Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.
-Romans 12:12

World got you down? Hanging by a thread?

Here are some options:

You could NOPE

Too much is too much. So why even pay attention to it? Just pretend everything’s fine and maybe the world’s problems will just fade away. Put your fingers in your ears and repeat after me: “I’m not listening!”

Problem: “Noping” only goes skin deep. Whether you want to face them or not, your deepest emotions don’t evaporate. They fester. At some point, yes, you’ll probably have to deal with them. Watch out when that happens.

You could MOPE

If the world is trying to beat you down, you could let it. Surrender to the craziness. Admit defeat. This is your life now, crappy as it may seem. Heave a heavy sigh and slump those shoulders. You win, world, you win.

Problem: “Moping” extinguishes the God-given spark of your life. You were meant for more than this, and you darn-well know it. Go ahead and be sad. Weep and mourn. But joy comes in the morning.

You could COPE

Time for endless scrolling. Binge-watching shows you’ve already watched before. Video games or shopping. An extra beer or two before bed. Did I mention endless scrolling? This is more the unhealthy kind of coping. Something, anything, to take your mind off a world you feel powerless to face.

Problem: “Coping”? You’re probably already a pro. It’s our #1 pastime! If you’re living in this crisscross between “noping” and “doping“, your eyes will get heavy and your world will get blurry. You’re meant for more than biding your time till the pain ends.

Or…

You could HOPE

It might not come easy. It takes energy to hope (and, as Paul says, patience and perseverance). Hope is an act of faith–when you don’t know what’s coming next, when you can’t see your way through the fog of despair.

Hope is choosing not to ignore the struggle, but to rejoice in spite of it.
Hope is what happens when a lament meets the promise of new life.
Hope is regaining a purpose, taking action, keeping your eyes on the prize.

Hope is what Christ offered this world. It’s what he brought with him out of the tomb. He brought it for you.

If you’re hanging by a thread, you have options.

But only one

throws you a rope.

Have a good week,

Mitch

P.S. My wife reminded me of someone who lived by Hope, and might fit well in this devotion. Get it?