There was a male patient in a hospital room who was later joined by another patient who was blind and extremely ill. Every day the patient who was in the room prior would skillfully articulate how perfect the weather was. He gave vivid descriptions of how majestic the trees stood as they lined the park across from the hospital grounds. He talked with great enthusiasm about the children running, jumping, swirling and giggling as they careened down the huge slides. He often described the people below, what they were wearing and what they were doing as they walked by on the streets below. Every day the other patient looked forward to hearing his roommate bring life into their dull and lifeless environment. Eventually, the patient by the window was discharged so his roommate, feeling much stronger, immediately requested that he be transferred to the bed near the window. He asked the attendant to describe what was going on outside. He was then informed that there was a huge wall outside the window thus blocking the view. It is amazing what effect hope has on our mind and body when our focus is not on our current circumstances. Hope deferred makes the heart sick but when the desire comes it is the tree of life. Proverbs 13:12. We have all been through challenges, issues and or trauma in life. However, the truth is that every one of us will taste defeat and disappointment at some time or the other; no one escapes. I will say also that as long as we are alive the possibility exists that there will be future opportunities for growth. Yes, that is what I call challenges. If we look at our issues as opportunities for growth as oppose to thinking that God is trying to kill us, or we cannot take it any longer then we would have a different perspective and handle the situation differently. Recently a friend returned my call as I had tried reaching her several weeks prior to no avail. She became a widow in 2015 so I always call to check on her. She is an older woman for me but she is full of life and is very spunky. She is also kind, loving, friendly and madly in love with her Savior. During our conversation she shared with me that she was becoming very agitated. She said “Sheron I do not see anyone because of the COVID. All I see are the walls in my house and I am always inside except for doctor’s appointments or trips to the supermarket.” She also mentioned that her sleep pattern has been disrupted and this was too much already. She went on to voice her frustration by saying that there are so many things that she wants to get done but is beginning to feel trapped. Many people live by themselves and at a time like this they can feel extremely lonely and isolated. Think about this! The Creator of this vast universe created us for his good pleasure Philippians 2:13. He came down in the cool of the day walking through the Garden of Eden talking to Adam and Eve Genesis 3:8. Don’t you think that God wants us to be relational? There is a definite reason why God said it is not good for man to be alone. Why is it not good that man should be alone? We are wired to be in relationship and if that is missing in our lives it can negatively affect our mental and physical health. Isolation is linked to depression, cognitive decline, poor sleep and weaker immune system and potential heart problems. This is exactly why prisoners are punished by being placed in isolation. It is definitely a form of harsh punishment. It has the ability to break the human mind and can drive them insane. We are mind, body and soul, all three in one. There are a lot of people who are hurting now and even more since the COVID lockdown. Many are wearing physical masks as well as emotional masks but they are emotionally distraught. In I Samuel chapter 30 when David and his men returned from battle they discovered that the Amalekites had invaded their camp and stole their wives, children and their belongings. The men were so battle fatigue and discouraged that they wanted to stone David. Even though David himself was exhausted and distressed he went to the Lord for direction. That is what we need to do when we feel our backs are against the wall. When hopelessness, loneliness and frustration set in we need to know that our Lord is near to those who call upon Him Psalm 145:18. In Psalm 42 we see again where David was discouraged and depressed and what did he do? He started speaking to his soul. Soul why are you discouraged, hope in God. We must learn to speak to our soul and to our circumstances when situation wants to get the better of us. When we have a physical wound such as a broken leg or hand it is, of course, very obvious. People will more than likely ask you how is the healing coming along. However, when we are emotionally broken it is much harder to detect. While mingling in a crowd you can be emotionally distraught, be laughing and seem to be having fun but you are drowning in sorrows, guilt, shame, fear or loneliness. The Enemy of our soul preys on our vulnerability. He knows our weaknesses. So what can we do differently to break up the monotony during these COVID shutdown? How can we shed light in the dark crevices of our lives? Jesus Christ is the Light so if you have a relationship with Him, you also have the authority to speak to the darkness in your lives and watch it dissipates. You serve a Mighty God in whom there is no darkness neither shadow of turning James 1:17. You are a child of the most High God which means that when emotional challenges come, and they will come, you already have the solution. Turn to the Light that is already in you, child of God. You might not feel it but thank God it is not a feeling. It is faith believing that the word of God is true and it applies to your situation as well. The Enemy goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour according to I Peter 5:8. You are not lion meat. Use the word of God as a repellent. The Enemy hates the word of God. Prior to Jesus Christ starting His earthly ministry, remember that the spirit took Him into the wilderness after forty days and forty nights of fasting. Every temptation that was presented to the Lord by the Enemy, Jesus counteracted it by saying “It is written.” Fight back with the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says for the word of God is quick, powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword… CONSOLATION: There are always options to what we can do to counteract the negativity in our lives. We have to be intentional to be outward focus. You might be the one who is feeling isolated and out of sorts because life has been radically altered. We can look around and see that the shift is evident. All our lives have been altered in some way or the other. I have been sensing a shift in the atmosphere for many years but now we can see the physical manifestation. However, our will to live and strive has to be stronger than the forces coming against us. Instead of us focusing on what we do not have or what we long for, take a moment and thank God for what we do have. I recommended to my friend that she takes a look at the blessings around her. There are many wonderful people in her life, a roof over her head, food in the refrigerator and money is not an issue whereas so many people are lonely and hungry. What we can also do is to commit to some kind of exercise. Since we are not able to go out that much due to certain state restrictions or we might not feel safe enough regardless of the stated guidelines, we can do stretch exercise, floor exercise, aerobics, etc. in our homes. We can also make more effort to reach out to others via phone calls, social media, WhatsApp whichever platform you are comfortable accessing. Take the time that we have now more than ever to encourage someone else. What I have found over the years of intense battles is that when I focus on others and help them with their problems then my problems seem less intense. I get joy from helping others. When the intention and motives are right, what a blessing it brings into our lives. On Friday, March 6, 2020 while we were singing in a worship service the song What a Wonderful Name it is, the Lord spoke into my spirit saying, “My Name is greater than Corona Virus.” We serve a great God indeed. In Isaiah 43:2 it reads, “When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” NIV. We all have scars from the wars we have gone through over the years, however, some are well hidden. They might be invisible to the human eye but not to your Heavenly Father. Love you people of God!