Hope When Life is Stinking Hard

Life is hard. Sometimes, it is stinking' hard.

On my most difficult days, the thing that keeps me putting one foot in front of the other is my living Hope. In desperation, I turned to the One who saves. You see, Jesus Christ is my victory. He is the One who has set me free. Therefore,

I am free of guilt.

I am free from fear.

I am free from bondage.

I am free from anger.

I am free from depression.

True Story. Period.

And Friend, if you need a little hope today, let me tell you about my Jesus because, as a believer, you, too, are free.

You are free of guilt.

You are free from fear.

You are free from bondage.

You are free from depression.

True Story. Period.

Why?

Because Jesus is our Living Hope who wants nothing more than to set you and me free. John 3:17 (ESV) reads, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." I can testify. He will set you free when you surrender your life to Him. There is nothing that can separate you from Him. He is your Hope.

Jesus is the Living Hope who will help you and me overcome fears. Psalm 34:4-5 (ESV): "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed." Once upon a time, I lived in fear. I was afraid to travel by myself. I was fearful of speaking on a stage. I was filled with anxiety and worried for my children. However, I no longer live in fear. My Living Hope has removed the anxiety. I have scary moments, but I do not operate out of fear. You can be set free from your fear and worry, too. Jesus is your Living Hope.

Jesus is the Living Hope who will free you and me from bondage. He can remove the grip of this world from your life. He will give you victory in Him. Trust Him. He has freed me.

Jesus is my Living Hope who will give peace when you and I are filled with anger or depression. "And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust a forever." Isaiah 32:17 (ESV) With this Living Hope, everything changes. He makes us new. He lives within us. He did it for me, and He will do it for you.

With the Lord, joy comes in the morning. Your mourning will be turned into dancing and celebration! (Psalm 30: 5-11) Friend, today is a good day for a good day because we can have peace in problems, hope in hardships, and victory in vain situations because Christ is our living hope.

(Disclaimer: This is an updated version of an older post, but still true- :) So enjoy for the first time or enjoy it again.)