1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Have you ever lost all hope? Most of us have been in a situation on occasion where we feel hopeless. Loss of a dream for your life when you come to the moment that you know it’s never going to happen, a failed marriage, a job loss with no way to cover the bills next month, a drug addicted son or daughter, a health diagnosis, or even worse yet the death of someone you love. These painful life experiences are no respecter of persons, rich or poor, trouble comes to everyone at some point in life. No amount of money can buy more time or bring a loved one back to us after they have passed from life to death. The Bible says in Proverbs 13:12a “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” This kind of pain hurts to the core of our being but there is hope that Jesus is close to us when we are brokenhearted according to Psalm 34:18.

Jesus lived in this world and felt the pain of loss just like we do today so He understands our pain and temptations as human beings. His heart breaks for us when we suffer because He loves us so much beyond what our human mind can even comprehend. He answered the call to come and give His life for us because we had no hope to escape the effects of sin on all of mankind. The sin that invaded humanity brings a hopelessness that leads to eternity without God but faith in Jesus and believing that he died and rose from death to give us eternal life brings us hope that is immeasurable. Though we may suffer in this life we know it is temporary and God will make all things right in the perfect time.

”For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Personally, my suffering is exactly what led me to my greatest growth spiritually in seeking God and finding answers for the questions that bombarded my mind regarding my own existence. Feeling rejected and abandoned because I grew up not knowing the love of a father or even who my father was, and then an abusive stepfather. In my search I found Psalm 68:5 says, “I am the Father of the fatherless, defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.” This truth gave me a sense of belonging and being loved by God and filled a void in my heart. Many people have fathers they knew and lived with but because of brokenness these fathers did not know how to show love to their children. Heart wounds can go really deep and affect future generations negatively. God is also Father to those who have earthly fathers who are less than fathers. There is hope for healing of all the wounds that life deals us, in spite of our beginnings. First step is turning to God the Father and accepting Jesus as Savior. My whole perspective changed as I surrendered my life to my Creator. Hope became alive within my heart.

Psalm 33:22 “May your unfailing love be with us Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” Psalm 71:14 “As for me, I will always have hope, I will praise you more and more!” Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.”

Dear Friend, Jesus is our living hope and longs to give you new life in being born again as you believe in Him! It’s so simple, just say a little prayer if you’ve never asked Him into your life, or if you need to return to Him, now is a good time! Here’s a little example; Jesus I come to you just as I am, forgive me of my sins, I believe you died for me and rose from death to life so that I will have eternal life in heaven with you and new hope in this life I’m living! (Add whatever you want to say, He hears you when you call on Him.)

Grace and Peace, Sharon Kay