Reading or watching the news is something I do with caution. Because if I’m not careful and I take in too many newspaper articles or news bulletins, it starts affecting my outlook on things. Because some days the news is especially depressing and disturbing.

But I have also found that despite all the bad, sat stuff, there is always a ray of hope somewhere. And ‘if I seek for it, I will find it.’ That ray of hope can come from anywhere! It can be a person, an event, a thought, a memory, a quote, a book, a child’s smile, a coincidence, anything! I just have to look for it.

This morning it was a quote that popped into my mind. I had probably read it years go but it obviously made an impression on me and lodged itself deep within my memory.

Here’s the quote..

“In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”

(Jesus, circa 30 AD)

How beautiful. And what a perfect statement! It does not deny the problem and sad realities, but it also suggests a response and gives a solution.

“In the world you shall have tribulation.” – No kidding. (In fact, according to the Buddha, life has so much suffering it’s practically synonymous with suffering.)

“But..” – Now that’s an important word right there. It’s three letters long but it gives pause. It offers an alternative. It is the space we put between that which happens to us and our response to it. It gives us an opportunity to choose our frame of mind and our response to situations.

“Be of good cheer.” Now that’s a tall order! In the middle of tribulation? Really? How?

“I have overcome the world.” That’s how. By holding on to the knowledge that no matter how dark the world gets, there is still Something Bigger, Kinder, Gentler and Stronger at work in the world and in our lives. It is a promise of hope. It is a promise of companionship in our darkest night, comfort in our deepest sorrow and strength in our weakest hour. It is the promise of a benevolent destiny.

“In the world you shall have tribulation,
But be of good cheer.
I have overcome the world.”

Let’s live with hope and walk with a smile. It’s a difficult world but we are not alone. We shall overcome.

Regards,

Vinod