No Matter What.

Dear fighter,

There is hope.

When you feel broken, helpless, defeated, trapped, unsure, anxious, or depressed. When you feel too overtaken to move forward. When you are worn. When you feel as if you are falling, and you are afraid of the impact below. When you cry and you grasp to put a stop to it all but cannot save yourself from the confusion, the heartache.

There is hope.

When fear grips on with an intimidating hold and detestable doubts knock incessantly on your heart’s door. When the anxiety and depression come in blinding torrents, drenching your soul and threatening to soak the flame of your courage…

REMEMBER you are not alone. God uses brokenness as a ministry of its own. Jesus sees you. He hears you. And enduring hope is possible through it all. No matter what.

Your strength is not dependent upon whether or not you are capable. The kind of strength true hardship demands can only come from the power of Jesus Christ.

Though tears are many, you still have access to the most amazing joy. Though anxiety is leaking into your fighter-heart, the peace of God can be made your solid foundation, and you can overcome.

You have been given the opportunity to live a life defined by hope, and there is immense worth in pursuing it.

Your pain and suffering is not belittled. It’s real. But so is God. He is bigger than any and every giant you are facing. Oh, dear fighter, look up. Run to Jesus, and allow Him to carry your burdens and fill you with His hope. You are not alone, and you are loved.

So when the storms roll over your soul. When pain strikes, and echoing doubts thunder. Remind yourself that you are a fighter. There is no room for hell’s words in the mind of a believer. Throw out the lies and sink your thoughts into powerful Truth.

Because of Christ, you are more than a conqueror armed with overwhelming peace, overflowing joy, and a forever hope.

I am learning...

I sit here, humbly and comfortably in the welcoming, now well-known presence of my Jesus, and I know, in times of silence, I am protected. In seasons of waiting, I am held. His eyes are on me always, and I am claimed, redeemed, and created for pursuing hope no matter what.

The peace of my Jesus is desperately needed in this season of my life, and His joy is my treasure. He leads me forward as I wake every morning to a Hope-defined life.

I want to live and breathe a faith relying so intently upon the peace my Savior freely gives. I must cut off my worried fixation on current struggles and look up to the Throne of Grace, where Hope reigns.

No matter what, there is hope. Living Hope. And His Name is Jesus.

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul, in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 25:1-5

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Side note to all my chronic illness fighters out there:

I see you, and I’m with you, cheering you on. There is hope, no matter the challenge, the list of side effects, the symptoms, the doctor appointments, the invisible battles, the long nights, the painful memories, and the setbacks.

This post was written openly and honestly with you specifically in mind. Wherever you are in your health journey, know you are not excluded, you are invited. Pursuing hope through the unknowns, the loss, and the hurting is such a meaningful and empowering adventure. No, it’s not always easy, but, because of Jesus, you have hope. No matter what.

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Today’s Challenge:

• Look inside. What is one area of your life where hope is lacking? Intentionally cultivate this weak point throughout this week, choosing hope no matter what.

• Listen to “Living Hope” by Phil Wickham. (video below)