Do you have friends or family in this season who have lost hope? Things have become so hard they see no way out? Or maybe that’s you. If so, read on.

I have heard lately from various people that they have lost hope. People who have pressed in, fought hard, and are weary. Their faith weakened. In Galatians 6:9, it tells us to not grow weary in doing good. How do you turn that from a platitude into a platform for hope to those suffering and tired?

The Psalms comfort my heart as I fight off weariness and discouragement. In Psalms 77 and 78, as the psalmist pauses to consider (Selah) his thoughts, he lets his words catch up to his understanding. He then turns back to the truth of who God is. His true character and nature. And fights back!

There are many books, articles, blogs, and sermons written about the character and nature of God. Read these scriptures in Character of God and pause (Selah) to consider the meaning of each one.

This morning, I was reading a book that honestly has been way over my head until recently. It’s called Higher Dimensions by Daniel Duval.  I went back and started from the beginning and asked the Holy Spirit to help me understand what he was saying. And, He did.

Daniel does an excellent job of distinguishing between the soul, heart, and spirit. Something that has always been hard for me to grasp. On pages 67-69, he teaches that, according to Proverbs 4:23, whatever convinces the heart it is truth creates a person’s reality or inner beliefs. If unbelief in God’s character is present in our hearts, it will block the power of faith and tarnish how we perceive God.

In childhood, traumas and hard life experiences can plant unbelief and convince us that God is not who He says He is. It hides way down deep and is hard to uncover. One way we can detect it is by crying out Ephesians 3:14-21, that the “eyes of our understanding” will open our hearts so we can see and understand what has been clouding our faith.

I will write soon about how God is revealing His truth to me as I wrestle out what is keeping me from entering His rest with my whole heart in From Blanket to Tango. I am on the cusp of being free from a lie I have hidden in my heart for a long time. Excited!

A statement at the end of the chapter, If These Walls Could Talk in Restoring Shards of Shame, says “Hope has been deposited here like money in a bank account creating avenues for change.” It’s talking about how community through hospitality, kindness, listening, and meeting practical needs can bring hope. With the Holy Spirit, the character, nature, and truth of God’s Word can heal and restore faith in us.

Reach out to those who need a dose of hope. It could save someone’s life.

Have you identified lies hidden in your heart that have led to unbelief? Has this article given you helpful ways of restoring hope in your life? Please comment on some ways you have received hope.