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Have you ever felt trapped in a series of unfortunate events, where one sad thing led to the next? Where it seemed like you were standing in the ocean when a tidal wave pummeled you to the ground, and the second you had the chance to wipe off the sand and stand back up, another wave came crashing down? In these times, it seems easy to give up hope. This is when our thoughts matter most of all.

Picture it like this: you’re in the middle of the ocean, wearing a life vest that fills up with your thoughts. Your negative thoughts are heavy rocks, while your positive thoughts are oxygen. If you choose to think negative thoughts, rocks will fill your life vest and weigh you down under the rushing waters. However, if you choose to think positive thoughts, your life vest will fill with the oxygen you need to stay afloat! So, when things feel difficult, who can we look to for positivity? Who is our oxygen? God! The writer of Psalms tells us that God, in all circumstances, will provide. God will renew our cheer! And though the seas of negativity may look large, God’s love is infinitely larger.

This week, when you experience doubt, I challenge you to focus your thoughts on God. The comfort you find in God will be your life vest. It will bring you hope and deliver you safely to shore when it feels like waves are crashing all around you.

Written by Natalie, age 16, from Winter Park, Florida, USA