Hope is a definite ‘must’ when facing a time of hardship. In the past weeks, Satan has fought many of us to diminish the hope that God wants us to showcase in our lives. In other words, the hope that God wants us to internalize into the fabric of our lives is a confident expectation of looking ahead to what God has promised.
As we boot fear out of our lives, by claiming the promises of God, we will have space that can be filled with hope. Furthermore, we can embrace the moments and the days we are walking in because of that looking forward with confidence in our God.
There are many activities we can do to help fill our soul with a hope that embraces life even when faced with hardships. I share this list with a prayer that your spirit will be revived and hope will spring anew.
Activities To Fill Your Soul
- Do a Bible study on hope. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” God wants us to learn and live with hope filling our soul.
- Set your alarm to be able to watch the sunrise. “Have a strong conversation with yourself,” as my daughter would say to get yourself out of bed. Use that time to praise God for His faithfulness. Meditate on the greatness of God.
- Find a trail to hike. (with your dog, if you have one.) God’s creation is healing for the soul. The quietness can be a soothing balm for the tattered spirit. Subsequently, hope can rise as we see the proof that God brings new life out of the decay of the past winter.
- Focus on what is important. Don’t dwell on the “what ifs” of your situation. Decisively turn your thoughts toward overcoming. A positive outlook will do much to bring hope to the forefront of your mind.
- Celebrate the ordinary moments. Rejoice in all that God has given. In Deuteronomy 28:47 we find that God sees it as a serious sin when we do not rejoice. In the Old Testament God had instituted many feasts for celebration and rejoicing. The Israelite’s had failed to follow through with a life of joyful living. Consequently, they received strong discipline. How convicting, when we look at our own lives. Are we rejoicing in all that God gives?
- Be a seeker of good and list the joys both great and small. Keeping a list of the blessings in your life will help you to keep your eyes fixed on the goodness of God. Moreover, gratitude can become a way of life that will bring you through the many trying situations that you face.
- Do something for someone else. A selfless act of service will lift your spirits, as well as, encourage another. Reach out and help to bear a neighbor’s burden.
- Start a hobby that parallels with your interests. Whether it be learning to garden, crochet, pottery, scrap-booking, crafting, sewing or countless other ideas. Do something that inspires you.
- Plan for the future. Situations will not always stay the same. Hardships will be overcome. A new season will come, just as winter days change to spring. Something to look forward to helps to put a “zing” in our spirit.
- Stop and still your soul. Take time to watch as the sun sets and flings glorious color across the sky. Bask in God’s presence and the promise that He will always be there for us.
Spread Hope, not Despair
As you take the time to consciously fill your soul with hope, you will be able to spread it to others that may be struggling. Furthermore, hope will put wings to your spirit and a spring in your step. Therefore, purposefully, be a contributor of hope and not hopelessness.
Our God is a God of Hope, not a God of despair. He wants us to live with a confident expectation that we will overcome. On the other hand, we must remember that God is not our personal genie. He is the one in charge. We are not. Certainly, God can be trusted to work all things for our good and His glory. Most importantly, we must place our situation into His hands, and then rest in hope that He will do what He has promised.
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