You Are Not Behind: How to Start Building a Life You Love TodaySample

Day 2: Allow Yourself to Hope

We often struggle to manage the tension between excitement and disappointment. On the one hand, we can downplay things to the point they will never be good enough. On the other, we can hype things up so much that almost any outcome lets us down. In an effort to manage our expectations, we do a lot of mental gymnastics.

I find myself stealing happiness from today in order to better manage potential sadness for tomorrow.

Whether it’s a new guy I’m going on dates with, a potential new opportunity at work, or something else I secretly want to work out, I put on a front that says, “It probably won’t happen anyway.”

Don’t let them see you get too excited, or you’ll be embarrassed when you have to go back and tell them later it didn’t work out.

Being hopeful feels a little naïve, and I’m too mature for that.

I won’t get caught off guard because I’m realistic and knew this was going to happen anyway.

Maybe you’ve picked up this tendency too: constantly using mental gymnastics to convince yourself, God, and everyone else that you are more okay than you are, and that the thing you long for or circumstance you want to change isn’t bothering you all that much.

The reality is, we still have hope whether we want to admit it or not. It’s how we decide to express that hope that shows what we believe.

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Hope is something hardwired in us by God.

To be joyful in hope (Romans 12:12), that hoping in Him renews our strength (Isaiah 40:31) and in hoping we won’t be put to shame (Romans 5:5).

While my past hurts and heartbreaks made me want to protect myself, I knew I'd miss so much if I didn't let myself feel hopeful.

While learning not to manipulate your hope may feel messy, it can lay the groundwork for some really good things. Romans 5:5 reminds us, "Hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts." In trying to keep ourselves from getting hurt or let down, we avoid experiencing the life right in front of us—a life that is full of really good things.

What are some parts of your life that need a little rebuilding and restoring? Acknowledge the moments when you struggle to believe God is with you and admit when you are not okay. Ask him to help you get your hopes up.