Take Heart: Hope in the Midst of Brokenness
Welcome to the very first weekly devotional from Pilgrim Experiences. My heart for this space is simple: that we would walk together as modern-day pilgrims — living Christ-centered lives, shaped by rhythms of faith, and grounded in God’s Word.
One of the 5 marks of a pilgrim today is being Word-anchored. That means letting Scripture guide us, sustain us, and remind us of the hope we have in Christ. And so, it feels only right that we begin here, rooted in God’s Word.
I couldn’t start this first devotional without acknowledging the heaviness of the past few days. To ignore what’s happened — Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the school shooting(s), and the heartbreak all around — would feel tone deaf. These moments force us to stare at the brokenness in our world: lives lost, fear, grief, division.
I’ll be honest with you: I’ve been sad. I’ve been mourning what’s happened, and it’s weighed heavily on me. But in the midst of prayer and reflection, I was reminded of the hope I have in Christ. And that’s what I want this devotional to speak into.
Living in a Broken World
Scripture is clear: we live in a fallen world, and we are in the middle of a spiritual battle. The grief, the anger, the confusion we see all around us aren’t just random — they are symptoms of a deeper war being waged.
But here’s the good news: Satan doesn’t get the last word.
Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart — I have overcome the world.”
And because of His victory, Romans 8:37 reminds us that we are “more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.”
The Final Word
So even in the midst of tragedy, grief, and division, we cling to this truth: the brokenness doesn’t get the final word. Jesus does.
And here’s the encouragement I want to leave with you today: whatever weight you’re carrying, you don’t carry it alone. Christ has already overcome. In Him, you have the strength to stand and the hope to keep walking forward — step by step, like a pilgrim on the journey.
Pilgrim Practice: Take a few moments today to sit quietly, read John 16:33 and Romans 8:37, and thank God that the battle belongs to Him. Ask Him to remind you of His victory in the places where you feel weary.
Prayer:
Lord, we bring before You the tragedies and the pain we see — the death, the violence, the loss of life, and the fear in our hearts. We mourn. We weep. But thank You, Jesus, that Your words bring hope: that in this world You have overcome. Help us to live as more than conquerors through Your love. Remind us that You hold tomorrow. Amen.