No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to us all. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10: 13 Today’s New International Version
Take heart, my friends, be encouraged. Be hopeful even when the world around seems to be spiraling in a downward direction. Be confident and courageous.
You know, if you have followed me or known me very long, that I am a believer. I don’t try to preach on this blog but there are times when my heart feels led to post something spiritual or religious. I make no apologies for this—if it is not your cup of tea you don’t have to read–you can choose to move on and that is fine but sometimes something triggers something in me that makes me want to write it out and this is my place to do that.
The above scripture has been quoted so many times it can not be counted. It graces greeting card covers. It can be seen on countless artwork and posters. It has been written and rewritten in journals, underlined in Bibles and posted on mirrors and refrigerators all over the world.
It is one of those verses that brings comfort and God knows that we all need some of that from time to time. It is hard some days to not feel that the weight of the world is heaped upon our collective shoulders. There are things that touch each of us on a daily basis that burden us and that threaten to tear us down. But I am here to say that there is hope. Times are hard. There is no doubt about that at all. I see it everyday .
unemployment
mental illness
physical disabilities
hunger
world tragedies and disasters
loneliness
The list goes on and on. But again I say–there is hope. There is hope that tomorrow will be just a little bit brighter and just a little lighter. There is so much hope and the verse above points me to it. It isn’t a Pollyanna view—in my mind–it is fact. There is a brighter tomorrow coming if we can only hold on.
When I have those dark days, and yes, we all have them, I try very hard to think about the positives.
the incredible world that we live in with all of the different types of people
family who loves unconditionally
animals that bring a smile to our faces
freedom that many can not experience
the simple effect of a smile to turn a day around
Do I believe that the above verse is true? Absolutely. Have I experienced the overwhelming urge to just chuck it all and give up? On some days I have. But then I come to my senses and realize that I am not alone. I am certainly not the only one who has gone through tough times. There are tough times all around us. It is how we choose to journey through them that makes the difference. I choose to believe that tomorrow will be better. It always has been that way in the past so why would it not be the same this time around?
Are you feeling overwhelmed today? Do you wonder if tomorrow will bring more than you can bear? Take heart, my friend. You will make it through and by focusing on the positive it might give you a new perspective.
5 Comments
Leave a commentI know that there have been other earlier times when feelings of hopelessness were common (the “Great Depression” & the “Dust Bowl Days”, for example) but these days, with the global “climate” as it is and the ‘corrections’/solutions seeming to be so complex as to be impossible to achieve, I either hear statements of “how can there be a turn-around?” or more of a ‘head in the sand’ mentality (that’s a mental “self preservation” assumed attitude) and they go about the ‘dailies’ hoping it will all correct itself somehow. Either position probably accounts for the rise in the violent behavior so prevalent these days. “Without a hope, the people perish”……….never truer than these days and without the truth belief that there is One Who has all in control, how does one face tomorrow (the next minute) without a completely helpless/hopeless attitude?????
I can not imagine how people with no faith can even start their days, Doreen. Honestly. What would be the point? How would there be any sense in the world? As always you continue to challenge me to dig deeper into my own faith and challenge myself to be and do more. Thank you.
You are such a positive person and your blog brings smiles to the faces of so many! The world needs more folks like you to spread hope and cheer! This is a lovely post, thanks.
I agree with Darlene!
Interestingly enough, hope was the theme on our first evening of Vacation Bible School yesterday. It is hope that allows me to forge onward during challenging times. And God has always been right there beside me. That doesn’t mean, like you, that I don’t sometimes struggle with difficulties (afterall, we are human). But I hold onto hope always. You have been great at encouraging me. Thank you for being who you are, for the gift of your positive spirit.