When I wrote “Choosing Life,” I told you the first reason to survive: Things could get better and you’ll never know.  The second reason is: You can’t let them win.  “They” might be glad if you give up.  Third reason: you are strong enough to get through this.  God promised not to give you more than you can handle.  So if He let this happen, you are able to handle it even if it doesn’t feel like it.  And He is helping, even if you can’t see it.  Fourth reason: This, too, shall pass.  Nothing lasts forever.  Even this.  Fifth reason:  This is probably the bottom.  This is probably as bad as it is going to get.  And you made it this far already.

Reason six: The Devil will have to pay you double for all the trouble he causes you.  So as bad as it is, soon it will be twice as good.  Reason seven: As long as there is life, there is hope.  So, you have to stay alive to see the hope that is coming. Reason eight: Your life affects others, whether you like it or not, whether you understand it or not.  It just does.  And someone who loves you will have to live with something he doesn’t deserve if you don’t survive.  Reason nine: the very next second you will be standing face to face with the Lord, and you will have to explain to Him why you gave up.   And, finally, reason ten: God loves you and has a plan for your life, a plan for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Sahuaro cactus are majestic creations.  They grow tall and strong in a hostile environment.  And when everything else is gasping for air in all the heat, they bloom.

Sahuaro Blossoms