Dear Family and Friends,

We’ve had some great news this week. The Omicron case counts are finally dropping. States are beginning to drop mask requirements. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. I should be elated and filled with hope…but I’m not.

Why not? What’s wrong with me?

Are you feeling the same way, perhaps asking yourself the same question? If so, why are we feeling this way?

It’s because we’re protecting our hearts from another disappointing wave. Do you remember how joyful we felt after Delta? We thought we were finally done with this pandemic, only to find it’s not done with us.

Some say we’re being realists. I’m hoping that’s the case and it’s not a sign of our spirits growing cold with the initial stages of pessimism.

Pessimism is the tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen; a lack of hope or confidence in the future.

In case you’re wondering, today’s message is not really about the virus. It’s about the risk of becoming pessimistic, about the risk of losing hope, due to the many other ‘messy’ issues inflicting our community, country and world. 

Yes, there are plenty of reasons to be pessimistic. But I’ll save us the pain by not repeating the evening news, and just say it this way: the world has forgotten how to love.

As for us, let’s take the narrow road and never forget to love first always.

And as for the many reasons to be pessimistic, let’s remember that the Bible gives us even more reasons for hope. Here’s one.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” ‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ESV

Yes, the troubles in the world seem so huge. But worry not, for our God is even bigger.

“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me;

I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45:5-7‬ ESV

Since it’s no secret that people have become very nasty nowadays, what can we do? Do as Paul asked Timothy – to be kind, patient and gentle, and allow God to decide what’s best. 

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.

God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:23-26‬ ESV

There’s a popular question that goes like this, Is the glass half empty or half full? It’s used as a litmus test to see if a person is a pessimist or optimist. When looking at the world around us, let’s always remember that our cups are never half empty or full, they overflow. (Psalm 23)

I leave us with this bit of advice as we face the coming weeks, view the troubles that surround us like a passing storm. And take the viewpoint that Paul once did.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:18‬ NIV

Let’s keep trusting in the Lord, hoping that God’s will comes to pass – for His best in everyone and everything. And most of all, let’s keep loving God and others always.

I’m praying this familiar prayer for all of us this week.

God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as we would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If we surrender to Your will,
So that we may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.

In love always,