God is our refuge and our strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

Psalm 46:1-3

I have to be completely honest and begin this article by saying that June was not my best month. Not by far. I’m sure many of you probably have been struggling too in this season we’re all in. From the ongoing coronavirus that is worsening in some areas, to the protests and viciousness that have led to them and in response to them…and there’s the reminder that we’re in an election year. Negative campaigns and slander will be on our radar 24/7, if they aren’t already. All this and more has just caused us to become exhausted, both mentally and spiritually.

If you’re like I am, then maybe you’re feeling lost right now. That there’s no hope in the world, and everything is just going to go from bad to worse soon. If that’s you reading, then just take a moment to breathe. Quiet your mind. We’re being bombarded by so much information daily, and it’s changing rapidly by the hour. Take the time to disconnect from the news, from the internet, and just be free from these toxic distractions.

When I focused on what was around me, and what I knew was good and right that was in the world by God’s design, I felt the weight of despair lifted from my heart. It didn’t happen all at once, but it happened enough to where I began noticing peace for the first time. The promise God gives us there is that he is always with us, through both the good and the bad, and will never abandon us.

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!

Psalm 34:17-20

My despair was strong enough to where it affected my writing; I actually didn’t want to write at all. When I would try to sit down to write something, I felt empty and no words could come clearly to mind, and what I could produce was subpar at best. That was the main reason I had less work on my blog this past month than previously.

It got to a point where I finally just broke down crying, after having so much weighing me down for a good few months. Knowing we’re not out of the woods yet has continued to make me a little apprehensive of what’s to come, as I’m sure it has for many of you as well. Now that I’ve moved past it, however, I see that many of us do have the courage to face tomorrow, thanks to God’s grace. We’re not abandoned, and we’re not without hope.

The road ahead is uncertain and unclear, but it continues with us trailing on it. God is our guide through thick and thin, even when we feel he isn’t near by. If we hold on to his promise, we are certain to have the courage to face any obstacle.

This entry is a little shorter than normal, but I figured an article doesn’t have to be too long to focus on what really matters, especially in these times we are facing. No matter where you are in the world and no matter your circumstances, remember that hope is there for you and for all who seek it. I’ll wrap this up with one final Bible verse; I hope these have encourage you as much as they have me.

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:24-25