Back in the fall, my pastor presented a sermon entitled “Hope for a Savior” as we prepared for the coming Advent season. In this sermon, he shared the idea that if we truly hope for something, then we are often compelled to do the things that align with that hope. On the other hand, if we are not actively doing something then we are just engaging in wishful thinking.
He gave the example of hoping for a new job. When we want a new job, we don’t just sit around and wait for the job to come our way. Instead, we prepare a resume. We purchase interview clothing. We arrange our references. Maybe we take a class or two to brush up on skills. We actively engage in the process of planning and preparing for that job.
Our lives are similar in that we must actively engage, plan, and prepare for the future and the things that we hope for.
1 Peter 1:3 says “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Take note of one keyword: living. Jesus lived for us. He didn’t just exist. And, we too must live. That is an action verb and in living hope we must take action.
Below are 4 practices you can be intentional about in getting your hopes up:
1. Seek the Lord
The Lord is always right beside us. But, often we feel alone and hopeless, so we turn away from Him. “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
Set time aside every day to spend time with God in His Word and in prayer. Let His Word drive out fear and replace it with hope, peace, love, and joy. Make it simple. As you drink your coffee, read a Bible app instead of social media. When you drive to work, listen to the daily audio Bible instead of the radio. Just be persistent about seeking God!
2. Make a plan
If you’ve been around Revelation Wellness for even a quick minute you know what Alisa says about writing things down. I’ll reiterate that here: Writing things down today in preparation for tomorrow sets you up for success in the day ahead.
As we plan and prepare, we must remember that the Lord says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). So plan well, but hold your plans loosely because the Lord may have something else in store for you.
3. Be prepared
Ready yourself to go and do the work of the Lord. Mark 12:30 reminds us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
Being ready to go and do the Lord’s work includes moving and eating well for the Glory of God. It means we fuel and hydrate our bodies to run the race and sustain the battle. And, we must be functional in our fitness endeavors to prepare our bodies to do the physical tasks that life demands.
4. Be thankful and grateful
In order to be hopeful, we must be grateful and thankful for what we have, as well as what we are hoping for. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Engaging in a daily practice of gratitude is an active step towards hope. Write down 3-5 things each and every day that you are grateful for and you’ll notice that you will have more hope for the things to come in the future.
Let's actively engage, plan, and prepare for the future and the things that we hope for.
Here is an example of a morning and evening routine that actively engages your heart, mind, and body to be hopeful for the future:
Morning routine:
1. Wake up and work out for 30-45 minutes (maybe using a RevWellTV video from your favorite instructor) while drinking water to hydrate.
2. Recover while reading the Bible, seeking the Lord, and fueling with a healthy breakfast.
3. Have an attitude of prayer throughout your day to simply stop and seek Him during times of joy and concern.
Evening routine:
1. Review your calendar, schedule, and/or to-do list for tomorrow. Set your intention for the next day and be prepared with your priorities.
2. Write down 3-5 things you are grateful for that happened in this day or that you are hopeful for in the next.
3. End your day in prayer thanking God for the blessing of the day and the hope for tomorrow.
Your actions do not need to be big or monumental, you just have to start somewhere.
Jennifer Voorhaar is a clinical social worker in Maryland who owns a private practice and faith-based wellness center. Jennifer is a Platoon 25 graduate and has taken her talk therapy practice to a whole new level adding faith-based fitness and wellness to provide holistic wellness to her clients.
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7 Responses
Thank you so very much Jennifer!!! I’ve been struggling with a few things and your message was definitely a word in due season for me. I liked how you even gave us sample routines. I’ll be using them as my Lenten practices. Thanks again and have a wonderful blessed Lenten season!
Thanks for sharing, Vickie! That’s a great idea to use these routines are part of your Lenten practice!
Confirmation of my quiet time this morning.
Romans 8
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, [n]in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing, Michel!
Thank you for sharing. To be prepared of something really needs preparation. In God we trust.
Thank you so much. Since following the blog and Revelation Wellness, I have been able to establish my routine for “Time with God and Exercise”. It’s more consistent and I feel so much better in so many ways. I look forward to the day know that He is with me and He will never leave me. Blessings to you and your staff for such a beautiful ministry.
Thank you for sharing, Sandra! We are so glad you are part of the Revelation Wellness community!