Getting Through The Tough Times: A Message of Hope in Uncertain Times
I remember waking up to a warm December morning and feeling excited about the Christmas season. What had started out as a beautiful Saturday gathered around with family quickly turned into a cloudy day. It was the first time I experienced adversity as my parents announced they were getting a separation. I was only 16 years old, the oldest of 4 siblings. We lost our home. We even lost friends. My mom hated the idea of having to apply for welfare.
I love that, through it all, mom fought for us. She loved us. She wanted us with her. We were in this together, and through the pain, we were there for each other.
As I continue to hear the news of the Coronavirus and the impact it is having over people; communities, countries, the world, I am overwhelmed with a sense of surrealism. The news must be mistaken. It's surely not happening to me, to us, to everyone.
It's like a scary movie announcing a terrible tragedy, only this time it's real.
We all process difficult circumstances in our own way. Right now, as we all go through this Coronavirus pandemic, it is easy to get discouraged, to lose hope, and even to question our faith. Recalling our previous hardships sometimes helps us see how we've been able to get through them in the past and how we can not only get through this season now, together, but that we will come out stronger.
Through the difficult times in my life I've learned that there is a message of hope that we can share with others when we experience adversity. That from adversity comes growth, strength, and new opportunities. That it is better to focus on the things we can control, to let go of our fears, and to realize that this season will pass. There is also hope in looking back at the hard times we have overcome so that we can look ahead toward happier days. We are not alone, we are surrounded by family, by friends, and by people who care for our well-being. We don't have to be afraid to ask for help.
It can be hard to take the first step toward growth, toward recovery, toward hope, but if we do, each step is a step forward. We can look back at the progress we've made and how far we've come. Each day is a new invitation of hope, filled with promise, and blessings. All we have to do is open ourselves up to the invitation that awaits us!
Our hope is in the Lord. Psalm 39:7
In times of adversity, we can choose how we will respond. We can choose to see the glass as half full and cling to the hope we have in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
During this season, I want to encourage you to stay positive.
Reflect; journal; think about where you are; how far you've come either in this season, in your personal life, or in your career, and where you want to be five or ten years from now.
Cultivate relationships, invest in your well-being, make an difference in the lives of others.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
How are you becoming the person you are called to be in this season of adversity?
How are you being a catalyst to those in need?
What promises are you holding onto for a brighter tomorrow?
Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible,
and suddenly you are doing the impossible. St. Francis of Assisi
