The other day, I woke in the night after having a bad dream. To make a long story short, I was attacked by a couple of house cats for no apparent reason.

It didn’t take me too long to realize that it was just a dream. I’ve had dreams in the past that once I realized they were, indeed, just dreams, there was no stress or anxiety.

The sad thing for some is that they wish their situations in life were just dreams, but the truth of the matter is they are real. When this involves sin, there always are consequences. The Scriptures tell us that “whatever a man sows he shall also reap.” Many have made a wreck of their lives and don’t know what to do about it.

The good news is that no matter what the sin, God has given us the promise of forgiveness if we will just humble ourselves before him and confess. First John 1:9 says, “If we confess, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The Lord can give us a new beginning and make something beautiful out of our lives. He can bring about a complete transformation, like when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.

When one becomes a follower of Jesus Christ, one wakes up in a new world of hope, joy and love for our God and fellow human beings. Will there be challenges? Of course, but with them will come power to overcome and grace to help us through them.