Viktor Frankl was a Jew living in Nazi Germany. He was arrested and sent to a Nazi death camp. There he watched men live in inhuman conditions, saw many stronger than he wither and die, and learned lessons about survival. One of the key things he observed was the power of hope. Those who had hope could survive almost anything; those who didn't, died. As Frankl put it, "The prisoner who had lost faith in the future - his future - was doomed. With his loss of belief in the future, he also lost his spiritual hold; he let himself decline and became subject to mental and physical decay."

At HopeforLife.com, we believe that there is hope. We believe that it not only exists, but that it can be found. We know because we've found it and know many others who have as well. The hope that we have found comes from God, the source of all true hope. Others fall short: dreams of power, wishes for pleasure, longings for riches. None of those can transcend this life and reach beyond the grave. Only God can give us a hope that will not fade, a hope that cannot be tarnished by death or disease.

Jesus Christ came to this world to bring that hope to mankind. It's not enough for hope to exist; it's only when we are able to find it that it does us any good. Jesus came not only to embody hope, but also to give us something to hope in. Through him, we can hope to live forever. That life of hope can be lived now; Jesus made it possible for us to find, live in and share with others the same hope.

As human beings, we desperately need hope. This world is a cold, empty place without it. With hope, we can face any circumstance. The apostle Paul wrote, "In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:12-13). Jesus Christ and the hope that he gives allow us to face every situation this life can offer.

If you are facing a hope crisis in your life, contact me and let's talk more about hope and the God who gives it. Just write me at tim@hopeforlife.org. Or visit our blog at www.hopeforlife.org/blog.

As human beings, we desperately need hope. This world is a cold, empty place without it.

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