Diamonds In the Rough
Finding HOPE in Challenging Times
Dear Friends,
I am so thankful you took the time to stop on by.
My prayer for you today is that you would have perseverance throughout these unprecedented times!
It seems like “whatever can be shaken, is being shaken“.
Thankfully, we serve the God of HOPE. No matter the season we face, He is right alongside us with outstretched arms overflowing with HOPE, JOY and PEACE – all readily available for our taking.
I would LOVE to share with you 7 HOPE-Filled Habits that God is helping me use – to not only survive, but to also THRIVE – even during the stormy seasons of life.
These habits can be likened to, “discovering diamonds in the rough” – HOPE-filled diamonds for challenging times.
My desire is that your HOPE would be renewed and strengthened today as you discover these “diamonds in the rough”…
7 HOPE-Filled Habits to Help You THRIVE
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Diamond #1: Wake-Up Thankful
A few years ago I was encouraged to wake up each morning declaring,
Thank You God that You have good plans for me.
Plans not to harm me but to prosper me and to give me a hope and a future.
Thank You that You have written my story in heaven and that it will come to pass.
Waking up each morning with a thankful heart for these promises, has given me much HOPE to face the day ahead. I am reminded that God’s plans for me are good and He will fulfill them!
Call to Action: Read Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 139:16 aloud and then wake-up each morning thankful for God’s HOPE-filled promises for your life.
Diamond #2: Delve into God’s Word
While in Bible College, one of my professors shared that bankers don’t study fake bills to detect counterfeit money. Instead, they study real money so well that when something counterfeit comes into their hands, they can easily notice.
My professor used this as an analogy so that we would be encouraged to read and know the Word of God so well, that we would be able to easily detect anything that came our way that wasn’t inline with Truth.
Reading the Bible everyday, purifies me from the lies of the enemy and fills me with the HOPE that God is still in control.
Call to Action: Read Romans 12:2 and John 17:17 aloud and then daily set aside time to read God’s Word to renew your mind with His HOPE-filled Truth.
Diamond #3: Guard Your Thoughts
I remember having a quote posted on my wall, years ago, stating,…
What I feed my mind with, will determine what I think.
And what I think, will determine how I live.
The Word of God emphasizes to us to dwell on things that are from above and to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. I believe a BIG part of this involves monitoring our intake.
When I am careful to read, listen to and watch positive, biblically-based and Christ-centered articles, podcasts and videos, I find that my thoughts are more HOPE-filled.
Call to Action: Read Colossians 3:2, Philippians 4:8 and 2 Corinthians 10:5 aloud and then monitor your intake and only accept thoughts that line up with Truth.
Diamond #4: Wield Your Shield of Faith
Recently, I have been encouraged to spend less time worrying (which is imagining my future without God) and to spend more time dwelling on faith-filled thoughts that focus on what my life looks like with Christ in control and reigning over all.
The Bible encourages us to use our shield of faith to stand up against every fiery dart of the enemy. Darts of the enemy are hopeless thoughts of doubt and worry that come to discourage us.
Since faith comes by hearing the Word of God, I have found my hopeless thoughts are soon replaced by HOPE-filled thoughts as I dwell upon God’s Kingdom ways.
Call to Action: Read Ephesians 6:16 and Romans 10:17 aloud and then in faith combat every fiery dart that comes your way with God’s HOPE-filled promises.
Diamond #5: Journal Your Identity
Although a prolific journal writer, I found when I started having babies my entries were few and far between. I recently shared with a friend my desire to journal again. Within a few days she gave me a journal to inspire me to implement that desire.
And it worked!
This time around I find my journal entries not so much dwelling on the past as much as declaring what the Word of God says about me and how I feel He is speaking to me about my future. Looking at myself and my future in light of His Word, fills me with HOPE and anticipation for what is to come!
Call to Action: Read Philippians 3:13-14 and Habakkuk 2:2-3 aloud and then begin journaling about your identity and destiny in Christ based on His Word.
Diamond #6: Find Your People
After spending last year at a school of ministry where I was daily ministered to by HOPE-filled people, I was concerned that I would not find a similar community at my next destination.
And so, I was encouraged to think of a few like-minded people whom I could count on to cheer me on in the faith. I then reached out to those friends and all were more than happy to be available to me.
Now instead of withdrawing inward or being negatively influenced by other random people, I know who I can count on to pray with me and to speak LIFE over me.
Call to Action: Read 2 Corinthians 6:14 and Hebrews 10:24-25 aloud and then find friends to connect with when HOPE-filled thoughts and prayers are needed.
Diamond #7: Bask In His Presence
There is a song that says,
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Helen Howarth Lemmel
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
When I am anxious, I find it difficult to pray or read God’s Word without being distracted by my thoughts. I have found that if I can spend time in worship, my gaze will be redirected to Jesus and I will permeate HOPE-filled peaceful thoughts again.
Call to Action: Read Psalm 16:11 and John 4:24 aloud and then pursue God’s presence daily through worship so your mind will be at peace and your HOPE renewed.
You Can Do This
Pursuing HOPE in challenging times is more than worth your time and effort. When HOPE is your portion, anxiety is bound to leave as it is repelled by God’s Truth.
If you are desiring HOPE-filled prayer and Words of LIFE, you are welcome to contact me by pressing the button below. In the mean time, remember you are never alone. Jesus is with you always.
With His overflowing LOVE, a great big HUG and a genuine SMILE,
Evangeline
P.S. You are welcome to download this printable to remind you of the 7 HOPE-Filled Habits
