Coping with Quarantine Imposed Isolation

     This has been a very difficult time for the population not just of the United States, but of the world. The fear of exposure to Covid-19 and the issues that could arise with one of the worst being death causes distress. It leaves us feeling vulnerable and alone. I was considering how this should be approached. How do we deal with such a  difficult situations? I was reminded of Paul and Silas when they were imprisoned. They had been imprisoned in the inner dungeon and their feet were in stocks. They had been beaten, and this would be a demoralizing situation for most people. There would be the lose of hope and confidence. Would things ever come right again? For them this was a very real experience, but there are times when it is a figurative experience. At this time we have been placed in a situation where our lives feel turned upside down. Our normal routines have been discontinued and we find ourselves trying to cope in a beneficial way to circumstances that we have no control over. It is disheartening.
     Paul and Silas showed us a positive way to deal with this. Acts 16:25 tells us "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God: And the prisoners heard them." In the midst of the darkest night we can find relief in praying and singing praises unto God, because it is through Him that we have victory. Prayer and praise is the only way to gain victory over Covid-19.  "When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him" (Isaiah 59:19b).
     Praise God because we have the victory. As they prayed and praised there was an earthquake that shook the prison releasing the prisoners. Not just Paul and Silas but all the prisoners, and as a result people came to know Christ as their Savior. That is always the goal to be a light in a darkened world, and to be this light we must trust the Lord and praise Him for the victory. In this dark hour we need to stand. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day. and having done all to stand. Stand therefore...." ( Ephesians 6: 13-14a).
     We must stand in prayer and praise to gain the victory. We serve a miracle working God! Is anything to hard for God? There is nothing to hard for him if we stand in faith and trust. He can do all things and he can drive out Covid-19.