Shalom

Last year, during the lockdown period due to COVID-19 in the UAE, I stayed at my relatives’ residence for some time. After few days from moving in, I noticed that my skin had red patches. My entire skin was very itchy. I had rashes. I don’t have any food allergies, so I was wondering what was happening. I decided to observe my skin. Days passed, I hoped that the rashed would eventually disappear. Unfortunately, it didn’t. That’s when I decided to go to the clinic to get checked. Because it was the height of the pandemic, my uncle was EXTRA cautious of anything concerning COVID-19. He was concerned that I might have had COVID. He told me that he read an article that says that rashes are one of the symptoms of COVID. I understand his concern and what he was implying, but I think otherwise. I was more concerned about my allergy. I needed to know the cause of it. I gathered up my courage to ask permission from my uncle because he is so strict about stepping outside the house! I remembered this passage in the Bible which says, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).” I held on to that promise and prayed to God to grant my uncle peace from worrying about the possibility of me having COVID, which would mean that I could put them at risk.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.“

I visited the nearest clinic, and I was diagnosed with contact dermatitis. I had contact dermatitis before, and I knew that it was because of the soap that I was using. My uncle enquires about my check-up. I was relieved to tell him the good news! The issue was minor, and that he has nothing to worry about it. The next day after my check-up, I received a message from my uncle that his result from the swab test was negative. I was surprised why he sent me his results. I found out that their company arranged a regular PCR test for all their staff yesterday as well. Silently, I told myself, “praise the Lord!”

Indeed, God gave me peace — peace of mind from Covid and the cause of my rashes! What are the things that bother you? No matter how big or trivial our worries may be, God has the power to quiet our troubled mind and soul. He can easily still the tempest storms in our lives. So, worry no more because our Lord Jesus Christ can give us the peace that we ever desired. He wants us to cast all our worries to Him, for He cares about us. God is the source of our peace, a kind of peace that passeth all understanding. No wonder why He is also named the Prince of Peace. Shalom!