“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” —Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Since the beginning of time, every generation has faced calamities and crises. Out of curiosity, I began reflecting on the trials America has weathered in my own lifetime.

Born in 1950, I grew up in the shadow of World War II. Families, schools and communities still carried its aftereffects. In the decades that followed, my generation witnessed the Korean War, the threat of polio, the Asian flu, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the removal of prayer in schools and the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. Race riots and anti-war protests further divided the nation.

The 1970s, ’80s and ’90s brought their own challenges: an attempt on President Ronald Reagan’s life, the Challenger shuttle explosion and the Persian Gulf War. Entering the new millennium, fears of the Y2K computer collapse gave way to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Columbia shuttle tragedy, the swine flu and the war in Iraq.

Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic upended our world, sparking lockdowns, supply shortages and deep divisions. Layered on top of all this have been recessions, stock market crashes, natural disasters and today’s growing political corruption. I haven’t even touched on mass shootings or rising inflation.

Every generation carries its own burdens, yet God never promised life would be a walk in the park. 

Looking at this list of disasters, we can see evidence of our broken human nature. But in the midst of it all, God calls us to lean on Him. Scripture reminds us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

I cannot imagine living in these times without a God who fights for us and encourages us to “be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

That is why I can rise each day with peace, love and joy, trusting He has a purpose for me. I choose to “set my mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2) and bring light to others—even in a season of darkness. For all believers, our calling is to spread hope that cancels out despair.

Yes, disasters will come, but His blessings far outweigh the disasters of the world. And that, I believe, is our own tale of two cities.

“Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)