How To Hold On To Hope

HOW TO HOLD ON TO HOPE
December 2019 did not end the way I had anticipated.

My heart was tremendously heavy for loved ones, neighbors and even people on social media that I have never met. People going through horrible heartache and trials. I couldn’t shake the sadness I felt for each of them. Prayers were spoken continually for what seemed like hopeless situations.

And with the sadness, I looked to a season for happiness instead of my Savior.
I wrapped presents.
I made cookies.
I went to parties.
I ate too much junk food.
I stayed up too late.
I struggled with perfectionism.
I watched too many Hallmark movies while I neglected much needed time with God.

And yet, at the stroke of midnight a new decade was ushered in, whether Charisse was ready for it or not.

In the quietness of my bedroom as these words pour out of me, God begins whispering His words into my heart.

New Years resolutions?
My flesh has already failed my resolve, but praise God He tells me that my flesh does not have to prevail~
as long as He is my hope. Psalm 73:26

He is telling me that I don’t have to be ready. I don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to have my life in order as I step into this new decade, because~

CHRIST IS MY PERFECTION.

And that’s what Holding Hope is all about.

No matter what you feel, no matter what you are going through at this very moment~
the very first week of this new decade~

You can hold onto hope.

If your heart is screaming right now~ “How?... How do I hold on to hope?”
The only answer I have for you is this~

Jesus

Call out to Him.
Read His words of hope, written just for you.
Ask others to go to Him on your behalf.
Seek Him.

Even if you mess up every single day or your future looks grim~ keep calling out to Him.
Even if your heart has been deeply wounded by others,
or maybe wounded over the heartache of others~
Keep calling out to Him.

He assures us that His mercies are new EVERY morning and so is His faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22&23

His faithfulness is not contingent on our faithfulness.
His comfort, peace and joy are not contingent on our worthiness.
His love is not contingent on our love and His forgiveness, grace and mercy are not contingent on our perfection.

Today I whisper His name.
Over and over and over I whisper it.
I whisper it for others.
I whisper it for myself.
I whisper it for you.

And my heart rests in knowing that 2020 will be perfect.
Not because of anything Charisse has done, but because of EVERYTHING Christ has done for me~
and for you.

There are no hopeless situations because He is my God of all Hope~
And I will forever hold on to that.




‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:18-19‬ ‭
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:9
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