Two words. Linked together, they explode with power, providing ocean depths of hope. Two words spinning dark and impossible, into obtainable light and victory. Two words holding endless potential for reconciliation, healing, renewal, a future. Two words waiting to fill your hard with peace and even joy. These two words? But Jesus.

The first almost insignificant word means “on the contrary; except; still; unless; yet”. It’s often glided over in a sentence, unacknowledged as the springboard to big transitions. However, in isolation, its impact is felt. After spinning a tale that has brought the audience’s expectations for a happy resolution to zero, with raised finger, the orator proclaims “But!…”, and pauses as the anticipation builds. But what? There’s more to the story? This is not the end? We are not left “here”? Tell us!

The second word holds the punch. The power. The answer. The hope. “Jesus”. 

Living life with a large extended family, including our own children and grandchildren, “but Jesus” stories accumulate in stacked piles that could fill volumes.  His continual presence, guidance and grace towards us is overwhelming.

We’ve faced devastating divorce, threatening to crush us. But Jesus. We’ve walked through depression and hurt aimed to snuff out our inner light. But Jesus. We’ve encountered physical crises taking our breath away and melting our hearts. But Jesus. We’ve confronted the winds of disease and cancer, leaving us trembling and wilted like unwatered vines. But Jesus. We’ve sported sharp-edged personality traits, with quirks and dispositions that bring temptation to throw hands in the air and march away from each other. But Jesus. Because of Him we have experienced strength and laughter; love and breakthroughs; healing and hope.

As you linger through the following “but Jesus” statements from God’s Word, feel them wash over and refresh you like a gurgling, cool spring of water at an unexpected oasis in your desert journey. (Do not be unsettled by the interchange of God and Jesus in our little power phrase. For Jesus declared, “I and the Father are One.” John 10:30)

“Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles.” Acts 7:9

“A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Psalm 34:19

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

“I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.” Psalm 118:13

“Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.” Luke 9:42

“I was blind, but (Jesus healed me and) now I see!” John 9:25

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I (Jesus) have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“…at my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me….But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.” 2 Timothy 4:16-17

And a very powerful statement in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed.” Why? Jesus.

Feeling enslaved? Troubled? Like your heart is failing? That you are about to fall? Deserted? Hard pressed? Crushed? Perplexed? Persecuted? Struck down? 

Oh, my friend. Read again the words of God that overflow with hope and  encouragement for you. Name your hard and then proclaim, but Jesus! 

“I cannot take another day of this madness. But Jesus.  I have no strength left to get through this struggle. But Jesus. I am at the end of my rope. But Jesus. I cannot see through the confusion. But Jesus. I am suffocating with loneliness. But Jesus.”

Proclaim His promises, and then wait for Him to make His presence known to you. For Him to provide. For Him to work on your behalf.

Even saturated in sorrow, as we stand in the valley of death, we can shout into the darkness, “But Jesus!” Our voices can soar with the promise that is proclaimed in these beautiful, inspiring words.

“Glory to God in full anthems of joy;
The being He gave us death cannot destroy;
Sad were the life we may part with tomorrow,
If tears were our birthright, and death were our end.
But Jesus has cheered the dark valley of sorrow,
And bade us, immortal, to heaven ascend;
Lift then your voices in triumph on high,
For Jesus hath risen, and man shall not die.”
-Henry Ware

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