This month, I’m pleased to welcome my friend and guest writer, J.D. Wininger. He writes wonderful articles about the Christian faith as learned and experienced in the life of a Texas rancher. Yes, J.D. is that rancher and I enjoy reading his work. J.D.’s nature-filled compositions are insightful and packed full of down-home, godly wisdom and practical application. Please welcome J.D. today and consider leaving a comment to let him know how much you’ve enjoyed his take on where we find hope. Here is J.D.’s article:
If you look around today, our world has become one of polar opposites. In everything we do, we must choose a side. Is it a result of the digital age we live in, where there can be only two states, on or off? Or is it because we’re living at the end of the age where the world as we know it is ending? Whatever term you might use to describe the times we are living in, we can all agree our world is divided more than ever before. In fact, most can’t even agree to disagree with one another.
The glass of cool water on my desk reminds me of a lesson learned long ago. It is foundational in the way I choose to live my Christian life. Looking at that glass, I recognize that some see it as half-full (optimism). Others see my glass and view it as half-empty (pessimism). We forget that when you can’t see something, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. I’ve learned that whether my glass is filled with water which I can taste and see, or whether it is filled with air which I can’t, my glass is always full. Faith in Christ is like that, isn’t it? My faith and hope in Christ teaches me that my glass is always full.
Dr. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, shared a statement that summarizes well my belief.
“The Christian mode is not optimism or pessimism,
which can wax and wane with our mood. It is hope—
and it is hope in Christ. Hope has a name!”
This important mindset reminds me that as a Christian, I am in this world, but I am no longer of this world. As such, I must not accept the divisive and false truths of this world but seek always the one true source of truth in my life, God’s word (John 1:1-4).
When I choose sides and live in the world, I allow this world to take root in my heart. I think in worldly ways. Soon, I look and act like everyone else in the world. When this happens, my hope wanes. I seek my selfish desires and satisfaction rather than seeking to be salt and light in this world (Matthew 5:13-16). The result: my testimony becomes ineffective because who would want what they already have.
When this happens, the Holy Spirit nudges me and His word comes to the forefront of my mind from the wellspring of my heart. Having hidden God’s word in my heart, I am reminded of the source of my hope. I hope in His word. Among my favorite verses is Psalm 119:81, which reads:
“My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.” (New King James Version).
When David wrote this psalm, he was at one of the lowest points in his life. It seemed his enemies defeated him at every turn, and this filled him with anguish and depression. Yet, David’s words clarify that while all around him seemed lost, his faith in God remained steadfast. His depressed mood and his bleak outlook could not shake David’s faith that his God would deliver him from these conditions. His faith never wavered.
Hope is Where Our Heart Is by JD Wininger Who or what is your source of hope? Does it change with times or circumstances? #DiscoverHope #HopeInHisWord Click To TweetSometimes in my Christian walk I too have become overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty, and doubt. When I suffer a loss that seems too great to bear, or I feel abandoned and alone, or when depression gets the best of me leaving me emotionally tired, alone, and afraid, I seek God. Like David, I beg God to come near and deliver me. God promises to never leave or forsake His children, and I’m grateful when I can hold on to that promise. Because I have hidden His word in my heart, I can grab onto God’s sacred word and find His grace, peace, and reassurance. My hope is restored.
In the 5th century Saint Augustine of Hippo (what is now Algeria) wrote, “God’s word is the promise and hope that enables us to wait with patience for that which is not seen by those who believe.” To paraphrase, God’s immutable word is the source of our Christian hope.
Hope is Where Our Heart Is by JD Wininger You find hope in the deep recesses of your heart. What have you stored there? #DiscoverHope Click To TweetLooking more deeply at two distinct phrases in this verse, I form word-pictures that show me what David must have looked like when these words entered his mind. Through “My soul faints for Your salvation” (81a), I see a prostrate David, laying exhausted in prayer, giving his last ounce of physical strength in begging God to deliver him. Through “But I hope in Your word” (81b), I see his tear-stained face looking upwards towards Heaven. I also hear David stating with a clear voice his confidence that God will keep His promises.
There have been many times when I have laid in bed or sat in my chair with tears running down my face. In those times, I talk with my Savior, beg His forgiveness, and ask Him to guide, teach, and comfort me as only He can.
How often do I ask Him to take away a worry from this world that I cannot shake, or the pain I’m feeling from a recent loss?
