Throughout the Bible, even in some of the darkest times, and under the darkest circumstances, we can see one thing, over and over again...HOPE. Hope is important, and, as Christians, we are blessed to have the Holy Scripture beaconing us and reminding us each day that there is *always* reason to hope, no matter the season we are in!

Let''s take a closer look at this short verse....

Just a few weeks after my 32nd birthday, I was given the news that my lupus had caused more damage to internal organs, and drastic measures were needed. Match lit - and my hut was on fire.

Shortly after receiving the news, I received a call. I was so glad to hear the voice on the other end - that of a good friend. She had called earlier the same day - before I received the news, but had called again, and I felt a surge of hope rise within me when I heard her voice the second time that day - what wonderful timing!

However, my hope and joy at hearing my friend''s voice on the other end of the line quickly turned to a deep sadness. I had obviously been crying when I picked up the phone, and was aching over the news. I intermittently choked on tears as my friend was lecturing me on an issue I thought we had closed months before.

Lupus was once considered a "rare" disease, effecting only a few women - mothers, daughters, and wives. However, that is no longer the case as Lupus continues to grow within our population. Scientists aren''t sure why, but nine out of 10 people who have lupus are women. The illness is also more common in blacks, Asians, and Hispanics, and typically strikes those between the ages of 15 and 45 (childbearing age), however, it''s possible to get it younger or older.

If you have "lupus", (systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE), you have what''s known as an autoimmune disease. In other words, for reasons that remain unknown, your immune system attacks your own healthy cells. In the case of lupus, they believe that the DNA in your body''s cells is under attack. This causes inflammation and can damage tissues. Most often the disease targets the joints and skin, but the kidneys, bones, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain are also vulnerable. (see below for more information on what lupus most oftens does to each organ system.)

Nearly three years ago, I began spiraling down a deep, dark hole that seemed to only get deeper and darker as I went. On the surface, most people would have had no idea that I was shattered mentally and emotionally. And, looking at my business, no one would have been able to tell.

I ran a successful web development company at the time. Things were going well, we had projects, we were busy, we were getting paid - I was considering expanding the business further. I had three beautiful children, and most people looking in on my life would have thought that I was living my dream.

However, my soul was crying. There was a deep dark empty void inside me, and, within a few months, I was on the verge of suicide. I knew how I would do it, I had my affairs "in order". And, I had *almost* convinced myself that my children would be okay without their mother. Almost. I couldn''t seem to cross that final gap, where I either didn''t care about what happened to them, or that I fully believed they would be fine without their mom.