Practical Ways To Stay Hopeful and Positive

Hope is the part of the foundation of our faith life. Though we pay less attention to the topic of Hope and focus more on Faith. The bible tells us in Hebrews 11:1 that;

“…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

According to this verse, Faith is having confidence that what you Hope for has come to reality. In other words, Faith cannot exist without us first, being hopeful. The foundation of our faith in Christ Jesus is Hope, that we Hope that in Christ we are free from the bondage of sin and death. We bring these Hope to life by expressing in reality through faith our freedom in Christ Jesus. To help you understand the concept of Hope, I recommend this Biblword devotional on “What is Hope?”. 

Another important feature of Hope is positivity. As long as there is something to hope for then it is something positive. We only hope for what’s good, anything hoped for  that’s not positive is not hope, it is a plot. Hope deals with options, solutions, freedom, reward, etc. As a believer, one day I sincerely and patiently await the day of Christ coming when I would be united with God in Heaven as an heir through Christ Jesus. Now this is me hoping for a day to come because I am certain about its outcome so long am in Christ Jesus. I like the way the bible communicates this thought in 1 Corinthians 4:16-18. It reads;

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Also, I appreciate how Billy Graham puts it in the 5 verses on Hope found in Jesus Christ devotional. He said;

“For the believer there is hope beyond the grave, because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection.” -Billy Graham

Now that we understand to a great level what hope means, let’s identify practical ways to stay Hopeful and Positive.

7 Powerful Practical Ways To Stay Hopeful and Positive.

1. Pray 

Prayer keeps us hydrated and alive when we are thirsty and feel like giving up. Prayer is fellowship with the Holy Spirit who is the Living Water. As a believer, when you start to lose Hope on the promises of God for your life in Christ Jesus. It is a sign that you need to go back to God in prayer. Hope is renewed in the place of prayer. To lose Hope, is to become weary and anxious, but the bible in Philippians 4:6 urge us saying;

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Instead of harbouring fear, pessimism and doubt, embrace positivity and stay hopeful in Christ Jesus through prayer. To have a wider understanding of the impact of prayer in your life, take out time to read this content on How Prayer Can Transform Your Life.

1. Memorise

Another powerful and effective way to stay hopeful is by studying and storing up God’s words in your heart- memorizing the word of God. The word of God stored in your heart is one of your greatest weapons to wage the war against despair and pessimism. I like how Apostle Paul puts it in his second letter to Timothy, chapter 3 and verse 15. He said;

“…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

 

The surest way to daily renew our hope in Christ Jesus; our hope for freedom; our hope for victory; our hope for a better future; our hope for a great destiny is by daily soaking and absolving God’s promises, assurances and commands into our heart. Read your bible everyday and understand God’s perception about that situation that is making you lose hope, and I assure you that your Hope will be renewed.

1. Meditate

It is not enough to study and memorise God’s word alone, but it is important that you meditate on it by holding that memory verse in your thoughts and ponder on it. Ask the Holy Spirit to explain it to you, and trust me. He will! The verses in the bible I like to consider when discussing the importance of meditating God’s word is Psalm 1:1-3. It reads;

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”   

One peculiar perspective the Holy Spirit revealed to me about this verse as I was writing this is that there are various ways we “sit in the seat of scoffers”. That it is possible for us as believers to lose hope, because of what an unbeliever said, or because colleagues and neighbours are scoffing at us, then we forget the memory verse and we start to meditate on their words instead of God’s word. We allow the devil to rob us of our Joy because we fail to meditate only on God’s word. If there is any way you can stay positive as you go about your daily routine, it is by meditating on the word of God.

1. Memento

Memento comes from the imperative form of “meminisse”, a Latin verb that literally means “to remember.” They are objects like pictures, writings, tracks, necklaces etc. that help you remember a person, place or a special event. Your ability to remember what God has done for you in the past will help you stay positive and hopeful that He will see you through this season. How do you remember? 

• Have a testimony journal.
• Write it down in your diary.
• Share and celebrate good news and testimony with friends and relatives.
• Take pictures! 
• Count your blessings.

All these are practical ways to stay hopeful and positive by creating a memento that helps you remember God’s goodness in your life and stay hopeful.Like King David said in Psalm 77:11;

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.”

1. Music

Good and positive music is an essential practical way to stay hopeful and positive. Music holds the power to make or mar you depending on which you choose. There is music that lifts your spirit and restores hope to your weary soul. I can say this of every kind of music, particularly music with secular lyrics. When I say good music, believe me, hymns are at the top of my list. So, here are Five Hymns to help you stay hopeful and positive:

• My Hope is Built on Nothing Less.
• In Christ Alone.
• Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus.
• Amazing Grace! (How Sweet The Sound)
• Because He Lives.

The music you listen to is like a gateway to your heart. Guard your heart by listening to Holy Spirit inspired songs.

1. Mingle

I like the Cambridge Dictionary meaning to this word, “to be with or among other people, especially talking to them.” To stay hopeful and positive in trying times, you need to surround yourself with the right people. Loneliness is not advisable in times like this. Go out meet with people, share your worries with friends, join a community and watch as yourself heal from whatever might be holding you down. If you’re a believer then you want to start attending Church service regularly. 

Another way to mingle is by being part of a small or large community where you get to share your experiences with other and get reasonable advise, as well as assistance if needed. A community helps you grow and hold accountable. You meet people that love you and wants to see you grow and succeed in life. Here is an article to help you understand more about the importance of a community and to find a community for yourself: How to find your tribe and feel like you belong.

1. Be Intentional

Finally, it important that you are intentional about your being hopeful. There are a lot of reasons to want to lose up in these world and the more reason you need to be intentional about keeping Hope alive. Read your bible and pray everyday, meditate on God’s word, guard your heart from scoffers by listening to good and Spirit inspired music alone. It is also important you socialise with the right people or community. Intentionally revolve your thoughts around the word of God and things that are positive. Philippians 4:8 reads:

 “… brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

To draw the curtain, I will leave you with these verses to memorise and  meditate on. Romans 8:24-25:

‭‭” For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”