The Habits of Hope:

1. Welcome the Holy Spirit’s Presence

Genesis 1:1-2 (NLT) – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Romans 15:13 (NLT) – I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Confidently Trust God’s Promises

Dwight Moody: “Let a man feed for a month on the promises of God, and he will not talk about his poverty….If you would only go from Genesis to Revelation and see all the promises made by God to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, to the Jews and the Gentiles, and to all His people everywhere; if you would spend a month feeding on the precious promises of God, you would not go about…complaining about how poor you are, but you would lift up your heads with confidence and proclaim the riches of His Grace, because you could not help it.”

3. God Promises His Presence

Matthew 28:20 (NLT) – Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

God Promises His Grace

1 Peter 5:5b (NLT) – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

God Promises His Power

Acts 1:8 (NLT) – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

God Promises His Victory

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT) – But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Embrace a “Through” Perspective

Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT) – The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

4. Connect with God in Prayer

Psalm 71:5 (AMP) – For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust and the source of my confidence from my youth.

James 5:13a (NLT) – Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray.

James 5:16b (NCV) – When a believing person prays, great things happen.