By Larry Stover

The Selma Times-Journal 

Most of the time, when we think of the word, “pandemic,” we think of something like the Ebola outbreak in Africa or the worldwide occurrences of Aids.

In its broadest sense, a pandemic is used to describe a widespread epidemic that brings fear to people caught up in a crisis.

I’d like to exercise a little literary license to apply the word pandemic in another area of life. It too is widespread and has people all over the area living in fear and uncertainty. It is that state of mind I call “hopelessness.”

The discussions have been endless concerning the five children killed in Wilcox County. That is just the recent application of heart wrenching headlines across the nation.

There has been a plethora of criminal activity across the area. Issues like child abuse, sexual exploitation of children and child neglect are just the superfluity of so much going on as the home in America continues to unravel in a downward spiral to destruction.

How can a person kill their own children? How can they abuse them? How can they treat them as an object and not their own flesh and blood? How can they sell them into human trafficking? What has happened to us?

This pandemic of hopelessness is beginning to grip America like a plague.

As I’ve thought about the many observations, questions and insights regarding recent headlines, I’ve once again realized just how important my faith in Jesus Christ is providing a solid foundation for my life.

As more and more Americans put their relationship with Jesus Christ way down their priority list, it becomes easier to slide into this arena of hopelessness.

Who or what do you put your faith and trust into these days? Are family and friends letting you down? Has the system hung you out to dry?

It seems that the more the government wants to control our lives, the more we become frustrated that they are not providing everything that we need. We run out of food before the end of the month. Our cash flow is just not getting us through. Groceries are skyrocketing. Obamacare has sent the cost of medical services skyrocketing or are just no longer a possibility at all.

It’s easy to get frustrated. We get irritated and upset. Discouragement easily sets in. How can I pay my bills? How can I feed my family? The stress of life is overwhelming? What are we to do?

Families are disintegrating. Billboards advertising a divorce for just $200 are springing up everywhere. Spouses begin hating each other. Children are seen as a liability. I can’t handle it anymore.

There is hope. It is not in family, friends or the system. My hope comes through my relationship with Jesus Christ. I know about tough times. I’ve been through struggles but I never lost hope. I’ve always kept my eyes on Jesus. He promises to get me through and He has never failed in that promise.

If you or someone you know is struggling with hopelessness, the first step is to get a relationship with Jesus Christ back into perspective.

If you need help with that, talk with your pastor or give me a call. I’d be ecstatic to help you get on the right track. I have discovered long ago that hope in Jesus Christ makes life “simply beautiful.”