I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. - Revelation 7:12

Dear Jesus, funny how you describe life on earth as "the great tribulation" and I spend so much energy trying to make it feel like heaven. Why am I so surprised when daily life gets hard and troubles come? You consigned the world to this as our chastisement for our sin. Instead of making this heaven on earth where we all live in sin forever, you came and you lived and you shed your blood on that great and horrible day that was your "great tribulation". Here, wash my life and make it white in your blood. And reserve for me a place standing before your gracious throne where there is not more tribulation, trouble or sorrow. Since I am going there to be with you in righteousness forever, help me to live with hope, joy and peace no matter what I am facing today. AMEN

"True hope comes as a gift from God's good news and no where else."