But we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever…. Hebrews 6:19-20a

The most comforting thought I can conjure, is that God’s plan for my life is to give me hope and a future. Lots of people quote Jeremiah 29:11 because of it’s promise of prosperity or protection. I must say that as a mom whose baby’s future is so uncertain, hope is that one thing I can’t do without. there are days of setbacks and challenges when I can’t imagine one good reason to get out of bed! Hebrew 6:19-20 says “But We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.” I emphasize the word “but” there because it is actually one of my favorite words in the Bible. (super weird, let me explain)
I love how the authors of the Bible used that little conjunction over and over again: they spell out a dire situation, a negative prognosis, a disaster waiting to happen, and then they write my favorite three letters “but”. Everyone from David, to Queen Esther, to the new testament apostles had their “but” moments. I like to think of having Hope as always having a “but”! Praise the Lord, I can recite for you endless stories of how things looked bad, but God. Let me make clear that this applies to every area of our life. Having a special baby impacts everything. The ripple effect of a diagnosis rocks it all. Some of my “buts” include: 

• My marriage was almost over, but God redeemed it. 
• Our financial crisis was about to drown us, but God made a way for us to overcome. 
• My child was given a life sentence of despair, but God substituted it for a life filled with joy.

Because all things work together for the good of those who love God, our marriage crisis actually made us so much stronger. The financial crisis pushed us to Biblical financial wisdom that changed our future. The genetic disorder that should have stolen my child actually gave me one that was more than wonderful. 
There is always hope in Jesus, because we are guaranteed that every situation has a “but”! There is an anchor for my soul, which makes it firm and secure. Jesus is my high priest forever, which means He is my perpetual “way where there is no way”, He is always the answer to every unknown. He covers me, provides for me, intercedes for me in advance, before I am ever even aware of a need. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Lean In: Whatever you are facing today, try writing it down or saying it outloud not with a period at the end of the sentence, rather conclude with these three letters and a few leading, promising, hopeful dots: but…..