The Debate Between Fear and Hope

Fear is a distraction.

You see, there's this virus. It's going around the world. Not completely unlike other viruses that have done the same in the past. 

Politicians and other leaders have added their drama to the cauldron.

And then let's throw in the power of social media around and confuse the masses with contradictory reports. 
It makes for a potent potion.

What do we do?
What do we believe? 
How does the average person keep their head up?

So fear speaks:

 ~People are getting sick; no one wants to get sick; you may get sick!

~ People are dying!

And hope responds:

~ Not everyone is getting sick!

~ People are recovering; people are living!

Fear: 

~ We have to go crazy with masks, gloves, and isolation. 

~ We have to fight in grocery stores because the guy in front of us is too close.

Hope:
~ We have to use wisdom. Take care. Be healthy. Start now. 

~ Breathe deeply, smile at the guy in front of you.

Fear:

~ You will be alone. 

~ No one cares. 

Hope:

~ You be the one who sends a message of love to someone. Check in on someone. Do a video call. Or a phone call. Or a text. 

~ You be the one who cares. People do care. About you. Show someone you care about them. We're all in this, struggling in our own situations. We need each other. 

Fear:

~ But you'll miss your friends and family. You won't get to see them.

~ You will be alone.

Hope:

~ Yes, you'll miss them because you love them. And they will miss you because they love you. You. Are. Loved. 

~ You may be alone, yes. Take the quiet time to read; draw near to God; soak in His presence. He is with you. Always. Is it hard? Yes. Is it lonely? Yes. But you are never alone.

Fear:

~ Stay at home!

~ Stay inside!

Hope:

~ Go for a walk.

~ Sit outside in your yard, on your balcony, on your patio. Sit inside by an open window and let fresh air inside.

Fear:

~ Toilet paper and other things will run out!

~ Buy too much and empty the shelves of things! At least you will be okay then. Maybe. 
Hope:

~ Buy what you need for that week. Just like any other time you've been grocery shopping. 

~ Buy a pack of toilet paper for the gal in line behind you. You'll be okay. Really. 

Fear:

~ Leaders are messing up!

~ Hate them, belittle them, bemoan them and hate the people who support them.

Hope:

~ Leaders will rise and fall. History shows this. The right, the wrong, the good, the evil. None are infallible! 

~ Pray for them! They need divine help! 

Fear:

~ The world is falling apart.

~ The economy is wrecked.

Hope:

~ The world is coming together. Look at the people bringing meals to the front line workers; look at the people paying-it-forward; look at the people who are encouraging and loving others. Look at the music videos with artists coming together to sing songs of togetherness and support. Look at the medical teams that go where they are needed to nurse people back to health in an overflowing hospital and infected nursing home. Look at the kind people.

~ Support the businesses around you. Buy from local people as much as you can. Buy from your own country. Help them come up out of this. 

Fear:

~ There's nothing you can do. It's over. It's the end.

~ You are helpless.

Hope:

~ You can love. You can support. You can encourage. You have the opportunities to do good. Do good!

~ You have a choice. Always. Chose to be the good; be the help; be the love. You are not helpless. You are helpful.

Fear:

~ Hate.

~ Just hate.

Hope: 

~ Hate is the spawn of fear. Hate opposes love.

~ Love is the product of God. God is love. In Him, we move and breathe and have our being. Love makes the world go around. Hate destroys. Love builds.

Fear:

~ There is no hope.

Hope:

~ I am always there. 

Fear:

~ I don't know what else to say.

Hope:

~ God is for you. Not against you.

~ God is love.

~ God is good. 

~ God is victorious.

~ God is there for you.

~ God is moving.

~ God is above all.

~ God is hope.

Don't let fear rule. Don't let fear distract from the truth. Don't let fear distract from noticing the reset that is happening on the earth, in the world. Don't let fear distract to the point of losing sight, losing hope, losing love, losing goodness, losing truth. 

Fear seeks to kill and destroy. 
Love seeks to save and build up. 

Love is stronger than fear. 

Hope is the embracing of love, the living of love, the promise of love. 

Hope is the reset button.

Choose wisely between fear and hope, because what you choose becomes how you live. 

Let hope be the distraction.