August 31, 2017
In the face of overwhelming disaster such as is being played out by hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana, it seems almost callous to speak of the small blessings of life for which I give thanks today, except that many who have experienced the worst of the storm are themselves giving thanks that though property has been washed away, their lives have been preserved and their hopes and dreams for the future are undiminished. It is not for those untouched by disaster to instruct those in the throes of it how they should react; the best we can do is to demonstrate love in caring for and assisting those whose lives have been tragically uprooted.
It nonetheless remains important to consider how we handle the troubles that come our way, for even in the absence of such massive destruction, every human being sooner or later is faced with hardship, loss, and the temptation to simply give up. Some refuse even to face difficulty, instead retreating from it in denial. Others engage in finger-pointing, blaming other people or even God for their misfortune. Some bury their souls in substance abuse. But others face the issues head on, running like first responders towards the problem while others are running away.
Such behavior is rarely instinctual, but is always necessary if we are to overcome rather than be overcome. The world has enough nay-sayers, critics, and blamers. I am thankful for those who when faced with difficulty, instead offer prayers, a word of encouragement, and a helping hand.
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