The Perils of Lockdown

This past year has been one filled with alarming news of death, fear, lockdowns and limitations to what we can and can’t do; whether it be places we can go, the amount of people we can meet with (inside or out) and what we can do when we get there. The rule has been that we are to have no physical contact with anyone outside our household. The elderly living in care homes have had to be without physical and, in some instances even visual, contact with loved ones. Those classed as vulnerable, initially had to remain inside completely, for a long time until being let out but not permitted to go into shops! I am one classed as vulnerable. Just a few days prior to the last lockdown I was able to go out for a meal with a friend. I went out to eat and drink wine (moderately)! This happened to be just a few days before my birthday. If I had changed my mind at the last minute, I think I would have deeply regretted it! A month of being trapped inside followed! Even though restrictions are not as heavy as they were, there is still an amount of fear lingering in the air. On the one hand the figure of those infected is forever increasing, as is the one for the daily death toll but hairdressers, cinemas, gyms and other amenities are open. At what cost…

Another thing thrown into the mix are conspiracy theories, which are proliferating YouTube and other websites. I’ve put it in italics because that is the name that has been given to them but are they what they have been named? What puzzles me is that, nothing (or not enough) has been done to allay the fears of the people spreading these theories and those who hear them. Why is that? If there is no truth to them, why has nothing been said about each and every point rather than blocking things posted on Social Media. Everything said has been very plausible and can be backed up with Scripture. Think about that for a minute! Scripture was written over 400 years ago but the Book of Revelations seems to be outlining everything that is taking place and that is planned. Could it be coincidence?

There are doubts around the following:-

• All deaths are negative but, apparently, there are more caused by the flu on an annual basis. We’ve never experienced lockdowns, damaged economies and mass testing as a result;
• Are we being used as guinea pigs on a larger scale;
• Continual change in races and reasons for infection;
• Distribution BEFORE completion of testing?;
• Documentaries ignite fears about the virus and vaccine, but they are allowed;
• Fluctuation of the ages affected by this virus;
• Safety of the vaccine;
• Short timeline of creation;
• Where did Coronavirus come from?; and
• Why hasn’t it been investigated and results relayed to everyone

These are the ones that immediately cross my mind! Not having answers to these questions causes concern. Do we not deserve our fears to be eased. For example, the theory regarding race could be that the people contracting it are the ones in close contact with those who have the virus, i.e there is a high proportion of the BAME group that are within professions like nursing. In the beginning, adequate was not available. I feel there is much food for thought, which I find myself continually dining at. I try to remember, The Word of our Most High God shall not return to Him void. Everything that He has said is to take place, will take place. Therefore, is there anything that can be done? Should we just let it be?

Being Of One Accord

However, despite all the doom and gloom, I am still able to worship and meet up with like-minded individuals. In fact, I have been able to meet up with other Christians more consistently and frequently than before! How have I been doing this, you may ask? Online! I’ve found this has kept me grounded in the sense that we’ve been able to continually pray for each other as individuals for our families, friends and the world as a whole. Now, we have not been doing so physically, BUT He is Omnipresent! So, whereby we have not been meeting physically in a room or building, we are via the airwaves! I can say our spirits are meeting as one. Strength in numbers!

God is our refuge and strength (mighty and impenetrable),

A very present and well-proved help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change

And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas,

Though its waters roar and foam,

Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah.

Psalm 46:1-3 (Amplified Bible)

‘Do not fear (anything), for I am with you;

Do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you;

I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand (a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation).’

Isaiah 41:10 (Amplified Bible)

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace (who imparts His blessing and favour), who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you (making you what you ought to be).

1 Peter 5:10 (Amplified Bible)

Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the glory of God, that He is, as said before, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient; He blesses; He guides; He heals; He leads; He loves; He protects and He is sooo good. That’s not all! He clothes us in His armour, so we are protected both spiritually and physically. We all have a choice of what we spend our time doing. Make sure you use your time wisely or you could live to regret it!