Italy’s streets and piazzas are usually full of people, even in the evening. But with the lockdown all that has changed. An eeirie silence has settled over the strangely unpeopled streets and towns. Except for the car that drives through town every day ordering us to stay indoors. The final eerie touch that makes it seem like we’re living in wartime. And it makes us wish this was all a bad dream.
In the midst of it all, I’ve decided to share what it’s like. It has made life harder. We can’t do many of our normal things – even go for walks. Hubby has to wait an hour to get into the supermarket because few people are allowed in at a time. He’s also off work without pay, for who knows how long.
It’s all strange and a little unnerving. But what I’ve found most challenging of all is not being able to go to church. We have church via streaming or Zoom, but it’s just not the same.
Still, it’s important not to focus only on the negatives, which is so easy to do. But that only opens the door for fear, doubt, anxiety, and even depression to creep in. Even in times like these – especially in times like these – we must keep counting our blessings!
Lockdown is teaching us to:
1. Count our blessings
Instead of focusing on what you don’t have – realize how much you do have!
I’m thankful that we went out and did a big shopping when we saw that Northern Italy going into lockdown. Good thing we did, as we can no longer leave town to shop at the cheaper stores. We’re well stocked for quite a while, and will only need to go out for fresh items.
At the time, stocking up felt almost foolish. Maybe we were overreacting. But the small stores in our town are expensive. So we figured even if nothing happened here, we would at least save money. And we did!
It helps, too, that here we have our own bread man. About 10AM every day, he stops on the street corner, blows his horn, and we can all go out and buy nice fresh bread, usually still hot! I’m glad the bread man is till allowed to make his deliveries.
2. Value fellowship
We’re learning how difficult and lonely social isolation can be. God has created us to be social beings. We need the company of others and to share our thoughts, hearts, and feelings. All this isolation is bad for us.
But at least today we have so many ways to communicate. So take advantage of phone calls, chats, video conferences, and even plain, old-fashoned snail mail!
3. Appreciate and use the extra time
Instead of letting boredom creep in, use this time to learn and do new things. Learn a new skill or take up a new hobby. Read those books you’ve been meaning to get to.
And learn to appreciate the blessings of solitude, silence, and stillness. They are important to our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Sometimes we just need to slow down and unplug. And to reconnect to the things that are lasting and meaningful in this life. Lockdown can provide that possibility.
For the most part this lockdown has not changed things much for a reserved homebody like me. My husband works most weekday afternoons and evenings. So with no car or driver’s license I already spent a lot of time alone.
Alone, but never alone, for God is always with me. As a Christian, I’m thankful that no laws, locks, barriers, or circumstances can ever keep God out. His presence, especially at this time, is very real in my life. And a great comfort.
You may be alone (or feel alone) during this strange time in history. You may be scared and worried. But I assure you that if you open your heart to Christ you will never have to be completely alone again. He has given His promise on that, and He always keeps His promises.
I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5
Signora Sheila 
21 responses to “Lockdown Isolation: Challenges and Blessings”
Praying for you there. Looking forward to seeing how God uses this in all of our lives.
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Thanks Karen, we really appreciate it. We seem to have reached a peak and new contagions are diminishing. But the gov’t is passing more severe restrictions, which we don’t understand. But our peace is in God, knowing that he has all things in control. We are praying, too, that the situation doesn’t get real bad in other parts of the world.
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Thank you for your positive words on how to deal with this Coronavirus threat. I shared them on Facebook.
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Thank you so much, Janet! We can all use a dose of encouragement in these days!!
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Sheila, I am glad that you are stocked up well and doing well. I, too, miss the fellowship at church – Bible study and worship services. Working on setting up a Bible study via Webex for wives. Thank you for writing about what it is like in Italy. God is so good. What a privilege we have to be able to have fellowship with Christians across the world and encourage each other. This is the true church. I’m praying for you and Mario. May you rest in God’s peace, security, and blessings. Karen
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Thank you so much, Karen, for your prayers and well wishes. Know that ours are coming your way too. I see that things keep getting worse in the states as well. Thankfully our lives are in God’s hands. He knows best, and our hearts are at peace. Pray you stay safe and that you will see God’s hand in your lives in these days. Take care.
