EDITOR’S NOTE
Hope means hoping even when things seem hopeless ~ Richard Daly The sense of being helpless can be extremely debilitating. Hopelessness is frequently associated with feelings of helplessness and powerlessness, as well as with a desire to separate oneself from other people. It is possible to feel hopeless when faced with financial troubles, marital difficulties, health concerns, and other negative circumstances, all of which can be overwhelming. Most people experience feelings of hopelessness at some point in their lives. It is not restricted to a particular group of people. Even biblical heroes were afflicted by a sense of hopelessness from time to time. In Psalm 34:19, David expresses his belief that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of all of them. Daniela Beukman, a heroin addict who conquered her addiction, believes that hope has a name: Jesus! You may read Daniela’s story in this issue and be inspired by her determination to overcome a 15-year addiction and begin a new life. As international evangelist Andries Pelser and his wife Deborah Pelser relate their journey of unshakeable faith as they proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world, your hope will be rekindled and your faith will be strengthened. Paul writes in Romans 5:3-5 that we can rejoice in our afflictions because we are a hopeful people. “And not only
this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5 AMP). Many people have found 2021 to be a challenging year in a variety of ways due to the pressure, problems, and pain brought on by the pandemic. The prayer of my heart as you read through this issue is that your hope will be rekindled and your perspective will be shifted, and that you will discover how the pressures of life may help you rediscover hope rather than despair. As a result, our hope rests in God, who has the power to make all things new. Wishing you a prosperous and hopeful 2022! Claudene
THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE
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