Infected with Covid-19, Contagious for Jesus
by Ivan Chua
22 March 2021
I'm up to "trend" for once, at least. Not because I know the latest pop songs or because I am familiar with the latest fashion. I'm up to trend because I contracted COVID 19.
People often talk about the physical effects and symptoms of the virus but hardly anyone ever tells you of the effects it has on you mentally. The moment I received confirmation from the hospital that my Covid-19 test result was positive, I had flashes of images in my mind: who I had seen or met recently, as well as my family members who stay under the same roof as me. The feeling of guilt was so overwhelming that it covered up any worry I had over my own health and how the virus might affect me.
Ultimately, I thank God for this episode. It was another turning point in my spiritual life. It gave me time where I could really sit down, quit the "I'm busy" mentality and just meditate on God's Word. I thank God for the constant support from the church whom I call family. They were upholding me in prayer daily, sent messages of concern and even volunteered to provide me with three meals a day. I acknowledge that it is all by the grace of God that I'm able to digest the situation with peace in my heart.
I thank God that after days of quarantine at home, I was brought to a quarantine centre at Serdang, where almost 1000 patients gathered in a hall. I was grateful for the opportunity to encourage and pray for patients while I was there. It reminds me that even in places of difficulty, God can use us as vessels to speak to the needs and into the lives of people around us. I'm amazed with how things and plans come together in God's hand and that He can use us in whatever situation we are in.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4
