The Power of Hope
We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it is dormant, confirm it when it is wavering, strengthen it when it is weak, and raise it up when it is overthrown.
— John Calvin
Without question, there is power in hope. Research, stories throughout history, and medical miracles have all highlighted the impact of hope. The following is a story based on the real-life experiences of Jericho Road residents as they worked through their recovery journey. Pain, hardship, realization, honesty, victory, and hope are all realities a resident faces through their time at Jericho Road. We consider it a privilege and honor to share this short season of their lives, helping them discover a new life in Jesus Christ and a hope for their future.
Steve came into the center with only a small bag of personal belongings. A couple of outfits, a water bottle, some socks and underwear, and a few books to help him pass the time. Time—something he had too much of and yet at the same time didn’t have enough. His posture was hunched, his shoes barely holding together, mirroring his guarded emotions and state of mind. Steve was the type of guy who regretted that life was becoming unmanageable and that he needed help. Eye contact was made only with quick glances if you were lucky; his gaze was fixed on the ground in contemplation as to whether he should just be six feet under it. A broken, emotionally paralyzed, dirt-covered human being living out in a world that heaped upon his head burdens, pain, and rainy days. Alone and hopeless, battling addiction and mental health, not really certain anymore as to which came first. The smell consuming him was that of burned bridges, tears no longer able to fall—dried up, empty. I asked Steve if he was a man of faith, if he believed in God. His response was uncertain and distant, like an unheard scream into the wind on the shoreline, “I used to. Not so sure anymore.” A lost, hurt, abandoned soul leaned over in his chair, elbows on his knees, head down.
He began to admit a first courageous step, “Yes, I need help.” A common story, a new start, Steve chose that first willing step of surrender.
The power of hope, God’s pursuit of the one lost sheep, was just beginning. Hopeless, but never too far gone.
Steve had grown so accustomed to being out on his own that his first experience at the center was a bit of culture shock. You could find Steve sitting quietly at a table in the dining hall, seeming to be lost in his own thoughts. Occasionally, Steve would be set off by misread looks and would need to be redirected or corrected. He carried a tension within him like a recoiled snake ready to strike at any time. Part self-protection and part deflection, his outbursts of anger kept others at a distance, which he tended to prefer. Too many hurt, broken relationships to expect openness and trust. Little did people know that this reactionary stance was something he disliked most about himself. Deep down, he would admit that he really did desire closer relationships, but at this point in his life, he was uncertain if it was even possible—if change was even possible.
Steve took time out of his day to be observant. He paid attention to others, engaged in class, and was gradually becoming more willing to open up to staff during counseling sessions. He thought to himself, “Can I really trust these people? Maybe it’ll help to open up more about my relationship with my father? Huh, these people do actually seem like they care? Care about me?” and “What in the world is with that guy, Joe? He’s apparently been here over a year now and always seems to have a positive attitude. I know he’s been through 10 times as much as I have because he openly shares how finding Jesus has helped him. I can only hope the same for me someday—someday.”
Through spiritual counseling, case management, and mental health assessments, Steve began addressing obstacles in his life and developing a plan. He would often share and reflect on past advice given about life from an old friend.
Life is hard. You have a constant decision to make. Choose your hard.
Steve would say, “I’ve had my fair share of rock bottom experiences in my life. I understand very well how difficult life can become. I’ve run away from and have tried to numb the pains of my past; this is hard work, but I know it will be worth it in the end.” In his counseling sessions, Steve talked about how hard it was growing up. He didn’t have a good relationship with his father, if you could call it a relationship at all. His memories were dark and noisy, filled with shouts of rage and fears of physical altercations. He learned just to keep his distance and try to fade into the background. Getting through those years was tough; influencing the years to come. He began to realize the unhealthy coping mechanisms he had developed and was becoming open to new approaches to his mental health and wellness. Steve was taking small steps. His new perspectives on life helped him gain momentum through small accomplishments.
A turning point occurred for Steve one night during an evening chapel service. He had begun looking forward to a group of chapel speakers from a local church who came to share the word of God with them a few times a month. That night, the topic was forgiveness. Steve acknowledged the resentment he carried from his family and past relationships. The speaker shared how unforgiveness and resentment are poisons in our past that can negatively affect our present. The choice to forgive removes the space and power you give to the person who harmed you or the situation that caused so much pain. Steve’s turning point was to begin the process of forgiveness. He wrestled with The Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor in Matthew 18:21-35, realizing that God offers tremendous forgiveness for the sins he had committed. The chapel speaker's words fell fresh on his wounded heart, and he knew what he had to do. He had to forgive. It was solidified as he heard Ephesians 4:31-32:
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
As Steve had recently completed an inventory of his life, he decided it was time to forgive. Even more importantly, the next day he met with the Programs Director and Spiritual Transformation Coordinator, and he made the greatest decision of his life, to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Steve was surprised by the emotions that flooded his heart. It had been so long since he felt what he could only describe as peace and the feeling that something good was happening in his life. Hope—maybe that was it. He saw a future, a new purpose.
As the days passed, Steve experienced more good days than bad. Occasionally, he admitted he let things get to him more than they should have, but was becoming more aware of these tendencies. Whenever he let out his frustration or impatiently responded to others, he was quicker to apologize and make things right. Steve held the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17 close to his heart and mind:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Hope was arising in Steve’s life as he kept trusting in the Lord. Things were going well. The man who originally walked through those doors, head held low, hopeless, and broken, was now making progress in his recovery, had a plan for managing his mental health, and had a few job interviews lined up for the following week. That guy, Joe, who Steve had all those questions about months ago, became one of his closest friends, and he and a few others in the program tried to meet regularly for prayer and Bible study. Each of the guys in the group took turns sharing their testimonies and was intentional about encouraging each other and other men in the program.
We still hear from Steve from time to time since he graduated from the program. His words are full of memories and gratitude for his time spent as a resident at Jericho Road. We’ll see him at graduations and hear from those who attend his church. He shares how much of a blessing it is to share his story with others and how God is using those moments to really help people. The road to recovery is a journey, and he mentions how it is a blessing to now have resources and support as he continues to follow after Jesus.We still hear from Steve from time to time since he graduated from the program. His words are full of memories and gratitude for his time spent as a resident at Jericho Road. We’ll see him at graduations and hear from those who attend his church. He shares how much of a blessing it is to share his story with others and how God is using those moments to really help people. The road to recovery is a journey, and he mentions how it is a blessing to now have resources and support as he continues to follow after Jesus.
At Jericho Road Ministries, we are blessed with opportunities to serve people like Steve and witness the Lord’s mighty work in their lives. Though every resident’s story may not turn out like this one, we understand that recovery ministry is a planting-seeds ministry. Recovery is difficult, and it takes time. As residents go through the Rebuilt Program, there are numerous opportunities. Residents have obtained employment, furthered their education, established mental health plans, determined their own home church, and built a strong support system. We are dedicated to providing time, support, and a Christ-centered community for men and women to find hope and freedom in Christ. Continue to support Jericho Road residents in your thoughts and prayers as we seek the Lord to restore hope in many lives.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13
