It’s been on my heart lately. People have been making depression, sickness, lack of hope, etc. look “cool.” If you’re not on meds, if you’re not hurting yourself, if something’s not wrong with you, you’re weird. You’re innocent. No one will like you. You’re not cool. Well, I’m hurting right now, and it’s not cool. Guess what. It hurts.
What kind of a suicidal society wants their children to be in pain to be accepted?
Even as a Christian, life can be hard, you know? Sometimes I feel hopeless and just completely ready to go. I should probably be happy that I’m alive and I have life a lot better than a lot of others, but I’m not. I’m selfish and imperfect (sorry to let you all down! 😛 ).
It was on the news the other day. Another school shooting. Why can’t the news show something hopeful for once? I’m sick of all the crap. I’m sick of all the darkness. I’m tired of feeling like I have nothing to look forward to in life. When I graduate, what’s the world going to be like? Two short years, but so much can happen in that time.
Is the majority of the world’s population as sick as the ones who make the news?
The utter putrid sickness of this world is so overwhelming and I can’t handle the thought that this is what I’m growing up in.
I’m terrified.
I need to see something good. I need to know there’s something for me to look forward to. What were all those survivors of World War I and II holding on to? How did they do it?
Frodo and Sam – Sam said they were holding on because there was still some good in this world. Where is it?
If you see it, show me. Please. I need it so much.
The world needs it.
Do you have answers to all these questions? Seriously, we can use some cheering up right now.
God bless each and every one of you beautiful people out there. ❤
Sincerely,
A very confused Rana
The Gingerling 
I have a fear of illness, and going to the doctor for any reason makes me worried. I have found that by focusing on beautiful things helps calm and give me hope. It could be anything: the butterfly outside, the good scene in the book I read, the good night’s sleep I had last night. By averting my mind away from the horrors of the world, I can hear God’s voice clearer and I feel stronger. I like to call it “forced optimism.” The longer you focus in the good things, the easier it becomes, until it’s impossible not to notice the good things everywhere.
I’ll be praying for you, Rana, and I pray that you are able to find hope in God’s arms. ❤
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Rana ❤ I feel the same way quite often. I've been wondering what it is I'm living for, feeling like there's something missing. Honestly…I don't have the answer. But I do feel like we should try to be that hope for other people…show them that there is still good in the world and you are it. As for us…maybe it's just the little things, those times with your best friends or when your family does something really sweet out of the blue. The world is dark and scary and it will always be that way, but we can do our best to seek out and be that light for others. And when our wick is burned out, we have to find someone, something to reach for to refresh us so we can keep going. Pain is not beautiful, joy is beautiful….there's my little scrabbled up rant-y-ness. 😛
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Oh, Rana. ❤ I went through this a few years ago. I was following 'depression' blogs for writing inspiration, but the sad state of so many people really bogged me down. I finally decided to cut out the dark, depressing things – to acknowledge them, even address them, but not spend so much time in them. And then I began to look for bright spots, and good things; because it's easy to feel there's too much evil in the world. There are just as many good stories as depressing ones, but the violence and debauchery is what makes the news. What about the young man and old woman who got stuck in an elevator? She had a condition that wouldn't allow her to stand or sit on hard surfaces for too long, so he got on all fours and let her sit on his back for two hours while the elevator was repaired. – little stories like that really make my day, and they're /everywhere/ if you look up.
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Thank you. ❤ It's not like I'm /trying/ to focus on the negative stuff. Most of the time, I'm pretty good. I look for humor and make jokes, but lately I've just been crap. I know a lot of it is in my head and I want to be okay, but I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing with my life and what I should be doing, so it's hard to do /anything/ if I have no direction.
I know it's all in God's Hands and maybe this is a lesson to trust…? I don't know. I hate not knowing. xD
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As cliché and bumper-sticker as it sounds, one phrase I’ve loved for years is, “Sometimes God puts us flat on our back so we remember to look up.”
