Dare you trust, love, care, give? It hurts so much to hold onto the brand. It hurts even more to let it go. For though you let it go, the fires have become a part of you. They have melted into your very form. As the glowing, smoking red iron peels away, your spirit screams when your own flesh peels away with it. 

You are burning, throbbing, aching to grasp it again. Burning never hurt so much as this!
But you don’t. You grit your teeth and clench your bleeding fist. It will heal. The pain will fade. You just need time. Hope. Strength. Courage.

Optimism.

And yet optimism is so, so dangerous. Dare you use it? Dare you let it have a dwelling place inside you?

Is hope really worth the cost?

You pause, staring at the black-and-white. You reread. You hear the voice inside whisper “Yes! You know it is worth the cost!”

But what is this voice? Is it your spirit? Your soul? Or is just your mind, telling you the logical way out with no reference for feelings or emotional desire?Why so many questions?

You are confused. Perhaps questions make it more confusing, but then again, perhaps they don’t.

“They might not be so confusing if you actually answered them.” You think bitterly to yourself.

You wonder about what you are writing. The structure, the syntax, the setting, the voice. Then you realize:

This is your voice. You are a creature of words in need of ink and pen – or board and keys. Without them, nothing makes sense. Without them, dreams never become reality. Without them . . .

Well, without them, you never would have experienced the pain you have. You never would have had to worry about friends, acquaintances and all the frustration, trial and woe that go with them. Then again, you never would have had all the wonderfully beautiful experiences you have had. The joy, laughter, love, even grief. They are wonderful – like the different tones in the rainbow of life. The different tunes in the vast, glorious symphony of existence.

But was it worth it? Is it worth it? Can it be worth it?

“Yes, yes it can,” you tell yourself. With the words, you believe it’s true. It can be worth it.

“Why?” the pessimist within challenges.

“Because it is worth it,” you reply.

“Why?” the pessimist again says.

“Because it was worth it,” you reply.

“Why?!” the pessimist shrieks.

“Because I believe!” you cry, “I believe it was worth it. I believe it is. I believe it will be, not because of myself, but because there is Someone above myself who has said ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’

Who has said ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.’

Who has said ‘All things work together for good.’

Who has said ‘I know the plans I have for you.’

Who has said ‘You believe in God; believe also in Me.’”

Leaning back, you breathe a deep sigh. Sure, life is going to be tough from here out. So?

You have all you need right here, in a touch of optimism:


Hebrews 13:5

John 11:25

Romans 8:28

Jeremiah 29:11

John 14:10