Superstition is a belief in supernatural causality; that one event leads to the cause of another without any physical process linking the two. Very closely linked to superstition is the emotion of suspicion. Suspicion is mistrust in which a person doubts the honesty of another person or believes another person to be guilty of some type of wrongdoing or crime without sure proof.

In 1962 Elvis Presley recorded a song about suspicion which became very popular in the music world. It was popular because so many people can relate to it. Both superstition and suspicion end in causality because they destroy hope in our situations and relationships.

When people lose hope, anything can and will defeat them. They are superstitious because they think that there is nothing that they can do about the situation in which they find themselves, and they are suspicious because they think that everyone is against them. They have bought into a belief and have given in to an emotion that leaves them no chance of living a victorious and joyful life. The real tragedy is that they affect others around them who might otherwise have a positive and hopeful outlook if not for their association with that superstitious and suspicious person.

Why do the majority of people first think the worse of most situations and people? Whose fault is it if we find ourselves on this path to destruction? Why is it so hard to see that this is happening to us? Is there any hope for a person who has fallen into this negative way of thinking and feeling?

These and other life questions will be addressed Sunday morning as “The Gathering Place Family” meets in the Washington Junior High School Library for Bible Study at 9:30 and in the gymnasium at 10 a.m. for our Pre-Service Connection where we enjoy coffee, juice and donuts. Our Worship Service and Children’s Church then begins at 10:30. Come at 7 p.m. and be part of our Wednesday night Bible Study and Children’s Ministry on the third floor above Trends at 120 W. Court St. in Washington Court House.