If you’ve been in Christians circles much, you’ve probably heard the term “new Creation in Christ.” Christians say it often, but don’t always stop and think about what it really means.

The term “new creation” is said plainly in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This verse isn’t poetic symbolism. It’s a promise—a declaration of transformation that has been proven time and again in the lives of people who’ve met Jesus in their darkest places.

True Story Examples!

Lacy’s story is one of those. Trapped in addiction and facing the devastating possibility of losing her unborn daughter, she cried out to God. Doctors said her baby wouldn’t survive, but Lacy clung to prayer. Days later, her body was healed, her daughter was saved, and her faith was ignited. Today, she leads others toward the same hope she found.

Carlos was facing 11 years in prison. Guilt and shame crushed him—until a court-appointed attorney looked him in the eyes and told him he had a call on his life. Carlos surrendered everything to God in a jail cell. Sixty days later, he walked out—not just a free man, but a new creation. Today, he serves full-time in ministry, preaching the gospel that saved him.

Tracy, once lost in 42 years of addiction, now holds her daughter and granddaughter in her arms again. Her family was restored because she encountered a Savior who never gave up on her.

These are just a few examples of how real people were made into a new creation through Christ. In my book From These Broken Pieces, I go deeper into these stories and many more!

Friend, the old can be gone. The new can come. Jesus is still in the business of rewriting stories.

The post What Does It Mean To Be a New Creation? appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.

Take this moment from Luke 7:41–43. Jesus is sitting at a Pharisee’s house — Simon — a man who prided himself on religious knowledge and outward righteousness. But Jesus, never one to let a teachable moment slip by, shares a story:

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

It’s simple yet so profound.

In just three verses, Jesus flips the script on religious performance. He shows that love isn’t born out of rule-following or image management. It grows in the soil of forgiveness.

Both debtors were unable to repay their debts. We share the same story. Some of us have lived lives that look cleaner and more put-together. Others have wandered far and made mistakes that seem unforgivable. But in God’s eyes, none of us could pay the debt of sin. We all need grace.

The Twist

And here’s the twist: those who recognize the depth of their need often love Jesus more deeply.

This isn’t about comparing sins or glorifying brokenness. It’s about awareness. When you truly grasp what you’ve been forgiven of, when you stop trying to earn love and simply receive it — that’s when your heart begins to overflow with gratitude.

That’s when love grows.

If you’ve lived through addiction, heartbreak, failure — you’re not disqualified. You’re in a prime position to experience the kind of forgiveness that fuels passionate love for Christ.

And if your story feels “safe,” the invitation is the same: don’t minimize your need for grace. Every one of us stands in the same place — utterly dependent on the mercy of Jesus.

So today, ask yourself: how aware am I of what I’ve been forgiven of?

Because the one who’s been forgiven much — loves much.

And that love? That’s what changes everything.

Want to know more about love? Have you listened to our You Are Loved YouTube series? It features real stories of people rebuilding their life through the love of Jesus!

The post Who Loves More? A Parable That Shifts Everything appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.

And here’s what I’ve learned: God doesn’t wait for us to get it together before He shows up.

In fact, some of the most powerful moments I’ve ever witnessed happened in the middle of the mess. Women crying out to God from a jail cell floor. Mothers whispering prayers through tears after relapses and heartbreak. Survivors of loss taking one shaky step toward hope again.

Letting God in when life falls apart isn’t about having the right words or the perfect prayer. It’s about not shutting Him out. It’s about believing that His presence is real, even when your world isn’t making sense. That He can handle your questions, your anger, your fear—and that He doesn’t flinch at brokenness.

This five-day devotional was born from real stories—raw, redemptive, and beautifully messy. It’s an invitation to stop hiding and start healing. Not by fixing everything overnight, but by trusting the One who promises to be close to the brokenhearted.

If you’re there now—feeling like your life has fallen apart—this plan is for you. God’s not asking for your perfection. Just your permission to enter in.

Start the plan today and let Him in.

The post New Devotional: Letting God In When Life Falls Apart appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.

