In the last 12 months, I have experienced:

Skepticism

     Frustration

        Anger

           Cynicism

              Loneliness

                 Temptation

                     Fear

                        Exhaustion

                           Anxiety

                               Insecurity

                                  Rejection

                                     Abandonment

                                        Hope

Yes, hope.

This year, I am asking God to "restore me to health and make me live!" (Isaiah 38:16).

I don't want to survive. I want to live!

My hope is in God, who resurrected his Son, Jesus, from the dead. This is the ultimate hope for us. Isaiah reminds us of this hope we have in Jesus (Isaiah 53:5):

      He was pierced for our transgressions.

         He was crushed for our iniquities.

            Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.

               And with his wounds, we are healed.

In 2021, we don't have to wallow like a pig in our misery when Someone already took our suffering for us.

In exchange for his chastisement and wounds, we can receive peace and healing.

We have hope. Heal us, Lord!