Finding hope: Tips are offered to find light after a dark year

If there ever was a year in modern history where all hope seemed lost, 2020 is the year. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken lives and turned everyone else’s upside down. It is not easy to hold on to hope in the midst of tragedy and upheaval. On top of that, everyday struggles still plague many, and the holidays are a lonely time for some. Finding hope when all seems dark can be difficult, even for the most positive people. Local clergy and medical personnel have shared their advice and words of wisdom for finding hope.
Janet Armand, Director of Nursing at New Horizons of Savoy Medical Center, said socializing helps with depression and general feelings of hopelessness. While it may be difficult to do that because of COVID restrictions, she said, “You can do outdoor activities with other people. The sunshine itself helps so many. The biggest thing is to connect with people.” Volunteering has also been known to bring about a sense of hope and joy. She further said social media can be filled with bad news, but “there are so many good things going on in your community.” She suggested joining church groups and attending social events, when possible. She went on to say COVID might seem like the end of the world, but there is “a light to the end of the tunnel,” just as there was during the Spanish Flu 100 years ago. Life continued and even thrived after that pandemic, and she said it will happen again after this one.
Armand urged anyone who is in deep despair to reach out for help, saying there is no more stigma about mental health. She suggested asking your doctor to refer you to a counselor or psychiatrist, and said anyone is welcome to call New Horizons at 337-468-0111. “If we can’t take you, we can tell you who can,” she said, adding mental health medications have improved greatly over the years. “People need to not be afraid of that. Don’t be afraid of reaching out and getting help.” Armand recommended The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)’s help line which is 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org. New Horizons can provide further resources for anyone looking for help.
Father Tom Voorhies, pastor of Sacred Heart, said the story of the birth of Jesus can inspire hope in difficult times. “The pandemic, for us, is somewhat like the situation of that first Christmas when Joseph and Mary had to travel 80 miles to Bethlehem, only to find no room in the inn,” he said. “Joseph would have known the area since he grew up there and remembered the cave. There, Jesus would be born. Some say Joseph had even prayed there as a child for the coming of the Messiah. Then Joseph had to protect Jesus from Herod who was seeking his life. This might give us hope in our own difficult situation, that God is with us and guiding us to a better day.”
Reverend Darwan Lazard, pastor of Ville Platte’s Ninth Missionary Baptist Church, added his words of wisdom: “While 2020 has been the most difficult year for so many in our community and deadly for so many in our nation, every believer in Jesus Christ should be comforted in knowing the Almighty God is aware of our situation and He cares for us. Apostle Paul penned Romans 8:28 (CEV) which says, ‘We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves Him. They are the ones God has chosen for His purpose.’”
Lazard continued, “Despite what has happened and may occur in the waning days of 2020, every believer can be joyous in knowing God is working all things for our benefit and blessing, even when we can’t see it. As we look forward to 2021, I advise everyone to ‘Hold to God’s Unchanging Hands’ because life is ‘filled with swift transitions.’ Proverbs 3:5-7 (CEV) says, ‘With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgement. Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow. Don’t ever think that you are wise enough, but respect the Lord and stay away from evil.’ God is able to bring us to a better place, regardless of where we have been in the past.”