Romans 8:28

One popular verse on this topic is Romans 8:28 which says, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (CSB) All things. Nothing is a surprise to God and nothing is outside of His domain.

It is also important to note that this verse doesn’t say that all things are good, only that God can redeem anything. Jail is not good. Addiction is not good. Struggling is not good. Difficult circumstances are not easy, but the Lord can use all of it.

James 1:2-3

James is an incredible book of the Bible! I highly encourage you to read it in it’s entirety if you haven’t recently. A beautiful passage in this book is James 1:2-3. “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

Here we see evidence that there is purpose in the middle of pain. Growth can come from even the most difficult places.

2 Corinthians 4:17

 “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” In the context of when Paul wrote this verse, his circumstances weren’t very “light” as we would probably define them. Paul had suffered. He’d been persecuted and later in this letter talks about his “thorn in the flesh.” Simply put, Paul’s troubles were pretty major by our standards. And yet, he kept his focus on glory, on what was eternal.

Want a real life example of someone going through something difficult but finding purpose in it?

Daniel was living in active addiction, and it took him going to jail for the first time to wake up and realize how desperate he was for help. He actually begged the judge to either leave him in jail or take him directly to a recovery home because he knew he couldn’t do it on his own. Watch to hear where he was and where he is today.

Do you have more questions about how God can use difficult circumstances? Time studying God’s Word is so important to also understanding the broader questions about life. A great place to start is my Coming to Life Bible Course which will walk you through the entire Bible to better understand God’s big story.

The post Can God Use Difficult Circumstances for Good? appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.

Life is hard. Maybe your in a season right now where it seems every day is throwing so much at you and the future feels hopeless. That feeling is so heavy. It may sound cliche, but I promise there is hope. What is ahead is much more beautiful then what lies behind. There are a few things you can do today in this moment to start bringing back your hope.

Check In With Your Spirit

Ask yourself, what do you believe about God? What questions do you have about God? I can testify that Jesus has saved and changed my life. He is real and present and wants to do the same for you. The ultimate cure for all hopelessness has a name and that name is Jesus. If you have never had a personal relationship with Him, now is the most important moment. Don’t put this off. You can start today.

Get Some Perspective

Reading the Word of God, the Bible, literally makes you come to life. There is so much Scripture that fights back against hopelessness. For example:

• Romans 15:13
  • “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
    This verse reminds us that hope isn’t something we have to manufacture ourselves—God provides it through His Spirit.
• Jeremiah 29:11
  • “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
    Even when we can’t see the path ahead, God sees the whole picture and has a purpose for our lives.
• Lamentations 3:22–23
  • “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Learn Your Identity

Did you know that the Creator of the universe looks at you and calls you a wonderful masterpiece? You are fearfully and wonderfully made (go read Psalm 139). There is a purpose and a plan for your life. Scroll back up and reread Jeremiah 29:11. You may be in a season that feels really heavy and dark. Hold on. You are special to your maker. There is a reason you are alive and breathing in this moment, in this time of history. If you have accepted Christ as your savior, you are a child of God. His child. You are so, so loved.

Seek Out Community

We were never made to be solo creatures. Fears and insecurities grow alone in the dark. If you are feeling hopeless, start looking outward at other people. Start helping people. Give of your time and talents. Find a church to plug into that can love and encourage you. Don’t hurt alone.

Seek Help

Just as you need community to connect, you also need to be helped. Find someone Bible-based to talk to. Don’t be afraid to seek outside help. Please visit my get help page to access more resources including crisis hotlines and prayers for mental health struggles.

Be Encouraged By Testimonies

You are not the first person to fight hopelessness. Many have gone before you and renewed their hope! Let me share a true story with you about a man named Sean.

Sean spent more than half of his life in prison. When he was finally released, he had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. He had burned every bridge. He was feeling hopeless and considered the fact that he might not survive in the world. Then he remembered that when he watched a church service on the tablets in jail the pastor said, “When you get out there is a place here for you”. So, he walked, in a storm, to that church. Watch to see what happened and where he is today.

The post I Feel Hopeless…Now What? appeared first on Katie Hauck Ministries.