do you despair?

Anne of Green Gables was the first chick flick Matt watched with me when we were dating.  He’s a good man. 

One scene from the movie preaches often to my mind. 

Says the orphan, Anne Shirley, to her new caregiver, Marilla, as she follows her up the stairs.  Can’t you even imagine you’re in the depths of despair? 

Marilla Cuthbert turns around sharply on the stairs and says firmly:  No I cannot.  To despair is to turn your back on God. 

Paul says to the disciples of Jesus, “Do not be anxious about anything.”  (Philippians 4:6  NIV)   

Back to God.  Face to the problem.  Ann Voskamp, in her book One Thousand Gifts, describes this way of living as atheism. 

Back to the problem.  Face to God.  This is discipleship. 

Which one defines you?