When the story has an unfinished sentence

Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, believers have a living hope.

1 Peter 1:3

When the story has an unfinished sentence. There is usually more happening here than the obvious problem. There is no virtue in denial, but there is also no freedom in self-definition by circumstance. Christ is still the authority over your identity. Hope is not denial dressed in religious language. The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives hope a foundation circumstances cannot remove. Stop presenting God with the polished summary. Jesus Christ already sees the fear, motive, grief, and hope underneath it.

What personal story has grown around the facts of the situation? Where does the story conflict with your identity in Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ, I want this response to be led by You rather than by an old pattern. Steady me in the moment between trigger and response, and lead me there. Amen.