Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 16:9
It should have been a signal to all of us when the Houston Texans lost to the Chiefs in the NFL playoffs, but the year just got worse from there. From the COVID-19 pandemic to the crash of the oil and gas industry, which combined to cause a serious economic downturn, this year has been a series of lowlights. Throw in riots and the tropical storm that just flooded South Texas and you can make a pretty compelling case that 2020 is wearing us down.
So, the question is, what do we do? That question also has a single word answer: persevere.
The strength to persevere has to come from within, but that strength can be bolstered by the process of taking inventory of the world around us.
Number one, we are still blessed to live in the greatest country our species has ever known. The experiment in democracy kicked off by our founders more than 200 years ago, is still strong, despite ongoing efforts to undermine the fundamental values that have guided our success to date.
Secondly, we are blessed to live in the greatest state, Texas. One need only listen to people broken down by the mindless taxation and legal restrictions of places like New York and California to realize that the Texas experiment in self-determination makes us the greatest place to build a life.
Third, remember that people are still good deep down. Despite the fussing and fighting that happen in social media, in the press and elsewhere, there are far more stories of people helping one another in tough times. For example, I consider every instance of a Texan wearing a mask to protect their neighbors from the spread of coronavirus a good deed. The more each of us can do to write additional stories like that, the better things will be for all of us.
Even as I write this, neighbors are helping neighbors in South Texas, and the Texas Department of Emergency Management is guiding the efforts of a mix of state agencies, local first responders and charitable organizations to help our fellow Texans being affected by the storm.
Finally, and most importantly, God still loves us and has a plan for us to prosper. As we are told in the book of Galatians quoted above, there is a reward for perseverance, especially if we are persevering in doing good for others, regardless of our own circumstance.
So, as a fellow striver in a year that will go down in infamy, I encourage you to put down your phone, turn off the TV, go outside, breathe some fresh air, hug a loved one, and know that things are going to work out.