Reporting on Covid-19: Six years on what lessons have stayed with me?

The Covid-19 pandemic brought immense hardship across the world, affecting nearly every aspect of life. Millions of people lost their lives, and many more suffered long-term health complications. Economies were severely disrupted as businesses closed, jobs disappeared, and financial insecurity grew. Education was interrupted, forcing students and teachers to adapt to remote learning, often with unequal access to technology. Social isolation and fear took a toll on mental health, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Families were separated and healthcare systems were stretched beyond capacity. Church families were dispersed, mass fellowship and gatherings were halted and the entire world as we knew it, came to a screeching halt. 

The pandemic exposed deep social and economic inequalities while testing the resilience of individuals and societies everywhere. And for two years, our lives as we knew them became unrecognisable as we entered an unprecedented time of change. How we worked, where we worked, how we did church, and connected with family and friends – confined to bubbles or otherwise excluded – everything changed, as many of us contemplated, and feared, was this our new normal? 

Yet, in the midst of all the devastation, hardship, and uncertainty, the pandemic became an unexpected teacher. Through it, God challenged me in ways I could never have anticipated and revealed powerful, life-giving lessons. But as we approach the six-year anniversary, I find myself reflecting on how many of those lessons are still shaping and guiding who I am today in this post-Covid world? 

Sponsored

An openness to doing things differently 

Prior to Covid, it is unlikely that my place of employment where I worked as a journalist in a hustling, bustling busy newsroom, would have approved of me asking to work remotely full time, and I’m sure if I had asked my pastor at the same time, if church could be moved to being solely online, the response would’ve been a resounding ​“no!”.

However, when a global pandemic hit, it seemed the opportunities for ​‘keeping calm and carrying on’ opened up and all of a sudden, the possibilities were ​‘endless’. Much of the UK workforce with the exception of essential workers and manual employees, worked from home, parents became home school tutors overnight and church and church groups became an online phenomenon, although unmuted worship may have been a stretch too far – in my humble opinion – owing to the inevitable time lag! 

Years prior, I never would have imagined myself broadcasting news bulletins for Radio 4 under a duvet in my open plan lounge. But when that was the only alternative to the off-limits, soundproof studios of the London newsroom, it became feasible. And suddenly I was thrust into adapting to a new way of doing things. 

Trusting in Him who knows all things

To call it a strange time, doesn’t seem to do it justice. It felt as though the world slowed on its axis and we existed in a time where there was no end in sight. So, decisions were no longer made for the long-term future but instead I lived day to day. In doing so, I learnt to be present; focusing on the here and now and perhaps for the first time in my Christian walk, best demonstrated what Jesus instructed in His Sermon on the Mount in Mathew 6:24 – 35 entitled, ​‘Do not worry’. 

I don’t think worry was completely eliminated, but it did shift my attention to the present and ushered in a reliance that He would take care of my worries for tomorrow. The pandemic taught me a new level of surrender. Trusting God in the unknown and leaning on my faith in Him; that He was and is a good Father that is always with me, in the midst of it all (Hebrews 13:5).

Being more intentional

At a time when fear and loss were rife, I prayed earnestly, as my only resource – when words failed me and grief overwhelmed me like a tsunami. Regularly I cried out to the God that promised in Psalm 18:6, to hear and respond to my cry. I prayed for God’s peace in the midst of fear, His direction in the midst of confusion and for His comfort in the midst of despair. My prayer closet and devotional time became a staple of my day; essential, sacred and stabilising.

Surprisingly, the pandemic created opportunities for me to share my faith more intentionally, as I sought to make every conversation and interaction more meaningful, due to the scarcity and fragility of the times we were in. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I posted a card through the door of an elderly neighbour who I had heard had suddenly lost his wife to Covid, and was isolating as a result, unable to even attend her funeral. In the message, I lamented for his loss, I offered comfort and the promise of brighter days ahead and told him he would be in my prayers. It felt minute in comparison to what he was going through, but to my surprise a few days later he knocked on our front door. 

From this small act, an unexpected, unconventional friendship blossomed between a middle-aged Christian woman and an elderly, widowed Jewish man. Six years on, we have fostered the tradition of meeting up at least once a month for lunch or a coffee and talk about life, faith and everything in between.

Modelling a heart of gratitude

It was during this season, I found myself thanking God for the gift of technology, which enabled me to successfully chair presentations from home and do live broadcasts from my living room, join online workshops and watch sermons. And even successfully host an international online birthday celebration for my sister’s 30^th birthday during one of the many lockdowns. Against the backdrop of devastation on such a great magnitude, I was moved by the way God showed up even in the little things. 

It was a time when I valued connection more than ever and had an enhanced appreciation for friendship, relationship and community. Even if that meant being confined to a ​“bubble” and joining neighbours once a week from my doorstep to clap and wave on a Thursday! 

As we approach the anniversary of the outbreak, I’ve found myself reflecting on the life lessons that season etched into my heart – considering which ones I’ve held close and which have quietly slipped into the background, clouded by the busyness of life. I feel stirred again to bring those lessons back to the forefront: to intentionally seek God, and to pursue those who do not yet know Him.

This means carving out time daily to pray, to immerse myself in His word, to listen for His voice, and to stand as an intercessor of hope in a world that often feels locked in a permacrisis. And just as importantly, it means choosing gratitude –recognising the glimmers of God woven through all things, even the smallest of things.

If this has inspired you to reflect and revisit some of the lessons this unprecedented time taught you, do join me. Let’s recommit together. Let’s pursue God with renewed intention, pray for those who need Him, and become bearers of hope and gratitude in a world hungry for more.