Despair Is Not A Method

The country has expressed its reaction to this administration’s perception of the State of the Union. It is pleasant to see that there is still a glimmer of hope among those willing to be courageous. In spite of the challenges that lay before us, it is my hope that we are able to come together and find viable solutions to the obstacles we face. I believe we have the will to face those difficult tasks, but we must also possess the wisdom to do such. Let us see how we can implement those changes.

Many of you have questions on how to achieve success on this all-important matter. It is with confidence that this administration declares that there are answers in agreement with the Word of God, the standard to which we adhere. It is our determination and purpose to live the right and God-centered way of life, devoid of terror and its destructive ways. One way to do so is through effective and heartfelt communication.

It is understood that we operate on different plains, different levels. It has been said that men and women are wired in unique and complex ways. This is true, but it does not excuse the erratic and hurtful behavior that some have engaged in. It is this type of action that leads to confrontation, complaints, terror and sadness. Our policy is that we do not negotiate with those who practice such tactics. It is not just about coming together, it is about designing a roadmap to success with benchmarks, realistic expectations, realistic goals that we can all achieve and implement.

It has been mentioned that men desire and seek to have respect from the opposite sex. The same could be said for women. How is it that we as men or women can gain that respect and how can a member of the opposite gender show us respect? It is important to note that to earn it one must first show it. Much as with friendship, we are to follow a Biblical principle in regards to respect. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly…” (Proverbs 18:24). This not only refers to how our conduct should be in order to gain friends but it can also be implemented to the topic of respect. People, to be able to have that respect we have to make sure our conduct is such that is deserving of respect. Our thoughts, our actions, our words should reflect Godly character. We cannot demand support when we ourselves engage in behavior conducive to terror.

Critical to our success in this battle of ideologies is our mindset. This fight is largely dependent on our attitudes. There are some who have a defeatist attitude and provide no solution of their own or who operate on flawed processes that predict failure and are thereby self-fulfilling. Criticism, controversy, baseless claims, and a hope falsely founded are not paths leading to cooperation. Negativity and finger pointing, as well as our own denial, will not make the situation any better. We need to focus on the positives all of us can bring to our respective situations. We acknowledge that we do not have all the answers, yet there is the underlying truth that happiness can be had when we come together in agreement for the greater good.

In accordance with agreement, we are to set reachable benchmarks as to how we engage the situation. We need to have an understanding that life is a struggle and there will be times of confusion and potential despair. How we react to this generational battle will define our success. We aim for the Godly response, one in which strength of faith, resolve and conviction are our strongest allies. This goes for all of us who desire results. Change doesn’t come by remaining idle; we make it happen through active engagement. We make it happen by making the efforts our Creator has outlined, the efforts that our Father in heaven will bless.

It has been said that hope is not a strategy. Indeed, by itself it is not a method. However, the strategy must include hope. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's statement to Gen. John Abizaid regarding the violence in Iraq: "Hope is not a strategy." Abizaid responded, "I would also say that despair is not a method. As we nod to the general who has fought battles and knows how wars are won… we ourselves say: Despair is not a method; rather we are to choose hope knowing that when we have found something special, with someone special, it should be held on to. We are to use everything in our power to protect it, arming ourselves with the word of God, faith, logic and reasoning, each based upon the former.