In today’s world, horrendous things may happen to our lives, but our defining moment lies not in what we experience but on how we react.

Devastated, overwhelmed, shattered, tormented are feelings of people who grapple with enormous problems – the loss of a loved one, the onset of a debilitating disease, acrimonious marital disputes, disastrous business or financial ventures – breeding hopelessness that threatens their very lives. Aggravating such hopelessness and despair are disasters, terrorism, wars, poverty, among others, which continue to haunt mankind. Little wonder then, that man’s life in this world is considered by many as grim.

Others, meanwhile, fall to allure of worldly things when problems confront them. Their ready response to the stark realities of life is to rely on other wealth, or in earthly wisdom and knowledge, believing that these things can give lasting solution to their problems.

So the next time afflictions strike us, how do we react? Do we just surrender and give up hope, or do we trust fully in God’s graces? Do we depend upon someone with fabulous riches or those with immense fame and power? Where does our hope lie? Is there still hope for mankind?