Look at the world around us. Look into the eyes of those you see every day in your workplace, in your family, or on the street. It can seem discouraging, even hopeless, and that’s why I call what our country is facing the ‘Greater Depression’. The suffering in America right now is often unseen. Anxiety, depression, and suicide rates are skyrocketing. The internal suffering is greater than many of us notice. Sometimes no one knows about the invisible struggle going on within a person.
Is this ‘Greater Depression’ a cause for despair? Never! We can’t look at our darkness with fear because the light wins every time. Jesus turned his darkest day on the cross into the brilliant light of the resurrection. And it starts with you. It starts with each one of us choosing to use what we go through with Christ as a victory and HIS light to the world.
The Lord will choose the light for you if you can’t. He will let his light shine in you. Sometimes the only way to get to the light is where it is so dark there is only one option. The light is the only option. Exodus 14:14 says “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still”.
We have to choose to see what we go through as an opportunity to let Christ have victory in our lives. It’s a gift that you struggle with yourself because then you respond to people with love and compassion instead of harsh judgment. Don’t be afraid of your scars and wounds, use them for the glory of God! That  is the greatest gift that we’ve been given as Christians. Isaiah 53:5 says “By his wounds we are healed...” If we say our wounds make us a loser, then we say Jesus was a loser. Jesus was not a loser because he didn’t have friends and everyone left him. He was a winner because even when everything around him crumbled, he knew his victory came through his wounds.
 If you know this truth, nothing can or will stop you. That’s the message of our faith. You’re going to win when you follow Christ. When you follow Christ, even if you fail, you’re a winner. Our country needs to know that you can win even if you’re down or “losing” at something. Our ‘winning’ comes from saying “you can hurt me, and I will love you anyway”. This country needs that. In the struggle, you see what kind of character you have. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Next time someone doubts you, tell them you are a winner because of Christ.
 Call one person today in your life who may feel like they are “losing”. Let them know that you believe in them and that you see them as a winner!
Pray:
Lord Jesus, I choose your victory today. I choose to see the challenges that I am facing as an opportunity for your victory. I give you permission today to choose the light for me in the areas of my life that are caught up in darkness. I give my life over to you. Amen.
Photo Credits:
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Caravaggio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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About the Author
 | Justin Fatica Since Hard as Nails was founded in 2002, Justin Fatica has impacted over two million people. He’s been an itinerant speaker for 20 years, speaking in 4 countries and 44 states. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Education.
Justin has been featured on numerous media outlets such as Good Morning America, ABC Nightline, TBN, EWTN, and was the subject of an HBO film called “Hard as Nails,” as well as a 10 episode television series on EWTN called “You’re Amazing with Justin Fatica,” which focuses on the impact that he and You’re Amazing Missions has made while traveling on the road. He has also gained more than 1.1 million views on his weekly Facebook live videos since January of 2017 and thousands more followers on other social media platforms.
Justin is the author of 5 books, including 2 best sellers, “Hard as Nails: A Mission to Awaken Youth to the Power of God’s Love” and “Win it All: The Way to Heaven for Catholic Teens.” His other books include “The Prayer Workout Devotional: 40 Days of Biblical Reflections to Jumpstart Your Workout Routine;” “You’re Amazing” children’s book; and most recently published in March 2017, “You’re Amazing: A Message of Hope that will Change Your Life Forever.”
He has been endorsed by numerous priests and bishops, including Bishop Rhoades, of the Diocese of Fort Wayne, IN, who said: “With deep passion, Justin shares this faith, hope, and love with young people, teaching and inspiring them to have a living relationship with the Holy Trinity. Justin Fatica is indeed a new evangelizer, helping others to encounter Christ and the liberating truth of the Gospel.” |
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