Sometimes biblical statements astound me. Not just in the truth they express but the expanse of their application. Here’s one from 1 Corinthians 1:5: “In [Christ] you have been enriched in every way.” Can it be that every aspect of our lives is enriched … made better … when we belong to Jesus?

Is He able to enrich our intellect? Our health? Our relationships? Our emotional life? Does He make a difference in how we work, play, rest, and face challenges? How important is He when we find we have been betrayed, lied about, abandoned, rejected, or passed over? What effect does knowing Him make when we encounter a devastating medical diagnosis, the crushing loss of someone we love, or an overwhelming family crisis? In other words, how does knowing Him impact our daily lives?

When I came to know Jesus, I was in my late twenties. I was married, had four children, and from all outward appearances, life was going okay. Oh sure, we had our share of problems, but nothing out of the ordinary. If someone had asked me what was missing in my life, I wouldn’t have been able to come up with anything, other than maybe having more money to spend.

I had no idea what awaited me on the other side of salvation. As soon as I entered into a personal relationship with Jesus my heart seemed to expand, allowing me to experience so much more than I had dreamed possible. Not only did I find a new joy and peace, but I also was filled with a brand new kind of hope that seemed to have no boundaries. It bubbled up inside me at the oddest times, convincing me I could tackle anything and be successful at it now that I was partnering with Jesus.

To fully understand how this played out in those early days, I have to tell you something I’ve seldom shared with anyone: I never could do a cartwheel when I was a kid. No matter how many times I practiced, I couldn’t keep my arms and upper body straight while throwing my legs up and over my head. Somehow my legs always got tangled up and I ended up in a heap on the grass or gym floor. The physical jarring wasn’t half as painful as knowing my peers were watching me fail, over and over again.

So shortly after I got saved (at age 29) I found myself revisiting my failure. Having read “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV), I figured I could now do what had alluded me so many years ago. I’m sure the Lord smiled watching me attempt my first cartwheel in years!

What seemingly impossible thing have you tried since becoming a Christian? Has new hope taken up residence in your heart? Do you exhibit the joyful optimism of one who trusts a powerful Savior? Like me, you probably look back on those early days with the Lord and wish you could recover some of that just-saved zeal. But maybe we only need to remind ourselves of what we possess in Christ. After all, we know Him even better now. We’ve walked many miles with Him and have found Him faithful. He has never let us down. We know in an even richer way that “those who hope in me will not be disappointed” (Isaiah 49:23).

The hope God gives is different from worldly hope. The world’s hope is made of gossamer … light, delicate, and insubstantial. When tough times comes, we can’t depend on it. It can disappear as quickly as morning dew on grass. The promises we have in Jesus, on the other hand, are like a firm anchor that grips our lives and keeps us on an even keel. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19).

In Christ we are brought into every promise made by God. He’s the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophesies, and in Him we will see all things promised in the New Testament come to pass. Knowing this should fill us with hope every day we live.

How will this hope play out in your life today? Can you see it extended to things you’ve long viewed as hopeless, a waste of your time to even attempt? For example, can you believe He will strengthen you to forgive that offense that’s made you bitterly depressed for years? Or finish that educational goal you gave up on long ago? Will you harness God’s hope to launch out into a new field of ministry, believing what you lack will be supplied through the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life? Or maybe revisit a place full of pain, trusting that with God’s help you can finally gain victory over its power to bring you down?

Paul said he rejoiced in the hope of the glory of God, even when he had to undergo suffering. Why? Because “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5).

You likely won’t use God’s hope to attempt a cartwheel, like I did. But being enriched by Christ in every way certainly opens up lots of exciting possibilities. In whatever area of life Satan has robbed you of hope, stealing your peace and joy, you can fight back with optimism anchored in the faithfulness of Almighty God. Nothing is impossible when we rely on His strength, not our own. Our faith in Him to accomplish worthwhile goals honors Him and gives Him glory.

Jesus said “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). Will we launch out on that and see the glory of God manifested in our lives in new and surprising ways?

I love this encouragement found in Daniel 11:32: “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (KJV). Hoping in Him will make a difference – in every area of life!

So what exploits will you try today?