I’ve almost stopped reading, listening to or checking on-line for the news, a big change for a self-confessed news junkie; I never thought that day would come because frankly, I’ve always enjoyed keeping up with current local, national and international happening. These days, however, I have restricted myself to listening to the reports just once or twice a day. (Emails notices don’t count)
So why the change? Simply this: while there always have been bad and difficult things to report, positive accounts of good news and good things seemed to balance out the challenges. Not anymore. Political chaos in North America and Europe as well as scorching fires across our province have left me deeply saddened; I want to hear something nice. Something good. Something uplifting.
This week I read a devotional describing the difference between waiting for hope and waiting in hope. The difference is significant: When life throws us difficult circumstances it’s a whole lot harder to deal with them while looking for hope instead of being able to face them with a hope-filled heart. Waiting for hope to arrive breeds despair; waiting in hope is that expectation of better things ahead.
I’ve said this before but it’s always worth repeating: to walk with Christ doesn’t guarantee financial prosperity, physical healing or instant solutions to all our problems. What it does do, however, is enable us to face monetary struggles, pain, sickness and every other challenge life throws at us with the calm assurance that God is with us and will enable us to be over-comers.
”Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
PS: Re my need for something enjoyable, good and uplifting, this Sunday morning’s sermon met the criteria.
