There’s a lot of violence swirling around us right now. Layered onto that, political rhetoric has become brutal, mass shootings continue, and so many voices, from media to social feeds, distort, gaslight, or manipulate until it’s hard to tell what’s real. Add to that the growing concerns about health insurance affordability in 2026, food prices, the world our children and grandchildren will have to navigate, plus all the personal stuff we're dragging around... It’s all very heavy, and it will likely grow heavier.

It's a lot.

By nature, I’m optimistic. I don’t tend to worry, and while I remain grounded in reality, I’ve always leaned toward hope. I still am hopeful, but these days I have to work at it a little more, and not give in to the despair and anger spinning through the ether.

Are you struggling too, Reader? How's your soul?

These times, which feel unprecedented to us, aren’t really new. Throughout history, people have wrestled with tremendous, terrible things. And through it all, the Spirit speaks. God calls. Jesus redeems. Hope rises.

Hope isn’t wishful thinking; it’s a steady anchor in the middle of storms. It’s the reminder that God has not abandoned us, and that Jesus keeps showing up in ways we might overlook unless we pause to notice. The more space we make for Jesus in our lives, the more we find ourselves grounded instead of shaken, and softened instead of hardened.

When it comes to carrying the weight of the world’s chaos, Jesus is the one who does the heavy lifting. Honestly, Jesus is the only one equipped to do it. If you’re feeling the strain this week, or any week, don’t try to carry it all yourself. And certainly don't fall into the thinking that it's yours to fix. Let prayer be your pause. Let Scripture be your centering. Let Jesus be your strength.

My wish for you this week, Reader, is to find ways to connect with the Divine presence that formed you, called you, and holds you. Tend to your Spirit and it will open a path forward. Breathe. Pray. Repeat. That's the fiLLLed life.

Live a fiLLLed life, Melissa ​