Hope When There is a Strippin’….
There are times in our lives, where our God allows “a strippin’.” The word “strippin'” is a southern word which means, stripping. Stripping occurs suddenly some days and then sometimes it’s a day by day occurrence. 
Quite literally, you are stripped of everything that gives you meaning and purpose in this life until you are left bare and naked! Now isn’t this an encouraging word? I know it’s heavy but don’t stop reading because there is HOPE in the midst of a strippin’! When our Lord allows the natural disasters, illnesses, failures, financial challenges, ministry burn out, rebellion of any nature to strip our lives of everything that has given us security – Then HE becomes all that we have!
You and I get to choose to let HIM be our only HOPE! It’s truth! HE HIS OUR HOPE!
How many of you have taught, spoken, encouraged others in the believing that God is our only HOPE! Only to find your self writhing in the floor and struggling with the very thing that you have taught and even believed when the strippin’ occurs in your own life? 
All of us have been there! It’s in the struggle of the stripping that we can discover what the Psalmist meant when he wrote: “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of MY GOD! Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.” (Psalm 119:114-116 emphasis mine) He is all the Hope we need in anything that comes our way! Our job is to keep our focus on Him and stay obedient to His Word. He will sustain us through the strippin’ and He will not let our HOPES be dashed – IF we put our HOPE IN HIM! I would love to hear about your strippin’ journey! Let me hear your comments in the devotional or in the forums!
Hopeful and done been stripped!
Diane
Girls, I have been stripped even in ministry and the more this occurs in my life the more I realize that Jesus really is the only one to run to. He is my hope and my strength. Ministry is challenging from the moving around, raising our children and functioning in a fishbowl, to sharing our husbands with those in the church who need him rather it is counseling or visitation. Our roles are very unique but it truly is a blessing to serve Him in this capacity.
As strippin may be painful it does not compare to the peace and joy that comes when God gives back . It is so overwhelming that words are not enough to thank him. I have be “strippin” and I thought I would not make it but God comes in and the replacement is worth the tears . His present,his love is all I need to make it.