A Matter of Perspective

A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks from storming the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. to President Donald Trump being impeached for a second time. There has been so much civil unrest (is that an oxymoron?).

This week seems tense already. I think we’re okay out here in the middle of basically nowhere, but I am pretty sure I would not want to be covering President-elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration! I think that would be a bit too much excitement for me!

I feel like I understand a little about what is happening because we have seen things like this happen in other countries, but at the same time, I really have no idea. I don’t know that kind of intensity in my life. I don’t currently know that kind of unrest.

The political division in this country has caused more and more strife. I honestly believe that some of this has been fueled by the lack of hope that people are feeling.

Lack of hope can bring out primal behavior in the best of us.

So how do we reignite hope in a world gone mad?

I believe there are several ways we can do so.

According to Kenneth Copeland Ministries, these are some simple things you can do to renew your hope.

1. Make prayer and quiet time with the Lord a priority every day.

“But, Karin, I am not religious,” you might be saying. Well, you can meditate. You can do deep breathing. Or you might try to find a place for God. You never know, it just might be the thing you are looking for.

2. Surround yourself with people of hope and faith.

People filled with hope may not be that easy to find, but you know who your “go-to” people are when you are feeling hopeless. Reach out to them and spend time with them. If you can’t do it in person, call them, Facetime (or other video chat) with them.

When you feel without hope sometimes it can be hard to reach out, but do yourself and others a favor—reach out!

3. Refuse to quit.

4. Mix faith, hope, and love.

Since the greatest of these is “love” according to 1 Corinthians 13 (Bible), then remember to let your love for others and yourself, too, shine through to give others hope, too!

Remember, we might be the ones who can give hope to others through our good examples, too.

We might be the answer to someone’s prayer or cry for help.

Never underestimate the importance of YOU.