Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom, lead thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home, lead thou me on! - John Henry Cardinal Newman

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

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Awakening in a gloom and doom mood, closing my eyes with the hope it will go away, refusing to get up to face the day...that was today. Finally made myself move and get on with it, exerpts from my devotional readings spoke directly to me. Not at all unusual. I particularly like the metaphorical analogy of the photographer's lens being able to "Zoom Out" for a big picture view rather than staying focused on a specific problem.
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"My dad brings his camera along wherever he goes. For him, even a walk around the neighborhood can turn into an opportunity for a photo shoot. As years have gone by
and our family has welcomed in-laws, children, and grandchildren, Dad has zoomed out his camera lens more and more so that we all fit in the picture.

Watching Dad has taught me something important. To help us maintain perspective on our circumstances, my wife and I apply the concept of zooming out. When money is tight, a loved one is ill, or a conflict arises, we take a few minutes to shift from our limited viewpoint to God's more long-term outlook. This is a practical way to increase joy and to decrease fear.
Focusing on close-up shots of any problem can be overwhelming. God does not want us to live in fear. Rather, God wants us to experience the abundant life possible for us. When we feel consumed by a situation, we can "zoom out."
- Kevin Heffernan (California, U.S.A.) The Upper Room, August 24, 2008.