How to Cultivate Hope in Difficult Seasons

Finding Hope When It’s Hard

So…you’re walking through a season When Hope is Hard. If you haven’t read my previous post sharing my current season, you may follow the above link and do so now.

I’ll wait for you.

Now that you’re back, maybe you’d like some oh-so-practical ideas for navigating difficult seasons. I don’t know what is entailed in your difficult season. Chronic illness? Physical pain? Loss? Fear? Anxiety? Whatever the specifics, I think these tips can help us navigate trying times.

Let’s start with the physical.

How to Cultivate Hope in Difficult Seasons

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Take Care of Your Body

• Food–It is so hard to bother with the basics in times of stress, isn’t it? Try to get some nutritious food into your body every day. This has been a tough one for me, since “comfort food” and “treats” are so tempting in these times. The twenty pounds I’ve gained in the past five months are proof of my dietary struggles. However, I’ve been making a huge effort toward better choices for the past few weeks. At the least, try to add fruits and veggies in! I’m feeling better since I’ve gone back to my morning Green Smoothie.
• Water–Just drink it!
• Sleep and rest–Make this a top priority. Slice things from your to-do list. Say “no” to every non-essential time-eater.

Walk in Sunshine

If possible, get in some exercise every day…even a simple walk around the block. Since my foot injury, I have been unable to walk or bike or even swim, and it’s been hard. My husband suggested I at least sit out in the porch in the sunshine for a while every day. Simply sitting there has been a real mood booster, and I’ve actually written it on my to-do list. I try to have my devotional time out there each morning, and often take a book out for reading time later in the afternoon. Highly recommended!

Feed Your Soul

Sometimes chronic illness or injury makes it difficult or impossible to attend church each week. Due to this, I’ve ramped up my devotional time to fill in the gap. I’ve  made a few additions to my regular devotional practices.

• Gratitude Journaling. I know I’ve mentioned this practice multiple times, but I especially emphasize this in difficult times. Anne Voskamp inspired this practice in her lovely book One Thousand Gifts. Procure a beautiful journal and begin today!
• Scripture Writing. This is a new practice to me, and I highly recommend it. Simply select a passage and write it out! I find I’m really paying attention and meditating on the passage as I do this. I love these Scripture writing journals from Cultivate What Matters. They contain sections for gratitude, suggested passage, blank space for journaling or writing prayers, and a place to write a word for the day. I love to use colorful pens for this activity. You’ll find my favorites here and here.

Repeat After Me: “Yes, Thank You!”

I cannot emphasize this one enough!

If you’re like me, you want to be the helper, not the one helped. Let go of this immediately! Accept ALL OFFERS OF HELP!

REPEAT! ACCEPT ALL OFFERS OF HELP!

When someone offers to go grocery shopping for you. Bring dinner. Do laundry. Vacuum the floor. Run your errands. Take over a responsibility. Make you a cup of tea. Fetch your book from the other room.

The only responsible answer is, “Yes, thank you”.

I’m so thankful for my parents, husband, sister, and daughter-in-love who have gone grocery shopping, brought meals, taken packages to the Post Office, returned books to the library, run to the drugstore, and done a thousand other things to help me.

Let’s practice saying it together.

“Yes, thank you.”

Well done! I knew you could do it.

Use the Buddy System

When hope is hard, this is when you really need to make time for friends. I have so many dear, loving friends near and far, and they have encouraged me through social media, private messages, texts, and cards in the mail. Oh, I am so thankful for these encouragements! But nothing can take the place of a face-to-face heart-to-heart.

Text your friend and invite her for a tea date. Pour out your struggles. Receive and give love and encouragement, laughter, and hope.

If you don’t have a friend like this, please continue trying to cultivate friendships! Don’t give up.

Create Beautiful Things

If you’re laid up with illness or injury, this a great opportunity to brush up–or learn–a creative hobby or skill. I’ve finished one crocheted blanket and am well into a second. It makes me feel happy to see the beautiful colors, feel a sense of accomplishment, and enjoy the rhythmic therapy of working with my hands. It’s easy to find free tutorials for almost any skill, and you can even order supplies online without leaving your house. Maybe you’d like to try your hand at knitting, crochet, watercolor, hand lettering, Bible journaling, needlepoint, cross-stitch, sewing, art journaling…

Scroll all the way to the end of this post for photos of the blankets I’ve been crocheting!

I would love to hear your tips on how to cultivate hope in a difficult season. Please share in the comments or on any of my social media.

How can I pray for you? Please comment or email me at KIMTURNERMCCULLEY@GMAIL.COM.

My next post will be Suggested Books for Difficult Seasons. Sign up for my VIP LIST HERE and you will be notified every time I post. You’re invited to follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.

I frequently link up with the lovely Christian bloggers you can find here!

Suggested Reading

Tips for Trying Times

When Hope is Hard

Is My Dream Too Small?

Finding Joy in the Mundane

How to Find Joy in the Mundane

My Granny Stripe Blanket was created using a free pattern from Lucy at Attic 24. Link here.

The Sweet Pea Blanket also uses the free pattern from Attic 24. Link here.