Hope.

Hopeless: providing no hope; beyond optimism or hope; without hope; despairing; impossible to accomplish, solve or resolve; not able to act, perform or work as desired. 

Hopelessness.  It's a terrible feeling. 

Feeling like there is no reason to hope.  That there's nothing you can do.  
This makes us shrivel up and fold our arms over.  Paralyzes us. Prevents us from reaching out. From showing the world the love that we have been given.  

And here's the thing... it's not true.  

No matter the circumstances. No matter what it looks like physically.  You can always choose to do SOMETHING.  You can always look up.  

There is always hope because of Jesus. Because you are loved. 

Even when your heart is heavy.  When your shoulders feel like they are carrying the weight of the world on them.  When the news is bad and then gets worse. 
Even if you've turned away from God. Rejected Him. Cursed His name. The enemy's tactic is to keep you seperated from Him. 

What can you do?  Look up.  Look to Jesus.  

Oh, I know it's hard.  
I've heard a cancer diagnosis, bad news, and worse news.  I've been unappreciated, left out, and overlooked. I know what's its like to be lonely, gossipped about, and misunderstood.  To lose someone dear to me. 

The common misconception is that we are the "only one". We aren't. We all have our load to carry. It's tough, yes.  But you are tougher. 

When it seems you can't do anything, can't help yourself, let alone anyone else. Look  up. 
Open His word.  Read what it says about you. 

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know he hears us in whatever we ask, we  know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15

"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." John 14:18

"For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." Psalm 107:9

And I promise you this:  He will come and He will refresh your heart...if you ask Him to.  If you believe. He will remind you that you are brave, and strong, and just plain awesome.  
He will remind you that you are His.  

What CAN you do?  You can look to Jesus, and you can love others. Tighten up your bootstraps and get back in the game. People need the light that you carry.  

On our own, we cannot do a thing. We will tire out and wear down.  People are people, and sometimes (we) they are hard to love.  But they are beautiful too....because he made them.  Let him connect you with his heart, and loving people won't be so tough. And loving yourself becomes easier too.  

I pray that your hope is refreshed today, and that you remember just how loved you are.


Love,
Christa