Powerful in a Pandemic!

When I look back over this year, my mind automatically goes back to one of the scariest days of my life. On March 18, 2020, my husband had a massive stroke, and he was in the ICU for 23 days. On top of that, this all happened in the beginning of a pandemic. One moment we were up talking, the next moment he was rushed to the hospital. One moment I was at the hospital with him, the next moment they were telling me that I had to leave because they were doing a mandatory shutdown.

I felt crushed. I was afraid. I was worried. I was in total despair. The thought of leaving my husband alone in the hospital, him waking up to see that he would be alone, with many concerns and questions was heartbreaking. I couldn’t believe that we were experiencing this in month 10 of our marriage.

This was the first time I’ve really ever experienced something so tragic before, all alone. When I walked through those hospital halls the first few days that I was allowed to be there, I was alone. When I sat in his room and prayed and interceded on his behalf, I was alone. No visitors. No one was up there in the room with me. Just me, God, the doctors and nurses. Our family and friends were outside the hospital waiting.

My husband had 6 brain procedures and after his last procedure, God supernaturally healed my husband and a few days later he was able to come home. (I’ll write a book about this one day).

But, one thing God showed me was that even in a Pandemic, I was still powerful.
Yes, I am powerful to be his wife.
I am powerful to deal with the attacks.
I am powerful to carry out the assignment.
I am powerful to walk in my lane.

Even through that hard, challenging, scary moment in my life, God reminded me that I was powerful.

So many people have lost loved ones. So many people contracted this virus. So many people lost jobs, houses, and other variable possessions during this pandemic. Some of you have not only been trying to stay safe from this virus, but you’ve also been playing it safe from what God is calling you to do. In Phase 1 of this pandemic, we were forced to go on a mandatory shut down. If we can be honest on today, some of you have been a on mandatory shutdown all year.
You’ve shut your dreams down. You’ve shut your assignment down. You’ve shut your radical prayers down. You’ve allowed the words of others to shut you down.

God has called you to start the business. God has called you to write the book. God has called you into ministry. God has called you to elevate in your thinking. But yet, you’re still playing it safe. God is calling for you to rise up. God is calling for you to come forth. God is calling for you to break barriers. The time is now and he’s graced you for the task. He’s graced you for the assignment.

You’ve been attacked but you’re still powerful.
You’ve been talked about but you’re still powerful.
You’ve been ridiculed but you’re still powerful.
You’ve been under pressure but you’re still powerful.
You’ve loss a few people and things along the way but you’re still powerful.
Yes your still powerful, powerful enough to slay giants, powerful enough to defeat demons, powerful enough to be all that God has called you to be.

You are powerful.
You are capable.
You are ready.
You are called.
You are chosen.

No matter what you are faced with, know that you are powerful in a pandemic!

Love always,

Lady Shanika Barnes

P.S. Feel free to join my private Facebook group called “Treasure Talk With Lady Shanika” to stay connected with me.