For many, Christmas is a time of hope. The trees, ornaments, stars, and lights are all reminders of the hope we have in Jesus. History tells us that God stepped into our dark world as a helpless child, grew into a humble carpenter, and freely gave up his life so that we may have abundant life in Him. We still struggle with sin, and we still live in a fallen world. However, our hope is in Jesus. Jesus is alive and is working to make all things right. However, many of our family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors do not have hope this Christmas. Many are struggling. Some are struggling with sexual addiction, loneliness, or broken relationships. Others are grappling with their identity, physical or mental health, or their self-worth. Sadly, our culture has told these individuals that there is no real hope. They were born that way. They cannot change. For those struggling with transgenderism, the only hope the world offers is to become a life-long medical patient by taking cross-sex hormones or getting a sex-reassignment surgery. One young man, who struggled with his gender, was so excited to transition to a woman. He began taking cross-sex hormones and then had sex-reassignment surgery. Shortly after the excitement had worn off, he realized that he still did not feel right in his own body. And now, there was nothing left for him to do. He had bought into everything the world had to offer, and he discovered it wasn't enough. Jesus is enough. The apostle Paul recounted what Jesus had said to him when Paul was struggling with a "thorn in his side." Jesus had said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness," (2 Corinthians 12:9). On another occasion, Jesus had said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners,” (Mark 2:17). Jesus is calling all of us this Christmas to draw near to him and to lay our burdens down at His feet. Here at FMS Foundation, we encourage you to use this season as a time to bring hope to those around you who are struggling.
There is hope. We can change. We can break free from the chains that bind us.
We would like to share these "Stories of Hope" with you. Merry Christmas!
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