Choosing Hope

Sometimes, all of us face a challenge so great that the chasm between hope and hopelessness seems insurmountable — with no way over, around, or through. The solution to this predicament is found in a simple principle: Two opposing cognitions cannot be held over time — either hope or hopelessness must go. When I choose to count my blessings, I am amazed at how quickly hopelessness gives way to hope. The picture accompanying today’s blog serves as a reminder that the passage of time greatly impacts a person’s value system, preferences, and physical appearance. Hold that thought! 

Fall 2001

When the twin towers were struck in New York City, Linda and I were in her doctor’s office receiving the news that she would in all probability need several discs in her neck fused. Hearing a commotion outside the door, the three of us stepped into the lobby just in time to see the sickening sight of those monuments erupting in flames and smoke billowing into the sky. While the television anchors sought to make sense of the chaos, we returned to his office and tried to resume a normal conversation, even though we knew the world had just changed. A few weeks later, as I sat at Linda’s bedside at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Athens, Georgia and held her hand as she waited to go into surgery, the anxiety that I would normally feel was exacerbated by the senseless loss of life that I had witnessed on September 11.

Several years before then, while seeking to better understand how to cope with stress, I had become aware that Psalm 107 outlines the formation of a crisis and illustrates God’s response to the distress of his people when they pray. Four times it is noted: Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress (vv. 6,13,19,28). Finally, the psalmist ends with a challenge: Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord (v. 43 NIV). I am so thankful that I had accepted that challenge, was comforted during Linda’s surgery, and prepared for the never-ending series of stressors that she and I would soon face.

Spring 2023

Two years later, our world was rocked as the first insidious hints of Alzheimer’s emerged. In the past one hundred and forty-three weeks, I have chronicled its monstrous quest to steal Linda’s personality, dignity, and ultimately her life. Now, let’s return to my request at the end of the first paragraph: “Hold that thought!” Several observations can be made about the couple in the picture. They are not old, they tenderly display affection, and she likes the color pink. Going back to that moment in Saint Mary’s Hospital as Linda waited to go into surgery, it accurately reflects who we were and what we were feeling.  Linda and I are now old, we still tenderly display affection, and the physical changes in her brain have reduced her appreciation for a wide range of colors down to primarily pink. However, each day as I sit by her bed, the picture still accurately reflects who we are and what we are feeling. Then, eternity was in the distant future. Now, we are very aware that we are standing on the edge of eternity.

Last Friday, after telling Linda about the wonders of Heaven — as I consistently do — I asked her if she would like to go see Jesus. Even though the words were slurred, she quietly said, “Yes.” Paul’s admonition to those who are grieving has always been a core part of my belief system; it now has greater meaning than I have ever known:

Beloved brothers and sisters, we want you to be quite certain about the truth concerning those who have passed away, so that you won’t be overwhelmed with grief like many others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who died while believing in him.This is the word of the Lord: we who are alive in him and remain until the Lord appears will by no means have an advantage over those who have already died, for both will rise together.

For the Lord himself will appear with the declaration of victory, the shout of an archangel, and the trumpet blast of God. He will descend from the heavenly realm and command those who are dead in Christ to rise first. Then we who are alive will join them, transported together in clouds to have an encounter with the Lord in the air, and we will be forever joined with the Lord.  So encourage one another with these truths (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 TPT).