Finding Peace in the Middle of the Coronavirus Storm ~ Guest Post by Ana Maria Blevins

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

Photo by Martha Dominguez de Gouveia

We ended up in the ICU with one of our children during the Coronavirus lock down. The week before, I had been having rapid heartbeat and chest pain as the spread of corona virus disease and failing economies were becoming a daily reality.  

I knew God was in control and hard times would come, and that even at the end of the world, Jesus Christ said there would be calamities. But facing a worldwide pandemic and the response that has isolated everyone in their home and brought nations’ economies down to their knees was overwhelming and felt kind of like a sucker punch. If I, a believer in the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Bible, and the God who has all power and authority have been shaken, I can only imagine how those who have no connection to eternity are feeling.

In the midst of this wave of ominous fear and uncertainty, we went into the epicenter—the center of healing—the hospital. We were assumed positive of the Covid-19 virus until negative test results could be obtained, and we were quarantined in an ICU unit that had negative pressure. The air we used was removed from the building as if we had something very dangerous and very contagious. 

Our guide on this journey into the epicenter was a most considerate, diplomatic, and professional nurse, named Phillip. He guided us into using the very stringent protocols, understanding our roles in health safety and recognizing our rights, as well. He was seasoned and extremely knowledgeable, and yet, very gentle. So, did God put an angel named Philip there for our child and for me? Surely He did! 

We could not leave the room, except once to get my medicine from my car in the parking garage. We had to observe the strictest measures. I had to stay donned, with the gown, mask, and eventually a face shield and gloves. If I pulled a curtain around my child and I was outside of the curtain, then I could take off my personal protective equipment, (PPE). 

We tried to visualize that my child was disseminating viruses, or more helpfully, “glitter.” The glitter was all over her, and we had to not allow the glitter to get on me or the staff. I could only take off my mask to eat and drink. If I wanted to talk to the staff, I would signal to them through the glass wall, and they would slide the door open. I had to stand on a certain square to assure that I was six feet away from the opening. Someone had to observe me when I left the room as I followed explicit guidelines on doffing or removing my PPE. The bathroom held the room’s cleaning supplies, which weren’t allowed to leave that ICU room. The last day we were there the guidelines had become even stricter, and we tried to keep up with the changes.

So, Phillip guided us as we experienced what it was like to be considered dangerously contagious. We got to see firsthand how somebody feels who has a microbe that can imperil the people around them. We also got to see how well-staffed the hospital personnel were, how caring, and how responsive. We were thrilled to learn that our hospital had developed its own Covid-19 test, and our child was a grateful recipient. 

Many hospitals are developing their own tests, so our Arts and Technology nonprofit rejoices in this initiative and success! Our test results came back negative right before surgery, so we were allowed to step down from the world of high alert pandemic protocols to the everyday protocols with our garden-variety microbes. What a relief. Our doctors and nurses were amazingly reassuring and comforting. God took us into the center of the storm, and we were so blessed to feel His presence and to see Him moving through other caring and dedicated professionals who have studied and trained to care for people. 

Coming home after the hospitalization of our child, I no longer had chest pain nor a rapid heartbeat. I can empathize with so many people who have been completely rattled and are having to face our mortality, from which our modern world has been removed in many ways. In spite of the invisible ban or spirit of the age that has directed people not to take faith seriously and not to consider eternity, the spiritual climate has really changed. 

Uncertainty rules, and this storm is revealing how strong of a foundation our individual houses, our lives, are built on. Praying that we will build our house on the rock, the rock of Christ and faith in God, the God of the Bible. And if we have built our house on a shifting foundation, that we will get up and move and relocate very quickly and build a new house on the solid rock, Jesus Christ! He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is Love, and He never changes. 

Ask Him to come live in your heart today!

Bio:  Ana Maria Salinas Blevins is the wife and teammate of Lyle Blevins. They have six other teammates whom they birthed and who make up their FamDream Team.
Lyle and Ana Maria enjoy faith, the Arts and Technology, and love to see hearts touched and transformed by God’s love. They have home-educated for 30 years, teaching Spanish, Robotics, and Music. They like to encourage parents who are in the middle of the journey with the vision of "Empowering tomorrow's professionals in a faith-based arts and technology community."  Families can do amazing things!

I am so thankful my dear, sweet friend, Ana Maria, shared her heart with us here.  She and I have been friends for years and served together as prayer action leaders for Concerned Women for America.  Her heart for God is precious, and she will forever be dear to my heart.

Holding Nothing Back ~ Ryan Stevenson

Ana Maria's testimony gave us a glimpse into what it is like for those who are hospitalized during this fearful time.  Let's keep praying for all who are being affected by the pandemic.  I must say, I am not so sure it is a good idea to open things up quite yet, but who am I to say?  GOD is ultimately in control of all of our lives, and the best thing we can do is put our lives totally in His hands and trust Him with all our hearts.  Keep looking up!