Having Hope in Hard Times- Guest Post

Today on the blog we have Ashley guest posting for us, and she has decided to write about something that is very near and dear to her heart. It is something we that we all can relate to at one point or another in our lives. Featuring: Having hope in hard times. 

 

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My name is Ashley and I blog over at The Motherhood Journey. I spend my days being a mom to a 20 month old little boy. Last summer, my son and I moved across the state to live with my parents. The transition has not been easy. I moved away from a city that I loved, with friends nearby, most of my life was in that city. Since August, I have been looking for a job, praying for my marriage to be restored, and constantly adjusting to being a mom in a new city.
At the end of last year I was reflecting on one of the words that had been coming up a lot: hope.

This year has been full of hurt and disappointment. If you know what is going on in my life, it would appear to be anything but hopeful. It has felt like my life is moving backwards instead of forwards, I’ve been scared and at times not able to see any good in my future.

Hope means that I am holding on, trusting and believing God even though it is hard to see what He is doing.

 

Ask others to hold your hope

One of the things that has helped me have hope (even when I don’t feel hopeful) is to surround myself with people who can hold hope for me. These people are friends, family, counselors and, mentors. Hope holders remind you not to give up when things are hard. They remind you of the hope that you have in Jesus, the miracle worker who can do the impossible in any situation.

Despite all the challenges and heart break in my life, I have hope. My life is not on hold, I’m pursuing my dreams and passions. I’m taking steps toward becoming my best self. I know that no matter what happens, I have done my part and I have the skills necessary to survive life. Not only to survive but to flourish. I’m growing and learning from my experiences.

I was was afraid to start The Motherhood Journey ; because my life is not perfect and my current life is not anything like I expected it to be at this point. But I knew it was time and I jumped in hoping for the best. God has blessed me so much since I started my blog at the end of last year. I have been encouraged by other moms who have read my blog and have been inspired by my words.

 

Embrace the season you are in: look for the good in your life

I’m learning to embrace the season that I am in even if it is painful. There are so many good things going on in my life: I’ve started a blog, I love my church (and recently became a member), I’m involved in some great mom groups (I’m making new friends all the time), and I’ve started working out. I’m using my skills, not only in starting my blog but pursuing a postpartum doula certification and starting the process of becoming a volunteer at a local maternity home (called iHope maternity home). Most recently, I’ve decided to join Trades of Hope as a Compassion Entrepreneur selling ethically produced jewelry to empower women out of poverty. I’m still seeing a theme with the word “hope”.

I am learning so much during this season of life that I would not have otherwise learned (probably because I am too stubborn to learn the easy way).

Choose to trust in God not your circumstances

As I said above, my life is far from perfect. Each day I have to choose to not give in to discouragement. I have to choose to hope in God and not in my circumstances.

I’m grabbing hope with both hands and never letting go (Hebrews 6:18-20). Some days I am living in hopelessness but I know that God has given me hope even when I don’t feel it or see my situation changing.

Start today… and repeat everyday

This year, my life has changed a lot but I have grown a lot despite the many obstacles I have faced. I have seen good among many horrible experiences. I am choosing hope and am expecting good for my near future (starting today).

This requires prayer because we cannot give ourselves hope. We need other people to help us and pray with us. Without God and without prayer, I truly would be hopeless.

The future is still unknown for the most part but I am looking forward to good.
What do you do in hopeless situations?