When I was a young girl, I read a familiar Bible verse:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”
(John 3:16).

I told God that I believed his Word was true—that Jesus really did die to pay the penalty for my sins and make me his child. I trusted in Jesus for salvation.

But I had no idea how much he would change my life.

Over the last twenty years, God has been at work to change everything about me.

He’s changing my habits: giving me a desire to do things I never thought I would find delightful and the self-control to say no to things that would otherwise destroy both my body and soul.

He’s changing my relationships: helping me to forgive hurts, love those who don’t love me in return, and pursue relationships with people who are unlike me.

He’s changing my emotions. There is no other way to explain the peace and grace he’s given during exceptionally trying times of my life.

There are so many areas he has changed (and so many that still need to be changed) but today I want to go into more detail about one specific aspect in which Jesus has changed my life.

Jesus Gave Me Hope

I am not by nature a hopeful, optimistic person. Ask me if the glass is half full or half empty and I’ll try to convince you that it’s completely dry.

But Jesus is working to change this part of me by reminding me that when my hope is in him it can never be disappointed.

I so quickly put my hope in things that won’t even outlive this week, much less my lifetime. Jesus calls me to put my hope in His eternal, unchanging Word.

I easily place my hope in a person, wanting them to find value in me, love me, and always act with my best interest in mind. Jesus reminds me that his love is forever—from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 103), that he values me enough to adopt me and make me his beloved daughter (1 John 3:1), and he works every tiny detail of my life together for my good and his glory (Romans 8).

I don’t have hope that I and my loved ones will be kept safe from sickness and tragedy.
But my hope is in something greater, more secure, and longer lasting.

My hope is in Jesus, who promises never to leave or forsake me, no matter what form of sickness or tragedy comes (Hebrews13:5). My hope is in Jesus, who tells me that he will hold my hand and give me strength, even during my weakest moments (Isaiah 41:13). My hope is in Jesus who never fails, never gives up, never quits. He stayed faithful through death, and is so powerful that he rose from the grave, defeated my sin of hopelessness and proved himself as the perfect Savior who is the only one worthy of my hope. 

Jesus gave me a hope that can never be disappointed.
Jesus changed my life.

“Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ…
having no hope and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have been brought near by the blood of Christ”
(Ephesians 2:12-13).