DOWNCAST, BUT NOT IN DESPAIR

 

DOWNCAST, BUT NOT IN DESPAIR - Perhaps there is a fine line between being downcast and in despair.  I find it interesting that Paul of Tarsus uttered seemingly contradictory statements in the same letter: "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself," and a few chapters later, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair."  All of us have been downcast on occasion, I suppose.  The events of the past 18 months have been reason enough to cause anyone to be downcast.  But may we have the grace of young Anne Frank who often had cause to be downcast, but never gave into despair.