When Hope Appears Gone

March is my birthday month, so I’m fully aware that its celebration could either be enjoyed during snowfall or in 80-degree sun drenched warmth. Much like my persona, the month is unpredictable in preparation for a new season, but those close to me offer their unconditional love enabling me the transparency I crave to thrive from past brokenness. And I believe we all share that same need at our most basic fundamental level.

As I recently attended the annual National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention in Dallas, I was awakened to the magnificence of HOPE in a broken world with a myriad of broadcasters, podcasters, authors and evangelist organizations devoted to relentless messages of inspiration to every corner of the earth. While as an entrepreneur and author, I was inspired by the abundance of resources, but was most moved by the personal testimonies that have dedicated their lives to helping others less fortunate through their stories such as…

• the youth pastor who is returning bible study to public school youth programs nationwide. (During School Hours)

• the former death row convict who is expanding shelters in Oklahoma City for homeless women and children. (Death Was My Next Step)

• the debt-ridden entrepreneur dedicated to growing small business wealth and legacies through financial and real estate education. (Lifesurge.com)

• the accomplished entrepreneur, author, speaker, and family man unhindered since birth despite no arms and legs. (Life Without Limits)

  
  

However, the testimony that inspired me the most was that of a New Zealand missionary. As we met and I introduced him to my story, tears began to fill his eyes, and he reached for a bar stool and placed it beside him for me to sit.

“Do you have a minute?” he said inviting me to stay awhile and hear his related message of hope.

For years, I have mentored women suffering from the abuses of a partner’s sexual addiction. While couple recovery statistics are slim, this man’s story reminded me that all things are possible with God. He openly shared his testimony of defeated sobriety from the strongholds of sexual addiction. He was forced to return to the U.S., and ultimately lost his career as a missionary, his marriage, and family. But this man never relinquished his trust and relationship with a God capable of all miracles, and a miracle he received through devoted work on his addiction and character following his divorce.

Through devotion to prayer and addiction treatment, he and his former wife entered couples’ recovery, and through the power of forgiveness, they were remarried four years later. Their devastation was redeemed through HOPE, and their marriage now brings new purpose to their relationship and a testimony to others hopeless and trapped by the shame and chains of addiction.

At that moment, I walked away blessed with a new reality that it’s a true act of faith to hope for all things impossible. While free will surrounding self-motivation often shatters those dreams, there’s always ONE testimony where HOPE conquers all. And if we remain transparent through the admission of our strongholds and seek help, God will unconditionally accept us as we are and redeem us to a new season of purpose in reward for our trust.

Are you willing to invite a new season filled with HOPE and set a pathway to healing that will spread hope to others?

Verse of Reflection

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,

the conviction of things not seen.

― Hebrews 11:1 --