When life is hard, it’s easy to lose hope. Health crises, the loss of loved ones, and traumatic experiences often leave us wondering, “When will it ever get better?”
I’ve certainly had my share of difficult seasons. During those tough times, I experienced intense anxiety and uncertainty, often feeling lost and broken.
I sometimes felt consumed by my circumstances, with fears, the weight of grief, and many concerns weighing me down. Hope dimmed, energy dissipated and joy faded.
Yet, even in those darkest moments, I discovered that hope prevails. There are ways to rise with hope in tough times!
How to Rise with Hope
When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to lose sight of hope. But there are ways to stay anchored in faith and keep moving forward. Here are a few ways you can hold on to hope when life feels unbearable:
Lean on Your Faith
In the stormiest seasons of life faith becomes our anchor. Have you ever felt distant from God during hard times? I have. Yet, when I spent even a few quiet moments in prayer, I was reminded that He never leaves, even when my heart feels heavy.
When you feel weak and the heavy weight of burdens, remember that He is your strength, Jesus is with you, even when you can’t feel his presence.
The Power of Prayer in Tough Times
When life becomes overwhelming, and we feel burdened by grief, fear, or uncertainty, prayer can be a powerful source of comfort and strength.
Praying during tough times isn’t just about asking God to fix our problems. It’s about opening our hearts to His presence, surrendering our burdens, and trusting Him to guide us through the storm.
Have you ever noticed that when you give your burdens to Jesus, your heart feels lighter?
By offering our worries and fears to Him, we lighten our hearts, renew our hope, and find the strength to keep moving forward.
Prayer reminds us that God is with us every step of the way, helping us rise with renewed energy and peace.
Take One Day at a Time
When life feels overwhelming, it’s tempting to focus on everything that’s going wrong. But trying to solve all our problems at once can feel unbearable. Instead, focus on today. Take one small step at a time, trusting that God will give you the grace you need for tomorrow when it comes.
Matthew 6:34 reminds us not to worry about tomorrow because today has enough trouble of its own. When you focus on today’s steps, you’ll find strength in each moment, without feeling weighed down by tomorrow’s unknowns.
Surround Yourself with Support
Grief and hardship can make us feel isolated as if no one truly understands our pain. But remember, you don’t have to carry this weight alone. Reach out to trusted friends, family, or a faith community.
Sometimes, hearing someone say, “I’m here for you,” can remind you that you’re not walking through this storm alone.
Don’t hesitate to seek professional help or pastoral counseling if needed. There’s no shame in getting the support you need when life feels too heavy to bear alone.
Attitude of Gratitude
It can be hard to see the good when everything feels wrong. But even in the darkest seasons, there are glimmers of hope. Make it a habit to look for small blessings each day—whether it’s the warmth of the sun, a kind word from a friend, or a moment of peace.
Gratitude helps shift our focus from what we’ve lost to what we still have. And sometimes, those small moments of gratitude are enough to keep us going.
Take Care of Yourself
Grief, anxiety, and stress can take a toll on your physical health. It’s important to care for your body, mind, and soul. Make sure you’re nourishing your body, getting enough rest, and doing things that replenish your spirit.
A walk outside, quiet time in nature, or a few moments of stillness can do wonders and restoring your energy and perspective.
Hold on to Hope
Hope doesn’t mean pretending everything is okay. It’s the quiet confidence that, even when things are hard, God is working for your good. Hold on to that hope, even if it’s just a small glimmer. Sometimes, just believing that tomorrow could be better gives us the strength to face today.
A Poem: Wrapped in His Perfect Love
I wrote this poem several years ago during a difficult time. It’s a reminder that, even when life feels overwhelming, we are wrapped in His perfect love!
Your heart shatters beneath the weight of fear,
this brokenness you carry year by year.
Hope dims as shadows cloud your sight,
and faith, once strong, gives way to fright.
What future lies ahead in this despair?
In the storm, is Jesus truly there?
Anxiety’s tide has shifted the shore,
and peace feels distant, lost evermore.
Consumed by fears that steal your days,
the past has melted in an anxious haze.
Longing for freedom, though the path seems dim,
at last, you surrender all to Him.
Now you look to Jesus, your soul at rest,
for in His peace, your heart is blessed.
Wrapped in His perfect love, you rise with hope, set free,
no longer bound by life’s stormy sea.
In His perfect love, you’ve found your way,
from darkness to light, to a brighter day.
Friends, if you’ve survived hard things, you are not alone. I encourage you not to give up. God’s perfect love will comfort you and bring new hope, even in the darkest moments.
On those days when getting out of bed feels impossible, remember this: His light is still shining. Sometimes it may feel faint, just a small glimmer on the horizon, but it’s enough. That tiny spark of hope can light the way through today, and before you know it, brighter days will come again.
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