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“Why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up again.” xD Thank you. ❤ hugs
I'm shocked by all the love and support. o.o
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God. God is always the Hope. That is what creates the beauty in being Christian. Not because everything is perfect for us or that we don’t feel the worlds pain and evil and are not tempted and beaten by all it’s vices. It means that we have hope in the future and plan that God has for us. Our salvation from the horrors of the world may not even come in this life. Many die suffering and having gone through nothing but hardship their whole lives. But there is purpose in that hardship and in the suffering. The pain is for the benefit of our souls. The strengthening of our character in this life and for our salvation in the next. All I can say is to trust God. Trust that he will give you strength to conquer the fear that the world instills but also to see the beauty God has hidden within it. If the world starts to crash in on you always look to God. Pray. Pray a lot. God listens an cares even when it seems like He too has gone silent. You’ll be in my prayers as well. Never give up Hope. Never!
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I’ve had bouts of depression and that feeling of hopelessness before and will probably get it in future. 😦 When it happens, I think of God, what Jesus did for me, and all the wonderful things people have done for me and for others, out of love, but it only helps
to some extent. God does send trials like these sometimes to “test” us, so to speak. All we can do is trust God and trust that He has a plan for us all and it will be beautiful. It is a small comfort but it will get better. I will pray for you. Maybe try listening to music. That helps me sometimes. 🙂
Oh, and my sister just ironed my shirts for me! It’s a small thing but it does remind me how many things she’s done for me. Then there was the time a passerby asked me if I was okay when I was out in the cold, sketching. He didn’t have to, but he did. And my email-pal always gives me comfort and sympathy when I’m having a tough time at home. Little things like that remind me that humans can be really nice!
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hugs Job asked the same thing, thousands of years ago…and I don’t think the world’s gotten better since then. But the answer in Scripture is the same – our hope is in God. Ps 119 says 6 times that our hope in in His word. Hebrews 6 repeats that it is impossible for God to lie, so those of us who have fled to Him for refuge have “strong consolation” – hope in Him is a sure and steadfast anchor for our souls.
Today I spent several hours at a center where sexually abused children are interviewed by law enforcement, social services, prosecutors, The System. I watched one of the interviews, watched someone who was not only a child, but a child with a mental disability, describe how the person who had come to their home to look after them instead abused them. I thought I would return home absolutely flayed.
Instead I came away amazed by the resilience of children, their beautiful strength. I was encouraged by the people who worked there, giving their time and energy to make sure the children came first, doing all they could to make a difference in these children’s lives. It was incredible.
In Romans 5 where it says that tribulation works patience, and patience experience, and experience hope…I have at least…7 years more experience than you. (oy, that makes me feel old… ;)) And I completely get what you’re saying. I do. But in the past 7 years, I have seen God prove Himself faithful over and again in my life and in the lives of those I know – so even when everything seems most dark, I can continue to hope in Him.
You’re right, the darkness does seem displayed, glorified, even, sooo often…but the light is there too. You’re right, too, that so much can happen in 2 years. Don’t forget it can be good things. 🙂 I was 16 when God directed me to take the first step of what He wanted me to do with my life. I STILL don’t know where I’m going – but every step I’ve taken He’s pointed out another. It can be really hard, not knowing more than that single step. But don’t be afraid – He WILL show you in time.
Sorry, I always write a novel when I don’t mean to…I just can get a bit carried away sometimes…blush
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This may sound sappy, but, Jesus loves you. Jesus will always love you. And someday, He’a coming back to make the world new and perfect. THAT is something to look forward to. 🙂
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Oh, Rana. 😦 You’re going on my prayer list immediately. God IS always there, and if there’s anyone to turn to, it’s Him. We’ll always be there for you, too — ghosting, but still present. We can’t do all God can, but I pray He can use others to help you.
Never forget how amazing you are, girl. You’re a princess, a superhero. You’re way too wise to be human, hilarious, joy-bringing and gorgeous as heck. You’re always positive and a light in a world that IS very dark.
I don’t know what to say that’ll help, but know that I love you very, very much. We all do. ❤
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I totally agree. It’s so twisted the way society has taken to glorifying pain and sadness. Even some Christian music makes depression and brokenness sound almost desirable. I agree with what the others said, God is the hope, and we need to keep reminding ourselves that and make sure we get some quality time in with people who can build us up and help encourage us.
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