In those moments of self-doubt we are here for you

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: By the Rev John Nugent of Wick St Fergus Church

I hope that you are all managing to keep yourselves afloat.

There’s that word, hope. People keep telling me that there isn’t much of that about these days. And who could blame someone for thinking that? Certainly not me, John Nugent with his A-level in Presbyterian guilt.

There are some who would tell us that we have to just get on with stuff, that we have to adopt the attitude of “chin up, lad, and face things like a man. Don’t be weak, just stay strong.”

But what if you feel that you can’t stay strong? What about those days when you wake up in the morning, the last vestiges of sleep still in your eyes, and the realisation hits you that says “Crivvens, I’m still here”? It’s not so easy to feel strong then. You don’t seem to have the energy to remain strong.

This is where hope comes into its own. So permit me to set out a wee programme for you.

The Bible talks about faith/hope, etc., being the evidence of things not seen – or, in other words, looking to the reality that hasn’t happened yet. But that is based on knowledge, a very particular set of facts, so here is what they are: (1) You are a person of worth and deserving of respect; (2) How this crisis is affecting you and how you experience this is valid; (3) You are not alone.

This gives you something on which to build. You might not see it but the “crowd of unseen witnesses” is there cheering you on. And in those moments of self-doubt we are here for you to help you stay afloat. We are glad that you are still with us.

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