Bene Farben der Hoffnung

Every day, the news is filled with alarming reports, and many conflicts are escalating. It is difficult to maintain hope in light of all this. Hope for justice, for reconciliation, for peace, for love, happiness, comfort - for a good future. That we can put an end to hatred, defend democracy, create justice, and somehow halt climate change. We need to manage our fear well. Suppressing fear and not talking about our anxieties makes us sick. Unresolved fears can be destructive. Fear can paralyze, destroy lives - and it can be exploited. We can learn this from the past. Today, it is the alleged "foreign infiltration" that brings neo-Nazis to the streets. Those who sow fear will reap hatred and violence. In her new book, Margot Kässmann approaches hope and fear from a biblical and theological perspective, but also very personally. She has had to deal with a serious illness herself and understands the feeling of distress, which - unlike fear - does not always have to be triggered by a specific cause. Margot Kässmann does not dwell on fears; she knows the power of faith, the power of love and hope, and says: "For me, the Christian faith is a crucial anchor in life. I can entrust my fear to God; in God, I can find peace, courage, hope. This does not mean that there is a life without fear for Christians. But they know where to find support. They find prayers, words of comfort, rituals, and encouragement in the rich tradition of the Bible and liturgy. Together, we may hope. And we are called to stand up for our convictions!" Illustrated with 14 full-color images and colored sketches by the artist Eberhard Münch.