Okay, true confessions time. I do get discouraged time and again. I’m a “the glass is half full” kind of person. Hopeful, happy, see the bright side of things, see the funny side of things and do my part to make this world a better place. But I do get discouraged.
I have a few chronic diseases and that plays into the feeling of discouragement. But sometimes, the depravity of man gets to me. How defensive people can be, how snotty or rude, how one-up-man-ship comes into play in an interaction. And I just get sad about it. So when that happens, besides reading the Bible, I turn to hopeful stories.
Back in time, before the internet and youtube where a person can find a host of funny videos, endearing stories and all manner of material to entertain, all we had were books and magazines, TV and movies and of course, each other!
One book I have found that is of great encouragement is Joan Wester Anderson’s book, Where Miracles Happen. We all need hope in this world and these stories give it. They also remind me of Gods great care toward each of us all the time.
Another source of great stories is Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul and Joe Wheeler’s series, Christmas in My Heart. Amazon has many of them for sale for under ten dollars and libraries carry them as well.
If you ever get discourages, I hope you will allow yourself the privilege of finding a hopeful story or two to read.
Happy Reading!