Is Everything Hopeless?

Today I noticed the stock market sinking lower and lower. If you listen to the news, things look very bleak. If I look at my own situation, it looks pretty depressing. I'm deep in debt and my
income is just barely covering the payments on my bills, leaving me very little to live on. Yes, I do have reasons to be depressed. Today when I woke up, I had a choice to make. Will I take the path of hopelessness that leads to depression, or will I take the path of hope that leads to joy. We all have choices to make every day of our lives. What Choices will I make today?

Much depression can be traced to having a perception of hopelessness.

When I was 20 years old, I lay upon my bed one night, high on drugs, wondering if I should take my own life. Why was I thinking those thoughts? Because I had lost hope of my life getting any better. People who lose hope just give up, and usually turn to drugs, alcohol, and all sorts of self-
destructive behaviors. They no longer try to change, because in their mind it's a useless endeavor. When you look at your life right now, do you feel hopeless? Do you feel life has no purpose, no meaning?

So what changed for me? I met some people who were excited about life. They didn't seem any different from me, but they were different. They smiled, laughed, had fun. They weren't hung over day after day like I was. What did they have that I didn't have? They had hope for the future. They told me about a God who loved me, a God who had a plan for me, a God who was good, forgiving, a God who sent his Son, Jesus, into the world to bring me hope. This Son died on a cross for my sins. When I heard these things, I began to think that maybe God did love me. Maybe He did have a plan for my life.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Well, we'll take up this discussion again tomorrow. Just remember--There is a God and He does love us. He never gives up on us. He has a plan and purpose to bless us. Your situation is not hopeless.

Corey J. Couturier

www.cards4theheart.com