“’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord,
‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’”
Jeremiah 29:11 NASB

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NASB

“Struck down, but not destroyed”in the Phillips translation reads, “We may be knocked down but we are never knocked out.” Through all the stuff that you go through, God always, through Christ, gives you the hope and strength to get up and get back in the race. Whatever you’re going through today, I want you to know there is hope. God wants to work in and through you in the midst of your pain, your sufferings, your losses. And no matter what’s going around you, with all the hate and anger and darkness, Romans 8:28 NASB says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”Notice it doesn’t say ALL things are good. There are some very tragic and devastating things that happen to many folks but instead, it says all things work to the good. God is at work in your situation to give you peace and hope in the midst of your pain. He is your refuge and strength, your very present help in trouble. The whole message of Christmas is about Christ in us, our HOPE.  Merry Christmas to you and yours.