As one of the COVID-19 survivors, I live to tell my story.

It is not as dramatic as someone who had survived near death in a natural disaster, accident or serious illness, but those past weeks of distressing experience were so precious and dear to my family and me.

This virus which hit Wuhan last December did not reach catastrophic scale till early January. Even then, I was complacent as it was still so remote to me – living in the comfort of Singapore.

It was not until the news broke out that two of our church members had contracted the virus that the news hit me hard. It was much closer than I thought.

Downhill spiral

It was a quick downhill spiral after that. I felt like Job when he received bad reports one after another.

Unfortunately, news of more getting infected followed and one of them was someone I was in contact with to collect masks from.

I was the most at risk in my family now. It was not till eight days later that I developed mild symptoms of fever and body aches.

I checked into the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) together with my wife who also developed similar symptoms. My daughter showed symptoms of infection the day after and was admitted into NCID together with me too.

While alone in the isolated cell, I felt led to write to my colleagues who had come into contact with me a week ago. Even though I knew contracting this virus was not my fault, I felt bad for creating anxiety and panic even for those who had not come into contact with me. I took the courage to write to them hoping to allay their fears.

I am not someone who likes to write or keep journals. In the first place, I do not write well.

However, during my time in NCID, God inspired me to write my reflections to share with my colleagues.

One of the meals Kenneth had as a COVID patient. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Lek.

Our God is a God of acceleration. In my brief one week in hospital, what God did far exceeded my efforts in trying to reach out to my colleagues and friends for the past 17 years.

I took the courage to set up a big group chat for my colleagues and friends (despite MOH confidentiality rules to protect confirmed persons from ramifications) granting them administration rights to add anyone they wished. Seeing this as an opportunity to share God’s love, I decided to pen down my thoughts and reflections according to what the Lord was impressing upon my heart daily.

God in the frontline

I believe the Lord put me in this isolation room to turn my eyes upon Him. This gift of time pushed me to reflect on my priorities in life more than ever.  

I felt the love of God ever so strongly in this dark moment of my life as He gave tremendous peace which surpassed my comprehension.

He surrounded me with His praying warriors and angels (my cell group, church members, siblings and close friends) to help buy groceries and food for my family who was serving home quarantine. 

Now I see that sometimes disruption is good; it forces us to pause and recalibrate our focus in life and not to take everything around us for granted, especially our health and family.

Remembering that God is a purposeful God, I knew I was in the frontline in God’s army for a reason, giving me the purpose to keep trusting in Him.

My nasal swab test results had been a consistent roller coaster ride, one day up one day down and so on (+, -, +, -, +, -, -). But after seven nights, my time in NCID was finally over (the biblical number of completion!).

The Lord has given me a completely healthy mind and body and provided me the inspiration to pen down my thoughts during this period.

I was elated to be able to reunite once more with my family, to hug them and to have a meal once more at the same dining table. It felt like a homecoming.

Fearless through the storm

Here are three things I took away:

1. God is in control

In the midst of this trying period, it is so easy to be overwhelmed by the problems and challenges that we miss out on God’s purpose for our lives.

Through this ordeal, I learnt to focus upwardly to God (dependence on Him) instead of inwardly (dependence on self) so that I can extend outwardly (to be His channel of blessings) to help others who are facing similar challenges.

I did not choose to be infected with the virus but God chose me and allowed this to happen in order to refine my character, my faith and trust in Him.

2. God is good all the time

When I sensed that I could be infected the day before I displayed symptoms, I prayed and asked God that I would take the hit if it was His will but pleaded to protect my household from harm.

Despite my close contact during our self imposed family quarantine days before my infection – having meals, sharing food, spending time together, none of my family members were infected. What’s the possibility? It was God’s divine protection.

3. God is always faithful

Deep within me, I always wanted to do something significant that will make a difference in God’s kingdom or the secular world so that I can glorify Him.

But I realised that God is most glorified, not when we are at the mountain top, but in the deepest valley. This is the place and time when we are most dependent on Him so that the world can see how He delivers us.

In my life, I have gone through so many crises and trials. But every subsequent test becomes more challenging, especially when you have your family and loved ones involved.

I have always marvelled at testimonies of Christians who have gone through big storms in their lives and how God has brought them through. I asked God: Do I have this faith-raising testimony that will glorify Him? Faith without being tested is not true faith.

When this storm finally came, I was never fearful. Not a bit. Even every member of my household including my 80-year-old mum and helper were hopeful and knew we are all in this together regardless of the outcome.

I had such peace of mind, fighting this battle with God in the frontline. Jesus never promises us a life free from storm, but He assures us that He will be with us through the storm. He is faithful and just and will never put us through a test more than we can bear.

How this pandemic unfolded through the past weeks is more than just a health crisis. It exposed the vulnerability of the foundations of the world. God is giving the world, especially Christians, a heads up that He is coming soon!

This crisis has severely affected and disrupted every aspect of our lives, be it social, health or economy. God’s word clearly says that in the end of days, what can be shaken will be shaken.

The world has been enjoying an unprecedented boom for the past decade but, in just a matter of days, the world’s social and economic order  suddenly collapsed as the escalation of the virus outbreak brought everyone to their knees.

As Christians, we should take heed and sense the urgency of the times, to ensure and be prepared to have enough oil to keep our lamps burning. Do not be like the foolish virgins! Take every opportunity to share our faith and provide the living hope in Christ to everyone in the midst of hopelessness, chaos and panic.

We are the salt and light to the world. One of my Christian brothers commented: “Bro, we are the candle in the darkness the world is facing now.” My candid reply immediately was, we should be the FLOODLIGHT!

To God be the glory!

We all know God works for the good of all those who love him and called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

What the devil meant for harm God will turn around for good to glorify His name. (Genesis 50:20)

https://thir.st/blog/a-familys-journey-in-ncid-finding-rest-in-the-mess/

I am Case #48 of COVID-19. Yesterday, I was discharged.