Yep, the one statistic I hadn’t wanted to contribute to was the Covid stats. Yet here I was, testing positive. After being admitted to the hospital, I felt the loneliness of isolation, especially after my phone died. Aren’t we just helpless without our phones? My goodness. In the quiet, I took some time to reflect. Life’s experiences are meant to teach us, and I was determined to take something away from this experience. Here’s what I learned:

1) Choices have consequences. I chose not to be vaccinated and although this is the worst illness I’ve ever endured, I stand by my choice. Even God gave us choice, rather than forcing His will upon us. Why should any entity have the right to take mine or yours away? I am now fully immunized by God’s design with natural antibodies which are way more effective than the vaccine. I gratefully count myself among the 99.95% Covid survivors.

2) In this era, we must be our own advocates. Sometimes, that means asking for help. I wish I’d gone in to get checked sooner. There are solutions and medications to help us. Ask for help. There is nothing heroic about being sick longer than necessary.

3) There’s always some give and take. Fortunately, I had been researching this virus prior to my own crisis, so when I found myself listening to the protocols for treatment, I was prepared to make my own decisions. When hospital staff asked me about Remdesivir and intubation, I refused. As far as the uncomfortable mesh hospital underwear, well, they are temporary. Just go with them.

4) No matter how sick you are, if God’s not done with you, you’re going to live to see another day. I began seeking His purpose for the next portion of my life. I strongly felt God giving me a new task, so I focused on that, not the illness. It helped me look forward with expectation.

5) Do things that feel good; wash your face, put on lotion, pray and quote Scripture, and enjoy the quiet. I realized I needed more quiet space in my life. Doing things that made me feel good gave me energy to advocate for myself when I felt so awful.

6) Laughter is great medicine. Now that you own the remote control (some of us don't at home...ha), find something funny to watch on TV. I found the Golden Girls on the Hallmark channel. It felt so good to just laugh.

7) Keep things in perspective. Yes, Covid is a killer, just like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, but death is a part of life. We cannot allow any illness or setback to dictate our lives. If we do, we can lose sight of why we are living. I was reminded to not waste valuable time over pettiness or divisive issues. Instead, focus on Christ and His purpose, because there will always be people who want to suck us dry with their negativity. God is counting on us to stand for Him and His children, no matter who disagrees, including standing for freedoms to make our own health care decisions.

8) Remember, we are never just another statisticto our Heavenly Father. Matthew 10:30–31 states: “And even the very hairs on your head are numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (NIV). God deemed the world incomplete without each of us. No matter what we face, even in an isolated Covid hospital room, we are never alone and need not be afraid.