My hope in God’s word does not guarantee His immediate action; it does not always imply I will gain instant relief. It reminds me of God’s assurance that although I may go through some trial, He will be there with me amid that trial. His word reminds me He will see me through to the end if I will keep placing my trust in Him. This is the hope we have in Christ.
I pray you too find comfort in knowing that our steadfast faith in God’s word brings true hope. In that hope, we have the promise that God gives us everything we need to overcome this world and live our best life.
God’s blessings,
J.D. Wininger is an award-winning writer and speaker who teaches compelling lessons in faith and writes heartfelt devotionals and books to glorify God. He has written for national magazines, CBN.com, Lighthouse Bible Studies, and contributed to several books. When not working his Texas ranch, He and his wife, Diane, share God’s love in surrounding communities. J.D. invites you to follow him on his Website: https://jdwininger.com/, Facebook: J.D. Wininger, Christian Author | Facebook, and Twitter: J.D. Wininger (@JD_Wininger) / Twitter
J. D., you penned powerful examples to demonstrate the state of our world today, as well as our hearts. Thank you for the hope we have in Christ. Your words encourage us to turn to Him first in every situation or disappointment.
J.D., you speak from the heart…of Jesus. Challenging words spoken with love and kindness. I will remember the picture that, as Christians, our glass is always full even though sometimes it feels empty. Many things in life disappoint and discourage us…but we can always confidently put our hope in God.
How very kind Ms. Barb. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post ma’am, and I pray it blesses you as much as your encouraging words bless me.
Thanks for sharing more of JD’s wisdom. My heart is anchored in the hope of Christ and so far, He has never failed me.
Thank you so much Ms. Yvonne. He never will fail us my friend. Let’s anchor ourselves firmly in His word! Amen!
Thank you J.D. for the hope you communicate in this post. It takes us to the fount of true hope that is ours in Christ. I especially appreciate the picture you painted of the Psalmist at a point in his life many of us can relate to. Great guest post, Carla.
Amen Ms. Sylvia. I think we have all been, or will be, there at some point in our lives. Some of us more times than we perhaps care to remember. What does matter is that we do remember His faithfulness to always see us through. Hope begets hope my friend. God’s blessings ma’am.
J.D. and Carla, I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Hope is powerful! It is what drew me to Christ as a teenager. I especially like the quote from Mohler. Thanks!
Thank you Ms. Annie. Always a blessing ma’am. Yes, hope indeed has a name my friend.
JD thank you for reminding us that we dont have to pick sides. I love this. I want to be salt and light, not on this side or that.
Amen Ms. Karen. As Christians, we don’t have to pick a side, we made the choice when we said “Yes, Lord!” As Ambassadors for Christ, our job is to show Him to the world through our lives to everyone, not to only those who think and act like us. Great point ma’am.
Thank you, Carla, for sharing this post. JD’s post was a blessing and a reminder of God’s faithfulness.
So very kind. Thank you Ms. Helen.
We do need to continue to drink the fresh water from the spirit instead of the pollution of the world. It’s a joy to see another post from J.D. Thanks Carla for hosting him and thanks J.D. for sharing.
Always a blessing Ms. Barbara. Thank you ma’am; am so glad you enjoyed my friend.
Thank you so much JD & Carla. As we cry out to our Lord and Savior in our brokenness…He reminds us that He is our blessed assured hope. Praise God!
Absolutely Ms. Cindy. As Christians, we come to realize that “Hope is not a strategy”, it is a “way of life” for us. Our hope has a name. It is Jesus Christ. 🙂 Thank you for commenting and please have a blessed week ma’am.
What a blessing to have J.D. on your blog, Carla. As always, his message goes straight to the heart. Loved your assurance that even if the glass is empty (of water) it is still full of air. I had never heard that before and when you take it further and remind us that we are never empty when we have Jesus, I smiled with joy. Reading of David’s sorrow and grief, I was reminded that sometimes during the hardest times, the only thing we have is Jesus. Thank you for this inspiring and hopeful message.
I can’t help but think of the old hymn “Blessed Assurance” when I think of how many times I realized there was nothing left but Jesus to cling to in my life Ms. Katherine. So very pleased to read your comments here on Ms. Carla’s blog. Like you, she’s a real gem of inspiration to me.
It is a joy to have you share on my website. Blessings to you and yours always.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share with your friends and followers. I pray this guest post blesses them as much as your kindness has blessed me Ms. Carla.