For those reading this article presently, in my country where I live, which is South Africa, we are currently under a governmental lockdown for 35 days. When this announcement was initially made it caught me off guard because my spiritual gift, showing love and kindness was hindered. We were instructed to practice social distancing, which meant no touching, hugging or coming within 1,5 meters of the next person. This spiritual gift is my way of sharing my Father’s love and showing other people that He lives in me. As a person, I literally always need to give a hug to almost every person in the course of my normal daily life!
Through this social distancing I started feeling alone, fruitless and a sense of emptiness as I could not use my spiritual gift. I felt as if I was stripped from all the love I used to show and share. This also resulted in other feelings creeping in, feelings of fear, uncertainty and abandonment. I knew that I needed to experience that sense of love, warmth and belonging as that was the only way to ‘recharge’ my spiritual gift and to keep me focused on my Father’s will for me during this lockdown period.
I started spending more time with my Father and realised that my fear was only satan’s way of attempting to take control of my life. Then I remembered the scripture, 1 John 4:18, which reminded me that “… Perfect love casts out fear …” (World English Bible). In that moment I felt relieved because my fear was gone, and I could ‘feel’ my Father hugging me tighter than ever and assuring me that I will feel all the love that I needed through the ever present Holy Spirit that is within me.
I have never questioned myself after that re-assurance of my Father, neither have I had any feelings of uncertainty, loneliness or fear because I know, for sure, my Father is always there for me and provides me abundantly with the unconditional and ultimate “perfect love” that I need.
With arms wide open and Jesus Love, Marissa