Hope in Hard Times

A 10-day plan for holding onto hope when life is heavy — a verse and a gentle word to steady you each day.

Part of Comfort & Grief

1. Day 1 / 10

   Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

   Hope isn't something you manufacture alone — God Himself is the God of hope, and He fills those who trust Him until they abound in it.

2. Day 2 / 10

   For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

   Whatever this hard season holds, you're held inside plans that are good, peaceful, and purposeful — even the parts you can't see.

3. Day 3 / 10

   The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

   When God is your portion — your enough — you always have grounds for hope, even on a day when much is uncertain.

4. Day 4 / 10

   Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God

   You can preach hope to your own downcast heart. The psalmist questioned his discouragement instead of obeying it — so can you.

5. Day 5 / 10

   But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

   Waiting on the LORD is where strength is renewed. The season that feels like it's draining you may be where God is refilling you.

6. Day 6 / 10

   And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

   Hope placed in God never leaves you let down or ashamed, because it rests on His poured-out love, not on circumstances.

7. Day 7 / 10

   Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

   Courage and hope go together — as you keep hoping in the LORD, He strengthens the very heart that has to keep going.

8. Day 8 / 10

   Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast

   Hope in God is an anchor — sure and steadfast — holding your soul steady while the storm blows over you.

9. Day 9 / 10

   I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

   Christian waiting isn't empty. It hopes in His word — a promise already given, being kept in slow motion.

10. Day 10 / 10

    But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

    Hope is a choice you keep making. As this journey closes, resolve with the psalmist to hope continually — this chapter is not the end of the story.