Finding Hope In Jesus In A Troubled World
In a world that often feels overwhelming, where bad news seems to lurk around every corner, finding hope in Jesus can give you peace. You can’t turn on the television, scroll through social media, or open a newspaper without being confronted by the harsh realities of the evil in our world. My husband often jokes that I’m like an Ostrich with my head in the sand, avoiding all the bad news. But it’s not avoidance; it’s a choice. I choose to focus on the one who holds the world in His hands—Jesus Christ.
My Journey of Faith and Overcoming Inadequacy
It’s always a humbling experience when someone tells me they appreciate my courage in sharing God’s word and being an encouragement to others. Living in the country’s Bible Belt, it doesn’t feel unusual to say that I’m a Christian. I grew up going to church multiple times a week and attending “meetings” every night they were held. However, I wasn’t always comfortable sharing my faith, especially in person. Why, you ask?
For a long time, I felt inadequate because I couldn’t quote Bible verses on command, and I often got confused about who said what. I worried that I might say something wrong and unintentionally drive someone away from the Lord. Some love my Sunday posts, and others, not so much. I wrote an article about that called I Am Not Ashamed if you want to check that out.
While many of my readers identify as Christians, I know there are others who may have never heard the Gospel shared with them.
Understanding the Good News vs. Fire and Brimstone
As a child, I often heard “Fire and Brimstone” sermons that left me feeling scared and uncertain about my salvation. The preacher or pastor made it sound like it was impossible for someone like me to ever enter the gates of Heaven.
24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Hearing that verse as a child made me almost cry. I didn’t hear the “who is rich” part because I was too focused on the camel trying to go through the eye of a needle. I remember thinking that it was impossible! Shoot, I can’t even put a slender piece of thread through the eye of a needle, so how would a camel ever be able to fit through it?
It wasn’t until I was an adult that I came to understand that passage, but it haunted me throughout my childhood. I never asked about the verse; it seemed cut and dry to me. I know that the Hell and Brimstone preachers meant well, but they focused so heavily on the damnation part that they forgot to share the GOOD news of the Gospel.
The Good News: Jesus Has Paid Our Debt
Yes, Hell is real, and there are consequences for not declaring that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. But there is good news, and we are not camels!
The Good News is that Jesus has come as God in the flesh. Through His death on the cross, He redeemed us and paid our debt. We are all sinners, and every person reading this has sinned and will continue to sin. The good news is that Jesus rose from the grave and interceded on our behalf, and we now have the assurance of salvation and the hope of eternal life.
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Accepting Jesus: The First Step on the Journey
I know some people are waiting to get themselves “right” or “together” before they ask Jesus into their hearts. That’s backward! The beauty of the Gospel is that it’s not about perfection; it’s about grace. He is the one who enables us through the Holy Spirit. Trust me, any good you see in me comes from the Lord.
As hard as I try, I will always fall short of the mark. My good works will never be enough, but I have an advocate who is interceding for me. Guess what? So do you. Jesus Christ is in Heaven right now, sitting at the right hand of God, and He is pleading our case. This is not a “get out of jail free” card. We still have to do our part, and accepting Jesus into our lives is the first step.
Take the First Step Towards Hope
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
If you’ve been waiting to get your life “together” before coming to Jesus, I encourage you to take that step today. He’s ready to meet you where you are, to walk with you, and to bring you the peace and purpose you’ve been searching for. The way may be hard, but the reward is GREAT.
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Let’s end with a prayer:
Lord, I pray for everyone reading this today. May they feel your love, grace, and presence in their lives. Give them the courage to invite you into their hearts and to walk with you daily. Amen.
Thank you for this!!! I am behind in my reading of your posts, but it came at the right time for me!! Please keep up Gods word!
I’m glad you liked the post and found it helpful!
Thank you for another blessed post. They are wonderful to read.
Just – thank you!
Thank you so much for this post. I was raised in church like you and heard the same “Hell and Brimstone” messages. As an adult, and through women’s Bible study groups, I began to understand the Bible much better. Your words explain perfectly what someone needs to do to become part of God’s family, a Christian.
I just cannot love this enough Tania. Thank you for being so real.
Thank you for this post and that each of your emails has a scripture…it’s hard to find that these days. It’s refreshing to follow someone who isn’t afraid to declare their faith!
Tania, thank you for your Sunday messages. I always find them uplifting and I think you’re amazing spreading the word of God through your blog. Thank you!
