Be Strong and of Good Courage

(Denny Edwards)

Uncertainty and constant change affect our lives in many ways these days. Emotions for most move backwards and forward, like those swings in the park playground. Life feels like and in reality, will never be the same for millions of people directly and indirectly walking in the shadows of this pandemic.

Anne Frank in her diary talks about the shadows that took away much in life. Yet, one of her famous quotes is one of encouragement in dark times, “Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness”. It would be nice to think that we could control the things we don’t like, hide from the storms of sadness and suffering and the pain of being.

What encourages me about Anne Frank’s quote, is despite living in an attic with eight other Jewish people for two years and not being able to leave the house because it could cost her life, this did not define her. It was what she carried inside – a faith and a purpose that defied and defined the dark shadows of her circumstances. Knowing this I would not be surprised that Anne might have referred to this passage in Isaiah 41;10 often “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; Amen