THIS HOPE IS A STRONG AND TRUSTWORTHY ANCHOR FOR OUR SOULS.
IT LEADS US THROUGH THE CURTAIN INTO GOD’S INNER SANTUARY.
HEBREWS 6:19 NLT (Verse on BIble Hub)

FINDING HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS

One of my favorite movies at Christmas time is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” We all know the story. After his absent minded Uncle misplaces $8000.00, George is convinced everyone would be better off if he had never been born.

Clarence, a sweet Angel trying to earn his wings, takes George on a little supernatural journey. George gets the opportunity to see how life would have turned out without him in it. He learns just how much his life does matter to everyone around him.

Clarence tells George: “You’ve been given a great gift, George. A chance to see what the world would be like without you.”

Unlike George, we are not able to wander into an altered universe to learn a lesson about life and then come back. Unless we’re dreaming or smoking something.

But when we become born again Believers, our world does start to shift. It begins to flip from being upside down to being right side up.

George was offered a second chance at life in the movie. And we are given a second chance at life, too. But in a much greater way when we receive Jesus into our hearts.

In addition to the promise of eternal life in Christ, we have our hope renewed and our surrendered brokenness made whole again in this life. We learn we are extremely loved by God and have a purpose in this life.

Our Lives Matter – Finding Hope this Christmas

We begin to treasure life as the gift it really is and realize how close we may have come to destroying it many times if not for God. At least, that was my experience.

As someone who seriously thought of taking my own life several times when I was younger, I can honestly say the two most devastating lies I believed were that I was all alone and that I had no hope.

Christmas is a time of joy to many. But to some, the season can be painful.

We all experience grief in a personal way and there is no time limit to how long we need to heal. But without the Lord to walk us through the valley, it can be excruciating.

The enemy will step in and whisper to us that we are all alone and try to pull us deeper into the darkness where he reigns. Add to that how lonely it can feel to be surrounded by people who are celebrating when our own world has crashed to a dead stop. I pray if this is you right now, that you can hear the sweet voice of the Lord calling your name. He has not left you. And He never will.

I would also like to ask you to please reach out to a trusted Christian friend. Being able to talk and pray together is important.

Do NOT let the enemy attach any shame, blame or guilt onto you.

He tries to layer on the condemnation to paralyze us. If you need to, please contact a Christian Counselor who is trained to walk you through this season of life.

If you woke up this morning with breath in your lungs, your life matters! You have a purpose to fulfill on this earth even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.

Jesus promises us in John 14:3 that He is preparing a place for us and will come to get us when the time comes. 

Until then, take one moment at a time and seek His heart. Ask Him to show you what He wants you to do. It may be at this moment, He just wants you to let Him love and minister to you. We need to let Him fill our cups before we can pour anything out for others.

Hope is incredibly powerful.

Where we place this hope has a great impact on our lives.

If we place our hope in something in this world, sooner or later we will find ourselves disappointed. We think our ‘normal’ has been disrupted. But it’s actually God’s mercy that we aren’t completely satisfied and consumed by temporary pleasures in this world. Our destination is Heaven, and everyday Jesus is leading us one step closer to home.

And if we completely ‘lean’ our hope and confidence in other people, we need to be real and expect that at one point they will let us down also. Not because they always mean to, but because they are human. No one is meant to be our Savior except Jesus. 

But when we place all our hope in Jesus Himself, we can be assured this hope can never be dashed or crushed.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain …
Hebrews 6:19 NIV (Verse on BIble Hub)

When I mentioned altered universes earlier, there is a reality more real than what we see around us. An unseen veil separates us from the spirit world, which is more real and lasting than anything we can see right now on this earth. There have been stories of people who have gone across and returned.

An anchor keeps a boat from being tossed about and lost at sea in the crashing waves. Incredibly, our hope in Jesus is like a rope securely wrapped around our waists that tethers us to Jesus on the other side of the veil.

This hope is firm and secure.

The NLT version says this hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

The KJV uses the words sure and steadfast.

Even as Christians, we can feel deep sadness at times by things that are out of our control. Jesus understands and feels our sadness. We may feel lost at times, but Jesus has never lost us. And He never will.

“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none
of all those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.”
John 6:39 NIV (Verse on BIble Hub)

Even if everything in our lives is not as we would want them to be this Christmas, we are safe in Jesus. He is our refuge and we can be assured that we won’t lose or misplace Him. In addition, we will never lose His love, His hope, His joy and His peace. He has deposited them deep down inside us even if our feelings don’t line up on the outside at the moment. The Holy Spirit Himself is burning strong within us like a candle flame that can never be blown out.

Jesus’ love for us is steadfast and enduring.

Our hope in Him is firm and secure. His joy within us gives us strength. And His peace is beyond any understanding.

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But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:26-27 NIV (Passage on BIble Gateway)

We are all given a great gift. An opportunity to receive eternal life. I pray no matter what is happening in your life right now, you will make the decision to abide with Jesus. He is your hope and the anchor of your soul. The Hope that was born on Christmas Day. 

Much love to you,

“Glory to God in the highest Heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”
Luke 2:14 NIV (Verse on Bible Hub)

❤

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