I always look forward to these posts of yours. You are blessed with the gift of sharing scripture while making it touch each of our lives. Thank you
Thank you for this beautiful message. I love your Sunday messages. I cannot tell you how much I pray for salvation for my loved ones. Family and friends who are non-believers. I’m not here to judge them. I just keep praying they will accept our lovingJesus as their savior. This includes my husband. 🙏
Tania,
One on the reasons I joined your email subscription was the fact you were a Christian. I love how encouraging you are. I was raised like you in Ms. Always in church when the doors were open. Saved as a teenager. Yes, face to face directly talking about Christ to a stranger is not my cup of tea but that is why I was placed on this earth. So I’m a working progress. I have learn with age to be still and listen to God when he is talking to me and when He speak Obey Him. Thank you for your courage and sharing your faith and fashion with me.
Love in Christ,
Debbie
Love these comforting words.
Thanks for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ! What a ministry that you have…sharing wonderful fashion trends and ideas for your audience, all while letting your light shine for God’s glory! Blessings on you, Tania. <3
Thank you for another lovely post, Tania. I relate to not being able to quote bible verses on command or not always able to remember “who said what”. I’m working on getting more comfortable sharing the Gospel and will read your article, “I Am Not Ashamed”.
I enjoy and appreciate your Sunday messages.
All Glory to God!
Tania. I love your Sunday’s posts. I can not begin to tell you how much it means to me when a person will leave me with have a “Blessed Day “. Sometimes that is all someone needs to get back on track.
I enjoy reading your posts. You are fun, entertaining, and helpful. But the single most important reason I follow you is that you share Jesus. He is part of your every day life and I love that. Thank you for sharing and being an example of abiding in Christ.
The message of grace and salvation is so much more powerful than the message of damnation. Especially now people need to hear how love has saved us and how grace sets us free. Thank you for never being ashamed!
Thank you for sharing the way to make the Lord your savior. I hope that many people receive Jesus, as a result of your devotional. God bless you all!
So glad you wrote this, yes, I felt the same way as a child about the story with the camel, and fire and brimstone ministers that scared me half to death. So thankful for our Jesus! Amen!
Thank you for sharing the Good News. I am thankful everyday for God’s grace and his mercy. I can confidently say that He loves me and will never leave me. And that we are saved by grace and not by works. I no longer live under condemnation but under “grace.” My abba father is a good God and a loving father. Have a blessed week and know that you are greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved.
Daryl Ann, I copied “you are greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved,” and I’m putting that where I can read it daily. Thanks so much for the reminder!
I loved reading this. I am a Christian and profess my faith openly. I at first would hesitate, and as you mentioned, I worried about messing up facts and felt inadequate in reciting Bible versus. I don’t exactly know why, but this evening I felt very irritable and reading your blog put everything in perspective. Thank you!
Beautifully written!! I love your Sunday messages!!
Beautifully written!! I love your Sunday devotions!!
I thank you for the Sunday messages. God has given you the gift of understanding His word and helping us to apply it to our everyday life. I read your email before we head to church and lot’s of times your “ service “ hits home better.
Thank you for sharing your faith! Your Sunday posts are so inspiring! I followed you on Pinterest trying to figure out how to dress age appropriate after 50. I never expected that your faith would be my reason for enjoying your posts most! I’ve had a difficult year with my own faith & leaving my church & you have helped me more than you know. You are a blessing to your readers! I love that you ended it this time with a prayer!
Tamatha, I am so happy to think I might have helped you in some way. I realize that it really wasn’t me, it was the Lord using me to reach you.
Thank you for this great message. Many think they need to be better to receive God’s gift. We don’t have to earn it. It’s a gift. Everyone reading this, please invite Him into your heart now. You will never regret it. He will make any changes needed. Bless you for sharing this great news!
I always look forward to your Sunday lesson. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your faith. As a Christian, my heart hurts to think about the troubles in this world. It affects all of us in some way. I believe our only hope is”the Good News” which you have shared here. Thanks for doing your part to share it.
Thank you Tania! You are an inspiration so don’t get discouraged! Keep on doing God’s work. Your message today was very good.
I look forward to your Sunday posts! They are easy to understand and make sense to me. I think you have a gift for it. Keep them coming, please!
Tania you are so right. God is in control. My pastor preached about that very subject a few weeks ago. We have to keep our eyes on Him.
God Bless.
Thank you for that wonderful message! Our pastor is starting a new series next week called “Rebranding Christianity”. He wants to be clear that he is not suggesting that we abandon the Bible and teachings of Jesus, but rather that we learn to be an example of God’s love in our daily lives. Unfortunately, many people today view Christians as hypocritical and judgmental. There is still consequence for sin, but with our diligence and God’s grace we can be forgiven and have eternal life with him.
