sad to assume many chronically ill people will face the same situation all over the world.
Yet we need to stay strong mentally. Sing hymns, and not staying too focused on things that are not taking place. The angels of the Lord will set up camps around us and guard us. (Psalms 34:7)
Struggling with Loneliness:
Almost everyone quips ‘you are not alone’ when there is something worse and unexpected twist and turns befall our journey. It is true; none can’t deny it.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
If it’s not the time for me yet, I’ll stay safe. Since many times before we can be taken. so we get ready yet lived responsibly.
Treatment on-hold:
For people with severe autoimmune disease treatment on-hold must be disheartening. Even in my slightest thought of it, I feel for you. More than me our God is compassionate towards you.
When the available treatment may not be able to cure us. Or, in the least makes us hold longer onto this earthly body; what more could our treatment on-hold cause to the body is beyond one might know. He is four days late but still on time.
I even check all information I can which makes me feel safe. If we have mental health. Above all, we’re save in mighty hand. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Your comforts delight my soul. (Psalms 94:19
Good mental health by relying on our God is the need of the hour. God sees everything. He (God) heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalms 147:3)
Through the Uncertainty:
Certain things are uncertain, but we don’t fear uncertainty. It is because we have God. We have God in our hearts. We have something to lean on. So, no matter what issues we encounter, we’re not afraid; we have something to lean on and we have motivation. We’re not like non-believers—they are helpless, they’re constantly running around, and they’re constantly afraid of what might happen.
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore. (Psalms 125)
Strength to Strength:
Today I want to end here with finding strength to strength as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. As we walk through this anxious time, let’s set our hearts towards our Lord. Let this be the end-result or byproduct when the pandemic ends, we will surely appear before the Lord with thanksgiving, a heart full of gratitude.
Psalms 84:5-7
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
Beautifully expressed !!
Thank you!