Joe Errickson
"When hope is crushed, the heart is crushed, but a wish come true fills you with joy."
Miss America 1999, Nicole Johnson, recently spoke at Berry College championing and encouraging people afflicted with diabetes. What a wonderful spokesperson with a message born of her own experience. She detailed the hardships of the disease and the impact on her life. It almost derailed her quest to be Miss America. Had she listened to the naysayers, she would have never competed in another beauty pageant, finished college, nor held full time employment. Furthermore, she would never have had a child. She was told she couldn't handle the stress with her diabetes. Her heart was crushed. Did she have reason to give up hope?
She has since overcome those challenges, despite living with extremely brittle diabetes. She refused to give up hope, finding pleasure in proving she could overcome the challenges she faced. Chuck Swindell wrote that what we make of our lives is determined ten percent by what happens to us, and ninety percent by how we respond to it. Nicole Johnson is living proof of the power of a positive attitude.
Nicole's closing thought was profound and provided insight into the inner joy she exudes. "A pessimist sees the challenge in every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every challenge." Given our hope through Jesus Christ, we can all learn from those who never give up facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, may we never forget our hope lies in you, our Bridge over troubled water. Amen.
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