None of us are perfect. I like to think that I am progressing, not perfect.
Thank you Tania! Especially for your closing prayer. Some of us are struggling with daily life and just needed your words today. Feels like you are my Angel today!
I too was a cradle Catholic and after over 59 years I was confirmed anew in the Epicopal church and am now a learning how to be a Protestant bible verse reader. After over 10 years I am getting really used to loving just “talking” with my Lord and Savior! It is truly great Christians like you who have shared and shown me the way. I so very much enjoy your Sunday posts. I love not living in fear of sharing the Christian faith with other believers. Please keep up your wonderful ministry.
That was just beautiful and so well written!
Good stuff!
Outstanding and Exceptionally said Tania!!! This world continues to need more positive and encouraging words. Thank you for sharing your Faith. I do not know where unbelievers get their strength from doing bad times. I am beyond grateful for my Salvation and God’s supernatural strength when I need it. Enjoy your SONday.
~Lisa~
I love that you share your faith like this as part of your fashion blog! We can only pray that these words and the scriptures you share will plant seeds in those who don’t know the Lord.
Galatians 6:8-9
That is my hope and prayer!
Thank you, Tania. This was just what I needed. I believed there was God my whole life, but just recently found my faith again. About the same time I found your site. it is wonderful to be able to read your posts . I feel like this one was just what I needed today.
Madonna, I love your name! I’m glad you found your faith again. Jesus will always welcome us back!!!
Hi Tania – I love your Sunday posts! I became saved in my 30’s and I’m so thankful to know I don’t have to be perfect to spend eternity with my Savior!
I appreciate your bold messages of faith. Blessings!
Thank you for this reminder. Love your Sunday posts
That was beautiful Tania. Being raised Catholic I too am afraid of the Bible verses I’m just learning now at 62 years old. I now praise and service God at a Methodist Church for the past five years. My faith has grown stronger than ever, I’m even a Sunday School teacher and tell my kiddos I’m learning along side them. As we learned last summer at VBS “our God is an awesome God “! It’s never too late to welcome Jesus into your heart.
I have to say those could have been my words too. Although I left the Catholic Church 20+ years ago now, we also attend a Methodist church. I attended Catholic school and priests were very much gloom and doom at that time. I know now the Bible and the wonderful old hymns. I’m thankful for what God has done and continues to do in my life.
Amen!!!
Beautiful post! God Bless you Tania.
I love that you are encouraging and you say it like it is! Please continue to be bold about your walk with Christ.
I so look forward to your Sunday post!
Loved your message today. Thank you for sharing your faith.
Amen, Sister! You speak inspirational truth to a fallen world!
Tania…I love your Sunday post. I have saved some to go back to read again! Thank you for always sharing your heart!
Thank you for sharing!
Well said. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
Thank you for your Sunday posts. You seem to know when I need the right verse for the day. Have a lovely week.
Thank you for writing about our Lord and faith. I encourage you to keep doing so. It is a blessing to me, every week!
I love your Sunday posts. This one was great! Thank you for sharing!💜
I think this is the best post you’ve ever written. I love all your fashion and style inspiration, but this post points to the One who is the most important decision a person can ever make – following Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Blessings to you as you boldly share your faith with those who have maybe never heard. ❤️
Thank you for your post today. I just got home from my church and honestly was confused by the sermon.
Your post was clear and truly comforting.
Amen….well said!
I love your Sunday posts…so refreshing in today’s troubled world. Thank you!
Thank you, Tania, I so needed to hear this work of God today! Enjoy your weekend and many blessings to you!!
I just got home from church & read this. Although I have never commented on your posts, I have to thank you for sharing this. I too grew up & still live in the Bible Belt. I know about the hell fire & brimstone preachers,& I’m so grateful for the one I have now who shares the love of Jesus! Please keep these Sunday posts coming.
Kim, I’m glad this post encouraged you to leave a comment!
Thank you for sharing your heart and your struggles. Many of us who grew up in hell fire and brimstone had the same struggle. Blessings to you!
Thank you for leaving this beautiful message today. In the times we’re living in, it’s more important than ever for everyone to put their faith in Jesus. God has pulled me through so many difficult times, especially in the last 4 1/2 years. There’s been tremendous loss, but I still have joy because of the wonderful hope and peace I have in Jesus my Savior.
Amen! I love your Sunday devotionals…keep up the good work!
