Happy Valentine’s Day a day late. Have you ever had something totally new come into your life unexpectedly? I have. Did you have hope because of it? When I asked about something new did your mind go immediately to something good? What happens if that something new is a trial? What happens if it is pain? Let me share with you what I learned about how new things can bring hope.
I had a new thing happen to me several years ago when my wife was diagnosed with Major Clinical Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder. What a surprise that was to me. Initially it was not a good surprise, but since that time God has used that trial to work out for my good. Paul tells us to take the long view of suffering in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (ESV) This was most helpful to me because when I look to my future there is hope. I know I will see Laura in heaven.
Recently I had a good surprise. I met a beautiful woman and I believe there is a future with her. She has truly been a gift from God. James 1:17 tells me, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (ESV) After being alone for over 12 years I have hope for a future of closeness and love.
I pray you understand every perfect gift is from God, but God also allows trials. Both are sent to sanctify us. The perfect gifts need no explanation the trials do unless you understand that God allows them to make us perfect, complete, and lacking in nothing. So, whenever God is involved in your life new things always bring hope. I pray if you have not already repented of your sin that you will now. It is through a relationship with God through Jesus that solves the problem of sin and brings us hope in the present and the future. I would also encourage you to seek Jesus for He is the only opportunity there is to have eternal life. This is to me the greatest source of hope. In doing so, I believe we will have hope and joy during our everyday lives. Understanding that Jesus Christ allows us to access eternal life, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 (ESV) This will allow us to have hope. At the same time understanding you will live eternally knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ and this will bring you the greatest hope. Because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross satisfied the penalty for sins. His payment satisfies all my sins from the past, the present and in the future. My penalty and yours was satisfied on the cross by the death of Jesus, God’s greatest act of love and wrath, who became sin for me and you. It was also God’s greatest act of faithfulness because “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV) Because holiness shows us, we need to believe in Jesus. I hope that you join me in helping others to choose Jesus.
If you have not read my previous blogs, you can find them here.
You can watch book trailer about my book.
You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google.
