August 11th

"Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my help and my God." Psalm 42:11

soul weary—
worn out from truth
bartered for applause,
neighbors turning mean spirited,
fear masquerading as wisdom.
soul weary—
from every screen flashing crisis,
every notification full of outrage,
too many reasons to think
love has turned its back on us.
but listen, weary soul—
don’t surrender your heart
to despair’s coaches,
but hope in God.
not cheap hope which
would close our eyes to suffering
but dangerous hope which
dares us to open them wide.
hope in God—
whose mercy fills the streets
whose courage blooms in
everyday people,
whose voice calls us
to build bridges.
soul weary, yes—
but though the world
is wounded,
yet we will hope
because God is not done
with us yet.

© 2026 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman