Choosing to hope in a disheartening world

Joy Barber
Mar 18, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Mar 20, 2024

What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of the season Spring?

Could it be sunshine... flowers... relaxation... renewal?

For me, the first word that comes to my mind is hope. Hope is such a beautiful word, yet I find that it is a word that our society does not focus on enough.

There is no denying the fact that we are living in very divided times. It seems as if there are an influx of dark and negative stories. Whether it’s turning on the television, or scrolling through social media, news headlines remind us that there is a lot of violence, fear and hatred throughout our world. Sadly, these storylines are starting to take center stage in popular books, movies and tv shows.

So, how can we be intentional about living a fruitful life and seeking hope in such divided times?

The answer to this question will be different for everyone, but it is crucial for us to be mindful of the content that we consume on a daily basis.

Doctors constantly remind their patients to be mindful of what they are eating. We know that the food that we nourish our body with dictates our physical and mental health in a number of ways.

So, why aren't we applying to same philosophy to the media/entertainment content that we consume?

Jesus preached that "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." Matthew 6:22-23

The content that you watch, read, or listen to on a regular basis, dictates your physical and mental health in a number of ways.

Don't believe me? Just pay attention to how the words, images or lyrics within the shows that you watch, the books that you read or the songs that you listen to, effects your mood or the way that you see other people in our world.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to entertain horrific stories. I don't want to sit and wallow in darkness.

Scripture reminds us to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. " Romans 12:12

Don't be fooled! Despite what the disheartening stories and unnerving headlines blare, I know that there is still good in our world. I believe that Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead and saved us. There will ALWAYS BE HOPE. We just have to be intentional to seek it. Choosing to be hopeful encourages us to hold on to God's promises and search for the light despite the darkness and negativity that is echoing throughout our world.

So, today, I am choosing to embark on a journey to nourish myself with stories that rejoice in hope and celebrate life's greatest blessings. Books allow us to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. They transport us into lives that are different from our own and allow us to understand how someone else is feeling. A well written story causes us to question our own ignorance and view our world with eyes of faith, reconciliation and peace.

I invite you to come along this reading journey with me to cherish joy one story at a time.

In doing so, I hope to cultivate a fruitful life!