Remaining Positive in Times of Challenges  

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom… so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you” (Eph 1:17-18)

St Paul speaks about the importance of hope in his letter to the Ephesians. He tells us that we need to remain steadfast in our love and hope towards Christ our Lord especially during such times which may seem ‘overcast’ and ‘cloudy’. Perhaps, these times can provide the opportunity for all of us to appreciate and endeavour to live with hope; hope that the ‘SUN’ will once again appear; hope that its radiance will once again warm, comfort and console us. Elsewhere, St Paul tells us that “we know that all things work together for good for those who love God [οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγαπῶσι τὸν Θεὸν πάντα συνεργεῖ εἰς ἀγαθόν]” (Rom 8:28). For this reason, even when we are experiencing and having to endure patiently through certain ‘cold’ or ‘wintery’ nights of the soul—due to certain unprecedented set our circumstances in life such as these, or  whatever else they may be, which may give rise to heightened anxiety or disquiet—let us not forget to remain steadfast in our hope; hope that the warmth of the ‘SON’ of Loving Tenderness radiates and shines out for all.
 
Philip Kariatlis
Sub-Dean