What has your experience of lockdown been like?
Have you managed to have company, or had to face being alone? Maybe too much company, or too little? Have you ended up having to self-isolate?
One of the things I’ve been dreading about this Covid season is the possibility of having to isolate alone.
Don’t get me wrong. I love solitude. I’m an introvert, and time alone is how I recharge. I need it regularly. Just, not too much of it.
I’ve tried hard to avoid it, and the Lord has largely protected me from it. Having a support bubble has been a true provision through this season.
But the other week, I had to face my fear of being alone for day after day… when the sweet little six year old in our support bubble got a cough and we all had to go into isolation, and I suddenly couldn’t leave my flat.
As things turned out, it only lasted a few days. The all-clear came back, and I was free to leave my flat again.
But, before that, I had to face being alone a lot longer than I wanted to be… and the fear of it lasting a long time. And I prayed it through, and walked through it, and the Lord helped me (after all, trusting in Christ as Saviour and following Him as Lord, I’m His forgiven child, as you can be too!), and I found out a few helpful things.
I thought it might bless you if I shared them. 🙂
So these are some thoughts from my self-isolation season. I hope they encourage you, too, through this Covid season!
Not Really Alone
I don’t know about you, but I found myself knowing in theory that Jesus is with me, but in practice wishing I had a ‘real person’ for company.
But the Lord can break into your thoughts with startling clarity, wisdom and help!
I told Him, “Lord, I’m afraid of being alone.”
I looked up at that moment- straight at a painting on my wall that said,
‘”‘Fear not, for I am with you;'”‘ (Isaiah 41:10a)
A direct answer from Someone I can’t see, but wow, is He with me!
It became more real to me in those days. Jesus is a real Person. No, I can’t see Him. In those moments, I really wished I could! But He’s just as real as my parents or my best friend. And He’s really with me, all the time. I am never actually alone. If I could see Him, I’d realise how real He is… far closer, far more wonderful than anyone else I could see!
And so I gradually chose to begin to believe it. I chose to believe that, even though I couldn’t see Him, He was (and is) with me in my flat: another Person Who can be depended on.
And I was aware of Him helping me, soothing me; encouraging me. And, even though I couldn’t see Him, I saw His help in tender ways.
He Can And Does Provide
When I need something, He can actually provide it! He provided through friends encouraging me. Through ideas of how to occupy my time. Through phone and video calls. And, in one low moment, I got a note through my door from the neighbours, asking if I needed anything, as I was isolating. It meant so much, and it was an encouragement from the Lord.
Soaking in the Truth
I’ve gradually learned something key, and it’s really helped me. When I’m struggling in my mind, I need to soak my mind in the truth! I can listen to audio Bible, or teaching, or an audio book! I can feed my soul with truth, or sing it out in worship, and my heart will be strengthened, and my faith will grow.
Challenging the Thought
I’m learning that a single thought can lead to a whole load of thoughts and a downward spiral… or it can be challenged and replaced with truth, especially truth from God’s Word. And I’m learning that challenging thoughts that are untrue and unhelpful, and replacing them with truth, makes a big difference!
Reaching Out for Help
I’m learning it’s ok to ask for help. To text my friends and ask them to pray. To call someone to talk things through. Friends praying and texting meant so much during that time, and they were a gift from the Lord.
Online Company is Company Too
I know it’s not the same. Boy, I’m guessing we all know that in this crazy Covid season! But online company sure is something, and a real blessing. Just seeing a face on the screen, and talking and sharing, helps so much.
Keeping Busy
Doesn’t it help to do something; to focus on something, even if the world is crazy? Working from home, doing the dishes, cleaning the house, keeping going with my to do list… even just a simple task can help bring peace and focus into a strange time. And it helped me, even when it seemed like I’d be stuck at home forever. Because, actually, I wasn’t stuck at home forever- and, when I got out, those jobs were already done!
Choosing to Relax!
This is something the Lord has really encouraging me with lately. I am such a worrier! And I often sense that He is encouraging me to just relax in my spirit, and trust Him, and He will provide. And I’m learning that that sometimes means, actually, just chilling out and even allowing myself to do something fun! 🙂
Taking a Mental Break
When I went into full-time ministry, the Lord gave me a gift. I was far too highly-strung, and working so hard, and a number of friends encouraged me that I needed a way to rest and switch off. So I prayed about it, and the Lord showed me what works for me: reading children’s story books. And they are such a gift. I’m pretty selective- I like books that are pure and wholesome. But I’ve been collecting them for a while now, and I have some dear second hand stories. And, in this crazy Covid world, escaping into a story is such a beautiful, reassuring, re-settling thing to do.
I also enjoy some films, and I’ve learned that watching a well-known, well-loved story when I’m feeling overwhelmed by a crazy world will often sweetly calm and soothe my heart. 🙂
One Moment at a Time
This is something the Lord is teaching me: not to try to see too far ahead, or to take it all at once. Just one moment at a time, leaning hard on Him. I’m finding that the things I’ve worried about are generally ok when I actually get to them. The Lord has gone before and prepared the way. And I’m learning that not looking too far ahead (especially at this crazy time, when things are changing so fast!), helps a LOT.
Remembering to Be Joyful
When I’m anxious, I find it hard to relax and just enjoy the moment. But it’s something the Lord has been encouraging me to do. And, when I was anxious on my own in isolation, I sensed His encouragement to just relax and enjoy what I was doing… or enjoy happy things I could do where I was.
After all, if God is in control and He is going to provide, why do I need to worry? 🙂
The Lord helped me through those days of isolation. I was okay. His presence was close to me, and He led me gently through each moment. It wasn’t at all as bad as I’d feared. He provided, as He always does.
And yes, those days ended. The all-clear came through, and I was free to go out again. Looking back, I’m glad it happened. I learned a lot, and I’m not so afraid now of having to do it again. So, really, it was a blessing from the Lord- and it wasn’t actually so bad after all!
So those are some of the things that helped me in my self-isolation. I hope they help you too! 🙂
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Caroline Abblitt 