Ms. Mabel, 

How do I keep going?

I get overwhelmed with all the awful news, the AI that feels like it’s taking over everything, and then my neighbor tells me to stock up on canned goods and hunker down for the end of the world! And that doesn’t even take into account all the ads telling me my brain is mush and my body is decaying, so I need this drink mix or diet plan.

I’m just trying to pay bills, love my family, and not lose it when another driver runs a red light.

Hair On Fire,

‍Hendersonville

Truth be told, Darlin, this world has a funny way of showing you exactly what you're looking for.

If you're hunting for reasons to be scared, you'll find them lined up like carts at Walmart on a Saturday.

If you're determined to prove there's something wrong with you, it won't take but about five seconds before your mind starts handing you evidence.

And if you've got your jaw set on being mad today, the devil himself will gladly pull up a chair and help you make a list.

Now, the experts call that "confirmation bias," but around here I'd say it's just part of how the Good Lord wired us.

I know, I know. Sounds crazier than a squirrel wearing a raincoat. Stay with me.

See, you've got more say-so over your thoughts than you think. You can flip that whole thing around just by changing what you're looking for.

The same brain that's busy counting every problem can start counting blessings.

The same algorithm that's feeding you doom, gloom, and everybody else's foolishness can start feeding your soul reminders that there's still good people, good things, and good days left in this world.

Now, I ain't saying it's easy.

Your brain can be just like a cranky toddler hollering, "I ain't tired!" while falling asleep face-first into a chicken nugget.

It takes intention.

Take every thought captive. Pay attention to how it sits in your spirit and feels in your body.

Put that daggum phone down for a minute and go outside.

Feel the sunshine. Watch the birds. Smell the grass.

Stop acting like every situation is somehow about you and start really seeing people.

Pray for folks who get on your last nerve.

Look for ways to leave somebody a little better than you found them.

Hold a door. Send a text. Offer a smile.

Quit feeding your mind a steady diet of negativity and start serving it hope.

In fact, become downright addicted to hope.

Start looking for it everywhere.

Look for it in the little things. In the hard things. In the dark corners where most folks don't even bother to glance.

Because every tiny glimpse of hope is like a deposit in the bank.

And, honey, those deposits earn interest.

Over time, they grow into the kind of wealth that money can't buy.

Hope is the currency of a day well spent and the nest egg that helps carry you through life's storms.

Now, where does my hope come from?

Well, it sure ain't my bank account.

It ain't the economy.

It ain't my circumstances.

And as much as I love my family, it ain't even them.

My hope comes from the Lord.

Because God never promised me everything would stay the same.

He never promised life would be easy.

But He did promise His mercies would be new every morning.

And every sunrise I get to see is proof that He is still writing my story.

And if you're reading this today, Honey, He ain't finished with you either.

So go on now.

Go find your hope today.

I’ll be praying for you, Darlin.