Very beautifully written Tania! I know that being a Christian and having God walk with me on my earthly journey is the only way that I’m able to cope in this very broken world. Like you, I’m not perfect, by any means, but no living person is. Jesus knows that I am going to sin, but that doesn’t stop Him from loving me nor does it change what the Bible promises. I know where my soul is going when my time on earth is done, which brings me so much peace. Thank you Jesus!
Amen. Thank you for the beautiful message.
Thank you. I swear that almost every time you post that you are writing my story. I knew God. I knew that only because of Him was I even alive. But I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus for the longest. I didn’t think I was worthy because of my past and my choices and so so many other reasons. I can’t quote scripture either, but I love God. I can’t remember who said what, but I love Jesus. I can’t find a good church home right now, but I know that the Holy Spirit has spoken through me on many occasions. I’m the broken hot mess daughter of God my Father!! I appreciate you and your heart and your messages and your styles pretty amazing too.
Have a beautiful day and may God bless you with a wonderful week ahead.
Lisa, I think we can all relate to your story.
Oh, I knew by the title, this was going to be a good one! I’m with you, I don’t like the nightly news! My only news source is Relevant Radio. It’s a free app! It’s Catholic, but people of ALL faiths listen to it! Tania, You are a true WITNESS to the love of Christ ❤️ Happy Sunday 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
I look forward to your Sunday posts each week. Thank you for sharing your love for Jesus Christ.
Love your post today. Thank you for sharing your Faith. You will be a blessing to many!
I was haunted as a kid also by that same passage about the eye of a needle and camel!
Way to go Tania… this is true! Thank you for caring for souls, Jesus loves souls it’s the gift he likes best. If you haven’t give him yours. You will not be sorry to give it to him. He wants us to have life and life more abundantly -He died to be a ransom for us!! He who believes in the Lord! …He who who eats my flesh…abides in me… John 6:47-60– Be blessed someone, God, loves you above any other love— believe it, may God grant you grace to believe and walk with Him.. it is more as Tania said
Well said Tania! 🙏
Tania, your words are so relatable and true! In an upside down world, we need those words to help us stand up straight and be grounded. Once we do that, others will follow. Thank you!
Thank you for this post. I can totally relate about not being able to quote Bible verses. I think that was one of the reasons why I felt awkward attending our Ladies Bible Study sessions, so I stopped attending. I still have a looooong way to go in terms of being a good Christian and walking with Christ. Some days are better than others, but I keep trying and I don’t give up.
All the glory to God! Thank you for your encouragement! Bless you!
Hi Tania, thank you for such beautiful
& inspiring words. I needed that.
Have a blessed day as well.
A big hug from Ana in Sugarland, Tx.
✝️✝️✝️🤗🤗🥰🥰
Bless you for your comments and your beautiful faith! What a great way to start my Sunday!❤️
Thank you! Needed this today!
Love your Sunday posts! ❤️
I look forward to your Sunday devotions. They are so uplifting and always just what is needed. Thank you Tania for sharing your faith. To God Be The Glory!
Excellent post!
Amen!
Beautifully written said, Tania. This world needs to see Jesus and have been chosen to be His hands and feet, the light. As the old song goes, “they will know we are Christians by our love”. Have a blessed week!
Thank you for writing this message today Finding Hope in Jesus. I needed this message after listening to the news this week. We need to put our faith and trust in Jesus. Amen
I read your “I am not ashamed” blog. What an inspiration!
I LOVE your Sunday posts! Almost every Sunday your words are just what I needed to hear! I recall my fear as a child after hearing those fire and brimstone messages. So thankful for our loving Savior and His grace I have come to know.
I love your Sunday writing. Thank you for being so bold for Jesus!
Amen 🙌
Amen!!!! I love your Sunday posts. God bless you 🙏
I can’t believe I read and enjoy your Sunday writings. I’m a long time believer in Christ but I still have a short attention span, especially since I receive the Word in various forms all week. your easy flowing, succinct style often snags me and , before I know it, I’ve read the whole thing. God bless you. You bring me daily inspiration. Deb Peppers
❤️❤️❤️
Tania, you have such a gift! For explaining and relating. Praise God that you share your gift! Thanking God for you and your beautiful witness today!
Well said. I do appreciate your posts of faith. I join you in prayer that those who do not know God will come to accept His free gift of salvation.
BTW: I am this week’s winner of the Amazon card!! I am SO excited and grateful. School starts back this week, so the extra cash will be a plus. Thank you!!!
Thank you for sharing your faith and for showing the way to Jesus Christ. May God continue to bless you!
There is always good out there.
We just have to find it!
Amen! I needed this today.
