Keep on keeping on

As I go into my ninth week of being back home from uni with my family, coping with the disappointment of all I feel I’ve lost in this time remains a daily struggle! Whilst I’m (mostly) really enjoying having so much time with my sisters, I can’t help but think about all the things I had expected, and planned, to be doing over these months. Zoom calls are no real substitution for birthday celebrations, evenings in the garden with my parents have a very different vibe to beer gardens on a sunny day, and while I’m not sad to have had my exams cancelled, I was looking forward to a big night out at the end of them!

The unknown of when things will be back to ‘normal’, of when we’ll be able to be within 2 metres of each other, of when we can go to the supermarket to buy non-essential items (read: Cadbury’s chocolate and Party Rings) without feeling guilty makes it harder for those of us who love to have things to look forward to. I have to keep reminding myself (multiple times a day!) of Jeremiah 29: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Even when things are super weird, when plans are cancelled, expectations aren’t met and hopes are lost, God has got you.

My top tips for when you’re feeling down about all things you wish you were doing instead of being at home:

1. Let yourself feel all the feelings and say them out loud or write them down to make space in your head for good thoughts.

2. Pray!! God knows our hearts and He cares about how we’re feeling. Speak to Him honestly and ask for peace, comfort, a change in heart, strength in faith, to really trust God that good will come out of this, that we will have good times with all the people we love again soon.

3. Put things in persepctitive - adjust your expectations and try to appreciate the positive/non totally awful aspects of this situation!

Try to be kind to yourself, this is a crazy time and as our lockdown slowly begins to ease there will be even more things to adjust to. Psalm 34 says that “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” so draw close to Him…