Hope in the Darkest of Times

It was only a couple months ago that our lives were normal. Over the last few weeks, about 10 to be exact, everything changed. We have probably used the word “quarantine” in most of our daily conversations. Shelves at the grocery stores were bare if not empty at times. Streets were deserted, schools were shut down and so were all "non essential” businesses. Factories are no longer manufacturing anything. Many people working from home and many more were left without a job. Normal life as we knew it disappeared very quickly. It feels like everything keeps changing by the minute and none of us really know what will happen in the future. One thing is for certain, our life will not be the same even after the quarantine is lifted. There are so many unknowns and though it may be frightening, we must not fear. All these negative feelings and thoughts can create mental blocks and have an influence in the way we live our lives. Every decision we make out of fear hinders us from moving forward. I recall a moment when I had to make a difficult choice, and fear almost paralyzed me, but then I remembered that faith can move mountains, and that gave me the strength to keep going. For instance, I was talking to a friend who had lost their job due to the pandemic, and they were struggling to find a new one - but instead of giving up, they used that time to learn a new skill, and now they're more hopeful about their future than they were before. I've also seen this play out in my own community, where neighbors have come together to support each other, whether it's through delivering groceries or simply being a listening ear, and it's been amazing to see how these small acts of kindness can bring hope to those around us.

Keep looking beyond the horizon, stay positive because only then you will be able to stay open to the unexpected opportunities and see the possibilities for a better tomorrow.

Despite the situation we are currently in, there is hope. With Jesus' help we will overcome the world’s crisis because he is bigger than everything, bigger than all of our fears and all of our tribulations. He will always be there for us.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

He will make a way even when it seems there is no where to go. He has a plan for everyone of us and he won’t change it. Our future is as secure as it always has been. This is the hope that we should all hold on to because God is faithful and he will complete what he has begun.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the visible world but to eternal realities. For what we see is temporary, but what remains unseen is forever. - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

We must have hope, hope for the future, that we will be redeemed. Hope for the present, that we are not alone, but are loved and have a purpose. Spread hope not fear.