Despair is Not an Option

11

On one of his speaking tours, Richard Neuhaus was picked up at the airport by a man who kept talking about how bad things were in America and how difficult these times are. Finally Rev. Neuhaus had had enough of the doom and gloom talk. “These may be bad times, but they are only times we are given. And despair is a mortal sin.”

He’s right. Whether good or bad, these are the only times we are given—and it is our privilege to serve the Lord today, right where we are.

Despair is not an option. These are fantastic, exciting, amazing days to be alive. We should continue to do good and remain optimistic.

Chin up and knees down. Take some time to laugh today. It’s a good way to remind yourself that God knows what he’s doing even when we don’t. 

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November 5, 2008, 10:39 AM PETER WANG says:
Full time house church pastor in mainland China	I FEEL SORROW TOO, NOW I KNOW THAT Despair is Not an Option!!!!!!!!!
November 5, 2008, 1:46 PM BrentRJones says:
Science teacher in public schools in Chicago	I voted for Obama, but I plan to do all that I can personally do to make abortions rare. Some of this is to do a form of “sex education” in high school classrooms where I work. I do not trust any politician. Both major parties have been spending our FUTURE money on things not necessary. I will also work against unjust laws and agendas of any elected leader. Complaisance died last night—for me. And I am very optimistic because I know the One who is worthy of complete trust.
November 5, 2008, 11:08 PM Christian democrat says:
	Why would there be any despair? Didn’t we all vote for Obama? :)
November 6, 2008, 9:09 AM Ray Pritchard says:
	Not all of us!
November 6, 2008, 10:08 AM Helen says:
	Regarding how evangelicals voted: Christianity Today has created an interesting state by state map using CNN’s data: The Evangelical Vote 2008
November 6, 2008, 1:30 PM kaysi hastings says:
I love my family, my friends, movies, music, & JESUS!	“Keep Believing” — there could not be a better name for your ministry! Thanks for the ongoing encouragement! It is interesting that yesterday morning, hours after your wrote this, our church staff was sitting in the office laughing together. Most of us voted for McCain but we all recognize that God is still on the throne and this is part of His master plan, and because of that, we can indeed still laugh & rejoice!
November 6, 2008, 1:37 PM patriot says:
	We should pray for the new president, you are so right. $600+ million dollars donated to his campaign means there will be expectations. A lot of that money came from people and organizations like George Soros and MoveOn.org, who deeply dislike Bible believing Christians. I hope Barack Obama believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, not just as good teacher and philosopher.
November 7, 2008, 9:45 AM Raymond says:
	As one trained in history, I especially appreciate Ray Pritchard’s reminder that “these are the only times we are given.” Generally speaking, with a comparison to times past and the current situation of other places, we are mightily blessed. And yet we complain a lot. I’m sure glad I was not a Christian in Germany when Hitler came to power, or when Stalin became dictator of the former Soviet Union - both during the 1930s. Compared to those times, living in the United States of America is close to paradise, even with all of the problems we have. Add to this, the millions of Christians who were forced to live under Muslim rule for centuries in Western and Eastern Europe. The very best book I have ever seen on this subject is Paul Fregosi’s “Jihad.” Any doubts about Christian “rights” under Muslim rule will quickly fly away. I use the examples above (however extreme) to show that living in America is a fulfilled dream for millions of immigrants (legal and illegal). This is why people still come here. They know that they will have freedom of religion - Christians and others alike. Even the street people in this country are free. Think about that in comparison to these people in other countries. So yes, “despair is not an option.” Again I thank Ray Pritchard for calling this to our much needed attention.
November 7, 2008, 10:15 AM Raymond says:
	Here I am again because I forgot to mention something I feel is important - at least to Christians. Can you imagine how the first Christians felt as they were vigorously persecuted and prosecuted by a pagan Roman Empire? All this because they refused to offer a pinch of incense to the Emperor’s “divinity” or register as a religio licta. And yet, we are hard pressed to find any despair in the writings and acts of these early martyrs for the faith. And I’m not just talking about the Book of Acts which is largely about the problems the Apostle Paul had. I’m talking about the mass executions of Christians that two place on a regular basis for another two hundred years after Paul died. Can you imagine living in the Roman Empire as a Christian during the reign of Diocletian in the late third century A.D. ? That Roman Emperor almost wiped out the entire Christian Community. He makes Nero look like a kindly, and mild mannered ruler. And yet through all this the Christians are hopeful and cheerful without a hint of despair. Finally before I shut up, can you grasp what it must have been like for millions of Eastern European Christians trying to survive under Communist regimes for decades? This is not to mention the millions of Christians who were tortured and slaughtered under the Mao regime in China. Think about this like I do while you are sipping your morning coffee and complaining about the weather and all your other gripes to include mine. Do we really have any good reason to despair when we live in the United States? Even our inmates in prisons have rights and comforts compared to those in other countries who have not even committed crimes except to oppose a dictatorship or belong to the wrong religion - mainly Christian. Thanks for your patience with my long winded blathering.
November 7, 2008, 10:47 AM Raymond says:
	Just a few final points and then I will stop lest those reading my scribble despair. Think about how lucky we are in this country (USA) to just be able to move from one place to another with freedom and even limited funds. Can you envision living in a dictatorship muchless a place like the Congo where people have to flee from one place to another to avoid death by armies? People living in these countries are really up against it. In the meantime, on our highways we are blessed with the following conditions: 1. No need to present work permits, or travel permits, or national identity cards at police roadblocks or check points . 2. Good roads (Interstate) even though we complain about road construction. 3. Clean water and facilities at rest stops. 4. Clean food at clean restaurants. 5. Clean motels to sleep at. 6. Shopping malls. 7. Roadside assistance. 8. Decent clinics and hospitals. When I drive from Kansas 700 miles to see my sister in Wauconda, Illinois I enjoy all of these benefits, and yet I will probably find something to complain about. Despair indeed!
November 8, 2008, 6:34 AM Patrick sullivan says:
British / Australian . Retired Pastor. Hospital Chaplain. Creator and Webmaster of www.jesuschristonly.com	Despair is not an option. How right you are Ray. I will always remember one day doing my rounds of the wards calling on Christians in the hospital. I tapped on the door of a one bed ward .As I pushed open the certain not knowing what awaited me on the other side, I announced ‘Hi I’m the chaplain’. A bright and cheerful voice responded ‘Come in I’m glad you came’ I stopped and looked round , a young lady lay in the bed with a smile as big as all outdoors, I quickly noted that standing at the end of her bed were two artificial legs. As I came closer I noticed that she had a fix focus of her eyes on the ceiling.... This beautiful young lady was blind as well as having no legs. She was a joy to speak to, full of hope, faith and optimism. Despair for her was certainly not an option. Pat