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Her face was sullen and her dark eyes empty. The hopelessness she portrayed mirrored the cold, prison atmosphere.

Her hunched shoulders and occasional outbursts confirmed the deep pain I sensed this teenager was carrying. She was shutting out the people around her who were trying to help her find freedom.

A little later, I walked into the empty prison room where she was slouched in a chair and asked if she wanted to talk. Eyes glued to the floor, she adamantly shook her head. My heart went out to her as it was obvious that she was emotionally locked up. I felt helpless.

Then, I felt God prompting me to pray for her, so I laid my hand on her shoulder and began praying for Jesus to heal the pain in her heart and to show this precious girl just how special she was to the Father’s heart. I earnestly asked Jesus to come into our presence and begin the healing process in her broken heart. I prayed that she would be able feel His sweet presence in the midst of the “storm” that was raging inside. To my amazement, as I was praying, she began crying.

I had never seen so many tears coming from one person before. It was hard to believe this was the same girl who had seemed so impenetrable.

Although she never really opened up to me, I rejoiced that she felt His sweet presence, and the “shell” she had built around her heart was beginning to come down. The process of healing had just begun.

There are many examples in the Bible of “hopeless” cases. The disciples were in a terrible storm, the three Hebrew children were thrown into a blazing furnace, Daniel faced the ravishing lions–these were all hopeless situations. Yet, we love these stories because of what happened. Jesus showed up! An impossible situation became a miracle.

Jesus always brings HOPE.

Jesus’ presence is the answer to a hopeless situation.

Our family’s passion is to share hope with those facing difficult situations. We are daily in contact with hurting people, and we have found that there are more lonely and hurting souls in this world than we would ever think. So many are looking for hope, purpose, and a sense of belonging. They cry out for someone to care for them and to assure them that they are not alone.

Even though it IS crucial to have another person who cares about us, it is only the presence of Jesus that brings real HOPE!

Just yesterday, I sat down to answer some letters from inmates who are needing encouragement and hope. One letter was from a young woman on death row. She knows that she did wrong and deserves to be where she is at, yet she is trying to find healing from the unimaginable pain and abuse that she has faced most of her young life. The statement, “Hurting people hurt people” is right on!

As I was writing to these women, God reminded me that they didn’t need to hear some profound, new truth,  but what they needed was to be encouraged to come into the presence of Jesus and allow Him to do His work in their hearts.

As we prayed with people on this past tour, many of them were able to find answers and healing when they were brought into the presence of Jesus! When the woman with the issue of blood needed healing, she needed nothing else but JESUS. His presence brought the physical and emotional healing she desperately needed!

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~Cindy (For The Mullett Family)