The past six months have been tough for me. And I realized that I had forgotten how to have hope.
It seems like it’s been one thing after another.
A thyroid cancer diagnosis.
A baby with enlarged kidneys.
A ridiculous number of doctor’s appointments, tests and medical bills.
A broken dishwasher.
A stomach bug that hit my 3-year-old and husband.
Somewhere along the way, I went from expecting the best to happen to expecting the worst. Or at least fearing something bad was about to happen. Waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I realized that I was losing my ability to hope.
But many of these challenges aren’t going to be resolved overnight, and I don’t want to live each day with a feeling of impending doom.
But how do you get your hope back?
That’s what I’ve been walking through. I’m inspired by words and music so those are the things I’ve been focusing on.
Bible Verses that Restore Hope
- “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
- “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22
- “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
- “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” – Proverbs 31:25
Quotes that Restore Hope
- “Always believe something wonderful is about to happen.”
- “Your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it hope. Feed it truth. Feed it with love.”
- “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis
- “You’re allowed to scream, you’re allowed to cry, but do not give up.”
- “Whatever comes my way today, the outcome is ‘I overcome.’ Christ is in me, I am enough.
I can handle it.” – Steven Furtick
Songs that Restore Hope
- Fight Song by Rachel Platten
- The Champion by Carrie Underwood
- It’s Not Over Yet by King & Country
- Bulletproof by Citizen Way
- Rise Up by Andra Day
- Stand by Rascal Flatts
- I Can Handle It by Steven Furtick
So, how am I taking all these words and lyrics and using them to find hope again? Every day, I write one of these on my bathroom mirror and board in my kitchen so I can see it throughout the day and be reminded that I can hope again, that victory is ahead, that my best days are before me.
We all have struggles. That’s just a part of life. So the next time you are facing a challenge, I pray this will encourage you, will let you know that you are not alone and will give you weapons to fight your discouragement.