Are you discouraged like me?

Have you experienced discouragement in the past year? With all that has happened in our world, our country, our neighborhoods, our private lives … we have certainly all felt disheartened.

As older people we may feel like discouragement hits us the hardest because we feel lonely, out of the ordinary, suffering grief when our loved ones die, feeling pain, discomfort when we are struggling against physical problems, dealing with blockages and federal rules that change almost daily. All of us in our society have felt a deep and serious discouragement over the past year.

Many of us are discouraged by our federal government. Are they really guiding us or are they just articulating empty promises? Do they really know how most Americans feel these days, how frustrated, discouraged and fearful we have become? Growing up, I remember FDR as president, but I didn’t even know he was in a wheelchair. No television at this time and limited media coverage. At that time and for years afterward, I trusted the federal government, I voted for candidates who “appeared” to be honest and trustworthy.

Now I realize how naive I was. First of all, I didn’t really know what had happened in Washington, I just put complete trust in the heads of government, respecting and honoring their public service. Politics was something that sounded interesting, but not enough to make me want to get involved. However, now in 2021, thanks to the mass media, we know the details of government decision-making, the pros and cons of debates, the subtle controversial ingredients of House bills, and we realize that our government is ruled by cases of subterfuge leading to hidden taxes and favoring certain government priorities that benefit politicians.

Suddenly, I admit now that I worry about our security as a nation, I wonder how our adversaries will take advantage of us, and above all, what is the future of my children and grandchildren?

There is a solution to my discouragement. I believe in one true God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Even in these days of weakness, vulnerability, mistrust and confusion in our country, my Lord is in control. I don’t see him, I don’t feel him, but I know he is there to help us and guide us. Hebrews 13: 6: “The Lord is my help, I will not be afraid. Chapter 9 of the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament is a wonderful example of how believers can pour out their hearts and pray to God. By admitting our own sin and infidelity, God listens and will heal our earth.

How was our country born? The Declaration of Independence states: “We take these truths for granted, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. . Our creator is Almighty God, recognized in our famous statement. Is God ignored today in our government? Is God recognized with respect and obedience as our creator? Almighty God wants every citizen of the United States to enjoy life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. We believe this and we believe that prayer means that we speak with God and that he listens to our pleas.

Yes, prayer is what our beloved country needs now. Vista Springs Holland Meadows here in Holland is a facility for the elderly who need help with everyday life. What can seniors do in a time like this? PRAY! We, residents, have opened a daily prayer time. We meet for 20 minutes of prayer just before noon dinner. We are just getting started, in small numbers, but will grow as more of us realize the opportunity to speak with God. We pray diligently that our United States of America will once again be the world leader in freedom, liberty and strength, with total respect and faith in our Creator.

– Community columnist Janet Baird Weisiger is a resident of the Netherlands, residing in Vista Springs. Read his blog at jweisiger.blogspot.com.