What a couple years we have been through! A global pandemic, social and political unrest; economic as well as personal crises are enough to cause a world wide state of weariness. 

We get that sinking feeling.

You know, the sensation of launching down a steep drop on a roller coaster. When will it end? What is next? When will things be normal again? 

Weariness can set in motion a myriad of emotions that swirl in our heads like a whirlwind. Sadness, confusion, compassion, outrage, and anger each competing for our full attention.

Which emotion do we entertain? 

If we choose to linger on one of these emotions, we can get stuck and begin to see everything through the lens of that emotion. It can be tempting to consistently view the world through a lens of negativity, waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Or, it may be easier to lean into our anger and begin to assign blame.

But there is a hope that can cause even a weary world to rejoice: JESUS. Hope has come and hope is here to stay. This is such good news! In fact it is the greatest news ever.  And it is news you can trust!

The truth that Jesus is our Living Hope is our reason to rejoice.

• Jesus is our hope, even when things feel hopeless.
• Jesus is our hope, even when we are discouraged and down.
• Jesus is our hope, even when circumstances are hard and we feel helpless. 
• Jesus is our hope, even when life feels overwhelming, uncertain, and fragile.

Although it may sound like a simple answer to a very complicated situation, I believe it is very profound. From the Old to the New Testament, this good news has been foretold and was finally fulfilled on that first Christmas Day when the first cries of Emmanuel – God with us – gloriously rang out from the manger. 

Hold on to hope.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds… Hebrews 10:23-24

How do we apply this verse in the circumstances we face? Let’s take a look at this verse with an expanded definition from the Greek lexicon.

Let us hold fast (keep secure, keep firm possession of) our hope without wavering (with a firm expectation and confidence, we remain unmoved). Let us consider (observe fully, behold, discover) how to stimulate (provoke unto love) good deeds (work, toil).

One way that we can hold on to Jesus as our living hope is to focus on the fact that God is faithful. God always delivers on His promises.  

• Long ago He promised He would send a Messiah to save the world, and He did. 
• He provides help and healing. 
• He inspires generosity from strangers. 
• He comforts those who mourn.
• He uses people to encourage and come alongside others. 
• He brings families and communities together.
• He uses the church to be a light in the midst of darkness and to introduce people to the hope of Christ.

Those are just a few examples of how God is faithful to give us hope. I do not believe that God causes bad things to happen. Rather, I believe that He is present and wants to bring healing in the midst of those circumstances. 

When you hold on to hope, the hope that you believe in begins to live in you. 

What you focus on, you empower. Let’s choose to focus on Jesus, our living hope! Together we can be a weary world that can turn our mourning into gladness.  

Reclaiming Hope Together, 

Hope is Here! We don’t have to wait for Christmas day, Jesus is our hope everyday. Sometimes we need that reminder. Each time you or someone you love puts the “hope” necklace on, may you remember that Jesus is your hope. Who in your life needs hope this Christmas? Let us send this necklace to someone you love! We offer free shipping in the U.S. and include a handwritten note of encouragement. You can order the “hope” necklace and check out all of the jewelry options in the Reclaimed Story shop: https://reclaimedstory.com/shop/