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So glad, Sheila, that you and your husband are doing well! We too are isolating ourselves from others, due to my husband’s auto-immune deficiency. I am so thankful that, in spite of being alone, we can communicate with others (even around the world in Italy!) in many ways these days, to share our thoughts, hearts, and feelings, just like you said. I’m thankful our church offered a live-streamed service on Sunday and will continue to do so for at least several weeks. Such a blessing to see familiar faces and experience corporate worship–even if on a screen. Also enjoying Skype visits with our son and his family. They only live ten minutes away, but we haven’t seen them since a week ago Sunday. I’m also thankful we can prove Philippians 4:13, to do all things through Christ who gives us strength. In reality, this should not be that great a challenge–just an adjustment. (We’re so used to coming and going on a whim!) P.S. I had to smile when I read your last bullet point. Putting our roots down deep into God’s love (Ephesians 3:17) is the theme for my post tomorrow!
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You’re so right, Nancy. This is one of the good things about technology! It is wonderful to be able to still have contact – it really helps to reduce the isolation. And contact with people around the world!! I’m looking forward to reading your upcoming post, sure it will be the blessing your posts always are!! These times are a golden opportunity for seeking him and sending our roots down deeper!!
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Thank you for sharing this. It reminds me to keep you in my prayers.
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Thank you! But I see that it’s gtting bad everyone. All of you, my readers, are in my prayers too. We need this kind of support more than ever!!
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[…] – Fellow Christian Blogger Sheila @mycammino, who is in Italy and in isolation right now, wrote about her experience and the benefits of this hardship today, too. Check it out here. […]
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Thank you so much for sharing!!! I didn’t know when your post would come out and this one relates to the one I published today, too! He is with us, always!!!
I relate as I am a stay at home wife. The quiet moments have been spending time with the Lord, it’s such an opportunity.
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You’re so right TR, even if I didn’t quite grasp that right away. Every so often I’m prone to a sort of adult temper tantrum. :( But God has a way of sometimes giving me a gentle slap on the side of the head and bringing me back around. The solitude has proved to be one of my life’s greatest blessings! God is so good!! Can’t wait to read your post… going to now!
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Yes, He is so good at those reminders!!!! ♥️ Thanks for looking at my post 😊
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It was encouragement and I hope it speaks to many!!
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Beautifully written, and so encouraging! While none of us know what the outcome of all this will be, the one certainty we do have is security in Christ. Thank you for such an uplifting post!
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Thank you Ron, for your encouragement. I really do hope it will encourage hearts in many places. We are secure in Christ’s love – come what may!
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Thanks Sheila for sharing. I’m praying for you. We’re in semi lockdown now (partly self imposed). But apart from this acute time we’re going through, it was helpful to read how it was for you in your early years in Italy. As we may well emigrate in the next 5 years to be near family and for our daughter to learn her mother tongue, it’s helpful for me to be under no illusions after a number of lovely visits!
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So happy it helped, Robert! Visits are often deceiving. Things are usually wonderful on holiday. And even if they’re not, we think it’s only for a few days or weeks, so I’ll survive. Knowing you’re there for good changes everything. But God use such times to deepen our relationship with him. And that is worth whatever it costs!
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Profound and honest words, my friend. The isolation is a challenge, especially when everything here needs to be done remotely to protect others. But I love what it’s doing for all of us. We may complain about the inconvenience, but the Lord is allowing us to care for each other as we often don’t choose to do on most days. Thanks for your insights!
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Thank you Dayle for your encouragement! Yes the Lord often uses trials and difficulties to get our attention, and in his own special way to bring good from them! Hope you’re keeping safe!!
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