Don't give up when life gets tough

FOOD FOR THOUGHT by Rev Lyall Rennie

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all of us in different ways, some more so than others. For some it has been life changing. They may have lost a loved one. They may have lost their job. They may be struggling financially.

But one of the most worrying concerns created by the pandemic is that of people’s mental health and of the dramatic increase in suicide numbers. Folk who cannot take any more and want to end their life.

In a world like ours, motivated by greed, always in a hurry, demanding instant answers, it is so easy to fall under the spell of giving up and losing heart, especially during a pandemic. But Jesus tells us that is what we are not to do.

Don’t lose heart. Don’t stop praying for change. Don’t stop acting for change. Don’t give up because the God who loves you is listening to your prayer.

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed for God’s will to be done even as he was betrayed, beaten, stripped and crucified, asking forgiveness for his killers. For all that Jesus went through he doesn’t lose heart. He doesn’t give up.

Don’t give up when you are weary of nursing your loneliness; when you're angry at the hand life’s dealt you; when you’re tempted to throw in the towel and give up on change. Talk to God.

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