My church have been amazing during the lockdown period providing for people’s needs both practically and spiritually. One of the ways they have met our needs spiritually is by providing a daily reflection which takes place three times a week through their YouTube channel. People from church have provided us with words of encouragement and wisdom during a period that has been hard to navigate at times.

Someone at church then approached me to see if I wanted to provide a thought for their daily reflection. Being given this opportunity was exciting, but it was also daunting at the same time. What could I possibly provide that may be able to help others through what they are experiencing? I find in these moments, God has a way of showing us what He wants others to see. This post is the result of What God has shown me through this lockdown period. To see the YouTube version click here.

I bet we have all had a wide range of feelings during this Covid-19 crisis. At times we have probably felt angry with the situation we are faced with. Or maybe you have felt sad. Maybe there were times when you felt nervous or anxious about the unknown. Sometimes we may have even had a little cry and experienced all sorts of emotions in between. 

And it’s all ok. Everything we are feeling is all ok. There is no wrong emotion to feel when we are in the middle of a crisis. What you are feeling right now is the right response to feel, and it’s OK. 

At the end of the day, we didn’t see this crisis coming. It came upon us so quickly and we were thrown into a whirlwind of dos and don’ts. There is not one person who has not been affected by Covid-19. We may not have been physically affected, but certainly the restrictions that were put in place would have had an impact on us immensely. 

During this epidemic, I have found myself experiencing a range of emotions. From feeling happy and content when I have spent quality time with my family, to feeling extreme frustration when my kids cannot get along with each other. Life is not easy at the best of times. Throw in an epidemic into the mix and you probably have something that resembles my cake making. Absolute shambles! 

We then probably start to place expectations on ourselves because we think we should be able to cope with this. This is new territory though. The vast majority of us has probably never lived through an epidemic. Shops shutting down. Holidays cancelled. Schools closing. Jobs lost. Appointments rescheduled. Our lives put on hold. No wonder we were probably feeling overwhelmed. 

Right at the beginning, I felt so overwhelmed with it all. I had put so much pressure on myself to achieve everything that it nearly all came crashing down. Momentarily, I forgot who I could turn to in times like this to help me get through. I thought I could do it on my own, but I couldn’t. I was on my knees one day and just cried out, “I can’t do this anymore”.

As I knelt there feeling overwhelmed, that’s when I felt a gentle touch saying “You don’t have to”. It’s in our weakest moments that God shows His greatest strengths. When we feel weak with pain or stress, that is when we can expect God to reveal Himself. 

It’s in our weakest moments that God shows His greatest strengths. Click To Tweet

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians chapter 12:9:  

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Something to think about…

Living this life we have takes more than human strength. We can only get through this by the grace and power of God. Don’t do what I did and wait until you are on your knees crying out to Him. Take time now and ask Him to come into your heart. You will be amazed at how God will come into your brokenness and shine through those cracks in your life. 

Prayer

Lord, I know I am weak. but I also know that you use my pain and weakness to show your amazing strength. Please give me the knowledge that your grace is all I need. Help me be proud of my weaknesses, because they will show your strength and protection. Shine through me today, Lord, so that others may see the amazing power you can give. Amen