How are you doing today, friends?

Perhaps like you, I’ve been searching news apps and social media for positive outlooks for the future. Last night, I told my husband how irritable I was after listening to the discouraging reports, one after another.

“Just don’t listen to them,” he said.

That’s hard for me. The first half of my professional life was teaching History, Government, and Sociology. News has been important to me, helping me to think critically and make informed decisions.

But news has given way to speculation. It’s an unhealthy place to live.

Hope for Today

I’m learning, instead, to live within the confines of today. I’m allowing God’s word to give me perspective and truth about the future. Here I find hope!

Hope in the Creator and Author of each day.

Hope in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, both for individuals and humanity.

Hope in prayer. I’m learning to pray about “everything, with thanksgiving, presenting my requests to God. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.

Hope through faith in God, not man. I’ve been convicted that my hope has been dependent upon humankind, our behaviors, and responses. I’m learning my faith must be in the person Jesus Christ, as revealed through the Bible.

Hope from God’s promises. Devotional writer Amy Carmichael and Lettie Cowman remind me how they trusted every small promise in the Bible. These women lived in times similar to ours. Yet, their hope was found in every living word from the Bible. I’m learning from them.

Hope in eternal life. The fear of death is rampant in our communities. When you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you don’t have to fear death, because you are ushered into the eternal presence of God when you die. What hope in this life is there without this eternal trust?

Hope in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The second coming of Jesus Christ and the rapture of the Church is the hope for the believers in Christ. Past generations looked to the second coming for hope in hard times. Hard times are new for us in 2020. It’s calling me to a simpler faith in Jesus Christ.

Simple Faith

My husband asks me why I let the news bother me. Raised a Mennonite in a conservative home, he’s lived in the world, but not of the world. Our church and faith tradition has stayed “apart” from the goings-on of worldly, political perspectives more than others. His simple faith in God’s word, community, and family is giving me a new, healthy perspective. 

It’s one I’m leaning into.

I’m learning what’s most important in our small circles of home and community. In a world that’s become so big, so out of control and frightening, I’m growing to be simply thankful for each day, my faith, family, and community.

Hope from Psalm 27

I’ve been reading in Psalm 27 during my quiet time. These promises are helping me:

• Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Psalm 27:3b
• Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 27:5
• Do not fret–it only causes harm. Psalm 27:8b

God’s news is the good news. It’s more relevant today than ever before. Oh, and this morning I deleted the news apps on my phone.

What’s a positive choice you’re making today?