By Nancy Virden (c)2020
It looks innocuous, but then, most poisons do.
He lifts the old bottle to sunlight, hoping somehow brightness will allow the secret to escape. For days this thick-glassed, rusty-lidded curiosity has sat on his desk, promising a reward of rich verbiage and dreadful scares. Only now, writer’s block seems to own the bottle and to have locked up all its delectable mysteries.
For the hundredth time he sets the bottle to rest. Black ink scribbles where words ought to go, random doodles of nothingness, a blank mind on paper. Bored and terribly desperate for fresh inspiration, a thing of beauty perhaps, or a riddle, any fire-starter for the imagination, he impulsively decides to open the unmarked bottle.
It takes some doing without proper tools. A failed twist leaves his hands orange, and dangerously close to bleeding. After gently tapping, followed by careless impatient knocking at the screw top with the handle of a knife, it loosens enough to finish the job without danger to his hand.
Anticipation has grown during this struggle. Unaware the deadliness circling on the inside, he sniffs at the contents. Nothing. He studies it, observing only a brownish thin liquid. Dribbling it onto his desk, there is so little of it, he watches it splay into an odd circle less than three inches wide. After dunking a fingertip in the middle, he rolls it on his thumb. There is little to set it apart from dirty water except for its consistency.
He ponders whether to explore further. Dampness on his finger sways his adventurous side. “No risk no gain,” he mumbles to himself. Slowly, he raises it to his tongue.
What ending for the would-be writer do you want?
I want a rescue, preferably someone entering the room in the nick of time. For comedic value, it would be fun if he fell out of his chair, his sleeve soaking up the rest of the poison, his finger drying on the carpet. Liquid gone. Happy ending.
Like the story above, we do not know endings in life, either. Times like the present may give us an early sense that our story is over. It is not! Each morning unfolds a mystery that can only be told at the end of day. That is precisely why we can stop worrying.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? – Jesus
Luke 12:25,26
The only One who knows the future is also in charge of it. Whether the future holds ease or struggle for us, God will not be confused. He promises to guide us all the way. Jesus said each day has enough trouble of its own. It’s true. Tomorrow is none of our business. We can let it go.
‘I, the Lord, am the first, and with the last. I am He.’”
Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Isaiah/41/4
Things are tough around the world. What we can know for certain, if we want to, is the power, goodness and love of God. If you have trouble believing this or think it is crockery, then you do not know Him. It is not too late- his door is a welcoming one. He promises to open it to anyone who knocks.
Today’s Helpful Word
Colossians 1:15-17
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together
Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair.
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NOTE: I am not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speak only from personal experiences and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.
If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.
If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!
Always the Fight 