HOPE TRIUMPHS

WHERE DO I GO NOW? WHOM DO I TRUST?

Image credit: FRANCESCA ZAMA on Pexels.

By REVEREND TONY ZEKVELD

“Where do I go? With whom do I speak?” So many among us are struggling with anxiety and depression. Many carry the burden of guilt and need to talk about it with someone.

But we are often afraid. We don’t want anyone to know. We don’t want to become vulnerable So we don’t open up and share. We may then add a third question, “Whom do I trust?”

Some years ago, I received a booklet display with a number of booklets covering many topics. We still have it. You may walk away discreetly with a booklet in hand without anyone knowing. Among the many titles: Domestic Abuse: Recognize, Respond, Rescue; Depression: The Way Up When You are Down; Anger: Escaping the Maze; Worry: Pursuing a Better Path to Peace; Stress: Peace Amid Pressure; Why Me?: Comfort for the Victimized;  Pornography: Slaying the Dragon.  

These booklets belong to a set entitled Resources for Changing Lives: 31 Booklet Set (P&R Publishing). You may also request one from the Hope Centre by emailing hopecentre@primus.ca or calling 416-740-0543. We want to help. We want to offer resources even if we never meet you. Or if you would like to speak with or visit someone at the Hope Centre you are welcome to do so.

We also offer a Daily Devotional (daily reading) called Nearer to God. It features a short reading from the Bible and a one-page reflection to encourage and to bring comfort. You may request it and we will send it to you.

At times when people are downcast and troubled over a crisis they are facing, they want to pray but they don’t know how to pray. In the middle of the Bible there is a Book called the Psalms. The Psalms cover every range of human emotions and you may use them as prayers to God.  For example, Psalm 43 is a prayer offered to God in time of trouble: “Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me...”

Allow me to encourage you by saying that there is One who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds: the Lord Jesus, the living One. He hears your cries. He answers. He says to those burdened with guilt, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden; and I will give you rest.”  

Reverend Tony Zekveld can be reached at 416-740-0543 and tzekveld@primus.ca. If you would like to learn more about Hope Academy, feel free to visit www.hope-academy.ca.