Bulletproof

Valerie Cullers 28 Comments

sword-2140940_640 (1)

“I thought I was bulletproof or Superman there for a while. I thought I’d never run out of nerve. Never.” Evel Knievel

We’ve all come through the last two months together and now states and countries are starting to open up. Throughout this process, I have noticed several different attitudes towards the Corona Virus. Some people feel they are absolutely bulletproof in regards to COVID19, especially the young. This group may not think about washing their hands after going out in public. Others are concerned, maybe don’t feel entirely bulletproof, but don’t think there is much to worry about. This group is probably washing their hands at the very least. Still others, depending on their age and comorbidity factors, are taking the threat seriously and are washing their hands, social distancing and wearing masks. This group feels the least bulletproof of all.

I don’t know about you, but I have probably been in each of these groups at one time or another during this process. Initially when I was thinking about and praying about it, the Lord gave me a deep peace. I took that to mean that I didn’t have to worry about the virus. I was a bit cavalier about wearing a mask although I did wash my hands after going out in public. About three weeks into the shelter in place order, I ate some fish for dinner that for some reason didn’t agree with me. That evening I was sicker than I had ever been. I felt nauseated the next day and was careful about what I ate for the next week. The lesson here? I was not bulletproof. 

I have no idea what the peace the Lord gave me meant. Was I going to be spared from the virus? Was I going to get it and be healed from it? Was I going to get it and die? I don’t know the answer to those questions but I did begin to take the threat more seriously. I started wearing a mask in public, was more careful about social distancing, washed my hands for a longer period of time and disinfected surfaces when I came in from shopping. To encapsulate my thoughts I give you a quote that I really love:

“We are not all in the same boat. We are all in the same storm.” Damian Barr

As the country opens up and we are given more freedom, we need to respect each other regarding our response to the threat of this virus. If the median age of death is 82, then the virus has taken many who were a lot older than that. Yes, it has affected some who were younger, but in general the young are pretty much bulletproof. The rest of us, depending on our age and comorbidity factors will have to think about our response going forward as retail stores, salons and airlines open back up. 

What am I going to do? I don’t know. I will just have to move through this process one step at at time and make my decisions from there. I do pray for protection for myself, my family and friends daily and I trust the Lord will take care of each one of us. I will not however, regard myself as bulletproof. What about you? What has your response been to this virus? 

“I returned and saw under the sun that – the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.” Eccl. 9:11

Photo by Mike’s Photos. Courtesy of Pixabay!

28 thoughts on “Bulletproof”

  1. Almost 80% of the population will be affected in some manner by the virus. Its in our family. My first cousin, a nurse, is quarantined at home and a Grandma at 80 has been called to rest. We can’t all dodge the bullet. We can though practice hygiene and caution. Its dark days but with common sense, faith and prayer, we cab make this bearable.
    I send non germy hugs Dear Val. 🤗

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  2. I too have felt peace about the Covid-19 situation. Though I don’t believe I am “bullet proof”, and take the recommended precautions, I know that the Lord is with me, come what may.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. I have to agree with you, I found myself in each of these three camps at one time or another during all of this. I too have peace about it, but for myself I take it to mean whatever happens it is well with my soul. I think I’m being wise about the situation, but I’m not being paranoid. I believe God is my protector, but I’m not going to test Him on it either. I’m wearing a mask for the most part (unless I forget it) and am disinfecting everything I bring into our home to help keep us safe and washing my hands when I’m done. And I am SO looking forward to things opening back up! Though I admit, I will still be wearing my mask until the infection rate drops extensively. Glad to hear you’re staying well. God bless!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. However you’re feeling about the virus at any point, do take care and precautions. Keep well and stay safe.

    I’m too scared, but I have hypertension and I get flu every year, sometimes twice a year. I had bronchitis last year. I have sinus and allergy issues. And I’m not so young anymore. I have stayed indoors in the last 42 days, except twice to go to the grocery store. Mask on, sanitizing my hands a lot, sanitizing everything that comes in (via delivery), taking vitamins and all my meds. This new normal is a little hard work still.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Yes, it is! Please stay safe and well. I think that we all need to make our decisions based on our particular circumstances. We will have to “feel” our way through the next few stages! Thank you so much for sharing how you are handling it! ❤❤❤❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. Having worked in BSL-2 and BSL-3 labs, I took the precautions seriously. I’m trying to avoid as much contact as possible. If I go to the store (once a week and try to keep the time to under 30 min.), I wear my mask and sanitize my hands before opening the car door!We are on the cusp of that age where the shelter in place rules still apply. We were going to go to Lowe’s to get a special light bulb and see about getting some plants but there was a long line and we opted to skip it. Sparky will go first thing in the morning and be the first in the store!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Beautifully explained..
    Corona is a virus and got to be treated like that….you can’t hide from it..you got to face it ..become immune to it…majority who got infected have recovered …so immune system will fight and overcome if it’s strong enough…Yes precautions have to be taken but ‘ Fear is not the key’..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I definitely don’t want to get the virus but my concern is with the nurses in my family, especially my daughter who is on the front line. I can’t live in fear and all I can do is pray and have faith in God!

    Like

    Reply

  11. Valerie,

    Feeling one is bulletproof denies the sovereignty of God. None of us are bulletproof. We all live in flesh bodies, and so we are all susceptible to sickness. But, this is true all the time, not just since the pandemic. All the time we must realize that we can’t absolutely guarantee or control our own destiny. We are limited by the flesh. We are limited, too, because we are not God. So, not one of us should feel that it can’t happen to us, but anything can happen to us.

    So, IMO, I believe that the peace that God gave you was to trust him. And, that means neither to feel over confident in your ability to resist any sickness, at any time in your life, nor to live in fear, feeling as though you must do this thing or that thing or you might get sick. God doesn’t want us living in fear or in pride, which are really two sides of the same whole, for they are both based in our flesh.

    So, IMO, I believe God giving you peace was to tell you that HE has it handled and that you don’t need to take matters into your own hands, whether to feel you are not susceptible to sickness or to feel as though you have to control it by what you do, for you can’t. You can wash your hands a hundred times a day, social distance, wear a mask, and still get sick from something or die in an auto accident.

    So, the peace that God gives lets us rest in him. We use reasonable caution as we should any time in our lives to avoid becoming ill, but when we think that what we do is what keeps us from getting sick or not, it denies the sovereignty of God over our lives. So, IMO, I believe you should continue to live your life as you normally do and just trust God with your health.

    Love you!! Sue

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you Sue, for such a heartfelt and thoughtful reply. You have a way of putting the whole matter into perspective. I do believe you are right…I don’t know what the peace meant or means. However, I do need to trust Him and know He has everything handled. i should be cautious and do what I need to in order to mitigate my risk. I think you really have a deep understanding of the question at hand! Again, thank you! ❤❤❤❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Valerie, and thank you for your gracious and kind response to my wordy response, which was very heartfelt, and which had your best in mind, for sure. But, yes, we should always exercise reasonable caution and discernment. If one of my grandchildren is tossing his cookies, I say “No” to him coming for a visit. So, yes, use good common sense. But, don’t live in fear. That’s basically it, and trust God in all things. ❤ ❤

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment