Hope--guaranteed

You have given me hope (Psalm 119:49).

Do you ever feel as if things are hopeless? Are there times when it seems as if your life is nothing but pain, and there will never be an end to it? Are you reluctant to think about the past, because happy memories are overshadowed by regret and guilt? Do you feel trapped by your circumstances, with no apparent way out?

What has brought you to this point of emotional crisis? Have you been diagnosed with a terminal health condition? Have you treated a loved one so badly that they have left your life, wanting nothing more to do with you? Are you stuck in a dead-end job with bills piling up and no prospects for a better standard of living?

If you are like many others, you might imagine that you only have two alternatives—keep on dragging yourself through one endless day after another, or end the pain by suicide. But there is a third alternative—seek outside help. By outside help, I don’t necessarily mean your relatives or a government agency. While family can often be very helpful and supportive, you might not have that option—maybe you have no family, or the family you have either cannot or will not help you. And while there are many excellent government programs that offer a wide variety of assistance, you might have discovered that you don’t meet eligibility requirements for some reason. No, the outside help I am speaking of is the one place you can go and always be welcomed, loved, and cared for. I suggest seeking help from Jesus.

How can Jesus help? Since He is the Son of God, He has the power to change your life. He has quieted storms with a word, even commanded the dead back to life. Further, He has the wisdom to know the best way to help you and the best time to act. But your biggest need isn’t better health, improved relationships, or more money. Your most significant need is hope. When Jesus gives you hope, any other problem can be managed. What hope can Jesus give you? He can assure you that He loves you. He can assure you that He is willing to forgive and forget all the darkness of your past. He can assure you that when death arrives, it is not the end, only a transition to a life free of every pain that has made you miserable. God says, those who hope in me will not be disappointed (Isaiah 49:23). Jesus only asks that you trust Him; in return, He will replace the chill of your despair with the warmth of His hope.