Is it a season where nothing seems to go right? Are you and your loved ones facing constant setbacks, unanswered prayers, and failed plans? Know that you're not the only one experiencing this. Many are walking this path with you, and many others have recently emerged from similar struggles.
You're in good company. Even the heroes of the Bible faced immense hardship. They wrestled with despair and learned to cling to hope. As humans living in an imperfect world, we all navigate seasons of highs and lows.
David, a man after God's own heart, frequently expressed feelings of longing, fear, and despair, while simultaneously learning to rely on and trust in God.
Psalms 42:1-11 NLT [1] As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. [2] I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? [3] Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” [4] My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! [5] Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and [6] my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. [7] I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. [8] But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. [9] “O God my rock,” I cry, “why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” [10] Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?” [11] Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!
If you're in a difficult season, here are four ways to rekindle hope.
1. Embrace God's Unchanging Love
Even when circumstances suggest otherwise, God's love for you remains constant and true. Don't just recite verses; actively seek to experience His love. Look for evidence of His presence in your life—a sunrise, a moment of joy, a past act of provision. Lean into His love, trust it, and allow hope to grow.
John 15:9 NLT “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
2. Let Go of Should
The enemy often uses "shoulds" to create guilt and discouragement. You might feel you "should" be more joyful, more faithful, or more resilient. But Christ's sacrifice on the cross freed you from these burdens.
Colossians 2:13-15 NLT [13] You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. [14] He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. [15] In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
Release the pressure to be perfect, and allow hope to flourish.
Romans 8:1 NLT So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
3. Listen for Hope
When overwhelmed by challenges, it's easy to miss the signs of hope. Return to God's promises in Scripture and look for their manifestation in your life. Where do you see God's grace and provision?
2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
Romans 8:31-39 NLT [31] What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? [32] Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? [33] Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. [34] Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. [35] Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? [36] (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) [37] No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. [38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Claim God's promises and listen for the sounds of hope.
4. Shift Your Focus
Instead of asking "Why?" or "Where is God?" ask, "Who does God want to be for me at this moment?" This question shifts your focus from your circumstances to Jesus. It draws your heart to His, offering comfort, security, and hope.
Romans 15:13 NLT I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Remember, you are not alone. God is with you, and hope can be rekindled even in the darkest of seasons.
You're in good company. Even the heroes of the Bible faced immense hardship. They wrestled with despair and learned to cling to hope. As humans living in an imperfect world, we all navigate seasons of highs and lows.
David, a man after God's own heart, frequently expressed feelings of longing, fear, and despair, while simultaneously learning to rely on and trust in God.
Psalms 42:1-11 NLT [1] As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. [2] I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? [3] Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” [4] My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! [5] Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and [6] my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. [7] I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. [8] But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. [9] “O God my rock,” I cry, “why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” [10] Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?” [11] Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!
If you're in a difficult season, here are four ways to rekindle hope.
1. Embrace God's Unchanging Love
Even when circumstances suggest otherwise, God's love for you remains constant and true. Don't just recite verses; actively seek to experience His love. Look for evidence of His presence in your life—a sunrise, a moment of joy, a past act of provision. Lean into His love, trust it, and allow hope to grow.
John 15:9 NLT “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
2. Let Go of Should
The enemy often uses "shoulds" to create guilt and discouragement. You might feel you "should" be more joyful, more faithful, or more resilient. But Christ's sacrifice on the cross freed you from these burdens.
Colossians 2:13-15 NLT [13] You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. [14] He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. [15] In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
Release the pressure to be perfect, and allow hope to flourish.
Romans 8:1 NLT So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
3. Listen for Hope
When overwhelmed by challenges, it's easy to miss the signs of hope. Return to God's promises in Scripture and look for their manifestation in your life. Where do you see God's grace and provision?
2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
Romans 8:31-39 NLT [31] What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? [32] Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? [33] Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. [34] Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. [35] Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? [36] (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) [37] No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. [38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Claim God's promises and listen for the sounds of hope.
4. Shift Your Focus
Instead of asking "Why?" or "Where is God?" ask, "Who does God want to be for me at this moment?" This question shifts your focus from your circumstances to Jesus. It draws your heart to His, offering comfort, security, and hope.
Romans 15:13 NLT I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Remember, you are not alone. God is with you, and hope can be rekindled even in the darkest of seasons.
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