Hope Amidst HardshipSample

Living with Intentionality

Intentionality is a bit of a buzzword these days, but what does it really mean for us when it comes to cultivating hope? It means that the pursuit of hope is just that—a pursuit. Hope doesn’t just fall into our lap. It takes persistence and practice. Just like achieving the perfect sourdough loaf or waking up early to pray, catching a grip on hope requires pushing yourself every day to do it. 

As simple as the practices we’ve explored in this study may seem, they take all take practice, especially in seasons of hardship. Each of them requires a certain amount of initiative. Make it a regular occurrence to pencil each of these practices into your schedule as you go through the year. Create margin for thankfulness and lament in your prayer life. Share with God the things in your day—both big and small—that are evidence of His love for you. Practice letting Him in on the things that weigh you down the most. Plan out ways to practically bless those in your life—send snail mail just to say hello or order pizza to a friend’s home when you know they’re having a tough week. Sometimes, when hope doesn’t come easy, intentionality can be our greatest tool to finding it, and showing others where it can be found.  

Pray: 

God of Hope, you’ve created us in your image. Help me to be someone who reflects your radical hope in times of great fear, doubt, and uncertainty in the world. You call me to be light in this world. You compel me to be salt. As I strive to be those things to a world that desperately longs for hope, may I find the strength from you to do so. I know that it takes time and intentionality, and sometimes I would rather hide from it all. But Jesus, compel me to do the hard work of choosing hope each day. Of sharing hope each day. Give me eyes to see the places and people who are craving stability and light, so that I might be a vessel of your hope amidst hardship. I know it is not always easy, but it always, always worth it.  

Amen. 

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