You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

How do we survive in a climate that is unstable?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to survive the current political climate. Part of me hopes we will all band together, while another part fears people will keep worshipping the ax that cuts the tree, since doubling down is easier than admitting they were wrong.

“The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood he was one of them.”

―Turkish Proverbs

Don’t look away. Look within.

One of the best ways we can resist chaos, hatred, and fury is to take ownership of our minds and hearts. If our head is a home, lock the gates. If our heart is a lock, you own the key. Do not allow anyone or anything to control you. If they can control your emotions, they can control you. Feel what you are feeling, not what they want you to feel.

I’m not saying I am putting my head in the sand. I am saying that I will not allow anyone to make me feel anything other than clarity, peace, hope, and purpose. In times like these, it is imperative to remember how to hope by not looking away. Don’t look away. Look within. We must stay grounded.

Recenter yourself, your emotions, and your mind. Without clarity, we cannot think clearly. We cannot see through the fog if we panic in the storm.

If we are the light of the world, we must stoke the fire. We must keep our fire burning. Otherwise, the darkness will win.