By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

One of these days I’m putting it on a t-shirt.

In a lot of my blog posts you will read the words “And yet, Jesus…” This wasn’t intentional. I never sat down at my computer and thought of creating a tagline. It happened organically. Over and over again I found myself writing “And yet, Jesus…” in my posts.

The Holy Spirit loves repetition. If something keeps coming up, you’d best pay attention. That neon sign is flashing for a reason. When the Holy Spirit encouraged me to write “And yet, Jesus…” in multiple posts, I listened. God had a lesson for me to learn and maybe something for you to learn, too.

It’s a Matter of Trust

I’m not an optimist by nature. My wiring defaults to imagining all the worst-case scenarios. Through my relationship with Christ, I can change my way of thinking. It’s an on-going process but I’ve made great progress. Nowadays I catch myself sliding into pessimism and reel myself back in. I’m careful to still see the world through a realistic lens – life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows 24/7 – but I can avoid the pitfall of endless anxiety and worry.
How did I make this change?

“And yet, Jesus…”

That’s it. That’s the answer. It’s not complicated. I trust that no matter what happens in the world, Jesus can and will fix it. Romans 8: 28 straight up tells us this: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (KJV). I want to be clear that this isn’t about naivety or toxic positivity. It’s about trusting God and in God’s plans.

“And yet, Jesus…” becomes a powerful statement of faith. When life gets complicated, or it feels like the darkness is overtaking the light in this world, I can lean on this truth: Jesus already overcame the world. He is victorious over death. He is the living embodiment of hope. “And yet, Jesus…” is a mantra we can all speak when facing adversity. Does it mean everything will be good and perfect with a snap of your fingers? Of course not. It doesn’t even guarantee that your path will be easy or without pain or hardship. It does mean that Jesus sees you. He loves you. He is with you, always.

The Topsy-Turvy Kingdom

Life is full of peaks and valleys. It’s easy to rejoice from the top of the mountain, but it’s the bottom of the valley that tests us.

We all face challenges. Our Biblical ancestors faced challenges, too. The beauty of the Gospel is that it provides examples of ordinary people who experienced Jesus and were changed for the better. Jesus didn’t just radically alter the course of human history; He radically altered the lives of the people who met Him two thousand years ago during His earthly ministry. Stories of horror, pain, and darkness are reversed in three little words – “And yet, Jesus…” Here are just a few examples:

• A woman who bled for twelve years and was outcast by her society was healed after touching the hem of His garment (Matthew 9: 20-22, Mark 5: 25-34, Luke 8: 43-48).
• Children with no social standing were welcomed by Christ with open arms (Matthew 19: 13-15, Mark 10: 13-16, Luke 18: 15-17).
• As He hung on the cross between two criminals, He offered them mercy and salvation (Luke 23: 32-43).

He’s altering our lives today. Whatever your circumstances, “And yet, Jesus…” is a reminder that Jesus can radically transform your situation. That transformation may not be what you expect, or within the timeframe you wish, but it will algin with God’s plans.

And Yet, Jesus

Have hope, my friend. I know that sounds trite. When life knocks us down, the last thing we want are platitudes. They come across as pitying at best and ineffective at worst.

“And yet, Jesus…” isn’t an empty platitude. It’s truth. Jesus is with you in the dust. He will lift you up. Remember that you are His beloved child. He will never abandon you. He may even give you a tagline of your own!