Thank you for your beautiful Sunday morning devotionals. You are truly inspiring. May our Lord continue to bless you!
Amen.
Thank you for this devotional! I pray that it touches lives today that don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I’ve been a Christ follower for a long time but just did a Bible study called Seamless by Angie Smith. If weaves through the Bible the whole story of Jesus – so anyone who’s been following the Lord a long time or a new Christian will learn so much about our great God & His love for us!
I just ordered Seamless. I feel like I’ve done it before, but it will be a good refresher if I have.
Wonderful post! I I appreciate the inspirational post each week. ❤️
Amen! I enjoy reading your daily posts especially the scriptures. Thank you for sharing. ❤
Such a beautiful post! Thank you, Tania!
Your message today is bold without being aggressive. You’ve done a wonderful job of explaining the way to Christ thru faith and His grace. Thank you for sharing from your heart. It was a wonderful way to start my day!
I completely agree! 🙂
Amen! And well said! Thank you for sharing with your audience
Thanks be to God for this truth in scripture and thank you for boldly sharing your faith . It’s a joy to see your posts and get fabulous fashion ideas.
I love your Sunday posts and admire your willingness to share your faith. That is what we are called to do. Keep on the way you are. It is so encouraging, and as the old phrase goes, you may be the only Jesus some will ever see.
Cheryl, I’m flawed, so it is scary to think that “I” might be the only Jesus someone sees.
Thank you for being brave and sharing His message with others. I always enjoy the Sunday messages so much. You’re a blessing. 🙏✝️🩷
Loved your message today!
I also sometimes feel awkward and uncomfortable in my Bible study as I am not as familiar with the verses as others. I am constantly reminding myself that it is a journey and I need to stay on the right path.
God bless you Tania.
Tania, I love you daily emails and especially your Sunday devotional. This one is especially important. I have sent it to my brother and his wife hoping they will read it. Growing up Catholic in the Northeast , we never read the Bible or even owned one. I have lived I the South now for over 50 years and asked Jesus into my heart at a Billy Graham event in Atlanta in 1994. It was the most important decision I ever made. My life completely changed and I am forever grateful.
Thank you for sharing. We all have friends and family members that we worry about. I pray that this post touches someone’s heart and brings them to Jesus.
I grew up Protestant in the Notheast and we never read the Bible at home. Now I am Catholic and my life belongs to Jesus. Please don’t think it is only Catholics who can be far from the Lord. I encourage you to unite, not divide. Have a blessed day! I am praying for you and your brother!❤️
Hi Marty,
I’m so sorry about your experience growing up without a Bible in your home, and never reading one as a family. I just wanted to share that I am a Catholic and thankfully had a daddy that prayed everyday with us, read God’s word to us, and made sure all his children knew the hope and salvation we have in Jesus. Today my children and grandchildren all own their own Bibles and read it, pray and know Jesus personally. I am grateful all day, everyday for my Christian brothers and sisters and pray that all those who don’t know Jesus will find Him in people like you, Tania and me! God bless you!
Tania, what a blessing you are and I love your Sunday posts❣️. God’s continued blessings in your life and have a blessed week❣️
Through God, all things are possible. Thank you for your Sunday posts.
Amen!
God bless you Tania.
Preach it sister friend! May the Lord bless you. Not everyone will agree because they are still in darkness but prayerfully the LIGHT will reveal to them the TRUTH.
I always read and enjoy your Sunday devotional . Thank you.
Beautifully said! I look forward to your Sunday posts and always like to read your scripture verse on each of your posts.
I pray many may come to the Lord through this email. You’ve planted seeds. Thank you!! I too choose to not listen to the bad in this world because I know who holds my future!!!
This was so beautifully said. Our little human brains sometimes have a hard time with the concept of “just believing in Jesus.” It truly is that simple. God knew we could never be good enough so he sent his son in the flesh to cover our sins with His Blood. Now we want to do good works to honor and glorify Jesus but our salvation once accepted can never be taken away! Such wonderful peace which passes all human understanding! Thanks again for starting my Sunday morning with the Lord!
You put that wonderfully!
Amen! I love your Sunday posts.
Thank you…so much of what you say I feel or have felt. I look forward to your daily email. You are a blessing 😇
I love your Sunday devotional. In this world today we need all the help and hope we can get. You never know whose heart and life you may touch. Praise the Lord. John 3:16.
Amen!
I so look forward to your Sunday posts. Thank you!! I love the Lord! You help me to be able to talk to others about Him!
This is my first time reading your Sunday message. Thank you.
I hope you enjoyed it!