Published March 2, 2025

by Andy Berges

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"It's a brand new world today!" 

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That was how I was greeted by an elderly woman one morning 30+ years ago when my mind was consumed with thoughts of gloom. Her profound statement forever changed my perspective on life.

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This frail woman, ​nearing the end of her life sitting in a wheelchair with a nasal cannula to help her breathe, was smiling and feeling hopeful about the day ahead. Meanwhile, there I was in my 20s, with my whole life ahead of me, feeling depressed about a temporary problem.

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It was as if God placed her in my path that day to transform my thoughts and help me realize that my problems were not as bad as I made them out to be. The thoughts of despair I was overwhelmed with were immediately replaced with feelings of hope after hearing those six words from her.

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Jesus forewarned us that, “In this world we will have trouble.” We all face challenging days throughout our lives when we wish today was tomorrow. However, it's essential that we keep the faith and remain hopeful on those difficult days because our lives are fleeting and the "todays" we have are limited.

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During those challenging moments, we should remember Isaiah 41:10: “Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

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Since encountering the woman that morning, I have awakened every morning feeling grateful, regardless of what my problems may be at the time. I remind myself that countless people throughout the world lived their final day of life on Earth yesterday, and I thank God each morning for granting me another day of life.

 

While we all experience dark days, our sunny days will far outnumber the dark ones. Each new sunrise offers us a fresh start. Those of us who have many mornings remaining should be grateful, regardless of the trials and tribulations we may face.

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Every morning we need to thank God for blessing us with another day of life. As Psalm 118:24 reminds us, "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." - and as a wise elderly woman living in her twilight years once said, “It’s a brand new world today!”