Hope

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

After reading my blog yesterday, my sister asked me if she should be worried about me, to which I replied, "No; I am great!" So for those of you who gathered that I am in deep despair and hopelessness, I am writing to tell you that my life is quite the contrary!

When we are walking in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ there is no justified hopelessness. God tells us that he has plans that include giving us hope. So as believers, if we feel hopelessness it is our perceived reality. The truth is that there is always hope. (Did you gather the emphasis on the words feel and truth?)

The article I wrote yesterday was in fact an expression of past emotional pain. I wanted to share this so that I may empathize with those of you who have, are, or will experience this type of pain. The enemy persuades us to buy into the lie that we go through trials on our own. The truth is, first and foremost, that Jesus tells us that he will never leave us or forsake us (Dueteronomy 31:6). Moreover, the church was created so that a body of people could "Do life together."

So try this. The next time you begin to feel hopelessness and begin slipping into despair, speak. Verbalize your emotions. Make them be known and someone will hear. You never know; the story of the person standing beside you might bring you peace to replace you despair.