[Noozhawk’s note: Thid in a series. Click here for the first column, and click here for the second.]
I’ve had readers ask me to take this COVID-19 discussion a bit further for their benefit and the benefit of others who have read Parts I and II of my battle with this unwelcomed virus.
For my sake as well, it’s good to reflect on what’s transpired over this past month and the impact it’s had on my life. Of course, I have no way of knowing if there will be any long-term effects of contracting the coronavirus.
I’ve probably carried on close to a hundred short conversations with acquaintances since my recovery and usually the first question asked is, “How did you contract the virus?” My immediate response is always “I have no idea.”
Since the outbreak, I’ve been out and about, but have followed recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, since I knew contracting the virus at my age (just celebrating my 77th birthday in the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital COVID-19 unit) could be quite dangerous.
Fortunately, being admitted to Cottage Hospital after I realized I was not going to lick this virus at home proved to be timely and providential. As my health declined during those four days at home, the staff at Cottage placed me on a proven protocol that helped me almost immediately.
After running extensive lab work, my doctors realized I needed a blood transfusion since I’ve been dealing with a lower than normal hemoglobin level for the past year or so. I was scheduled for a consultation with a hematologist during my hospital stay, which has now been rescheduled.
The key to my recovery was a proven protocol of therapeutics, including daily doses of Remdesivir administered over those first four evenings of my five-day hospital stay.
Certainly, there were other medications administered, but I can’t recall the names, nor does it really matter to me. All I know is it worked!
Although my recovery was slow, I never came close to being placed on a ventilator. For the first four days I was given oxygen, which helped me to breathe normally.
In Part II, I eluded to my five days of hospitalization as being blissful. Let me assure you that my bliss was not drug-induced.
The Joy of the Lord has filled my life for many years. That joy/bliss is a supernatural phenomenon that has to be experienced and cannot be adequately explained.
My personal relationship with the Holy Spirit has helped me overcome many obstacles during the past 37 years. That relationship has been a constant spiritual spring that refreshes me from the drudgery of this world.
Let me explain that I’ve never needed any form of stimulant, although I did experiment a bit in my younger impulsive years before accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior.
In ending this third and final discussion, I felt it was appropriate to share these words from the Apostle Paul as he ends his second letter to the church in Thessalonica. In 2 Thessalonians 3:16 he concludes, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
Did you get that? His peace is readily available to you and it can provide you bliss in whatever circumstance you may be going through in life.
Paul ends with these words in verse 18: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” That’s my desire for you as well. May His grace fill you this day forward!
Passages to Ponder
— Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God, and his goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he started writing Fourth Quarter Strategies columns in 2014, and he now reaches an international audience through the CBMC International devotional Monday Manna. He can be contacted at jim@fourthquarterstrategies.com for more information. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.