In the midst of our current {unknown} situation, four ideas come to mind. Hope. Grace. Press In. Don’t Worry.

Over the next few days, I’ll share how God is using those words to keep me calm. To give me peace. To keep my eyes on Jesus.

I am grateful for so many things, but the number one thing I’m thankful for is my hope is in Jesus Christ. Four years ago, a mini-hell erupted in my life. I’ve alluded to my trials, but haven’t yet shared the entire story. God keeps telling me it’s not time. I’ll let you know as soon as I get the go-ahead. In the meantime, I’ll share the lessons I’m learning along the way…like HOPE in Jesus.

The one thing I always counted on these past four years is Jesus. Jesus is my constant. He is always certain!

Jesus Christ has been, is, and always will be my Rock, my Comforter, my Strength, my Redeemer. My Hope! Not my wishful thinking, but my firm hope.

Every time I am afraid, worried, depressed, rejected, abandoned, anxious, I pour my heart out to Jesus and He comes through for me. All my hope & trust is in Him because He is faithful. Always.

In these uncertain times, where is your hope?

Is your hope in the cash in your bank account?
Is your hope in your job? or your spouse’s job?
Is your hope in a stocked pantry? or full freezer?
Is your hope in the economy?
Is your hope in our leaders?
Is your hope in your church? your church leaders?
Is your hope in your spouse?
Is your hope in your freedom to homeschool?

Those are all gifts from God, but they are not certain. Jesus is the only one who is certain. He is more creative than you or me … and He will bring us through this pandemic in ways we can’t even imagine.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
I Timothy 6:17

Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.  Psalm 25:20-21

Which of these “Hope in Jesus” verses encourage you?

Write it on an index card. Put it on your bathroom mirror or next to your kitchen sink. Somewhere you will read it all day long.

It’s easy for me to say, “Put your hope in Jesus”. But it’s not always easy to do. Let’s talk about a few ideas that might help you. . . 3 practical ideas to not worry.

Pay Attention to Your Thoughts

Your thoughts determine how you feel, what you say and what you do, so let’s start here.

As soon as you catch yourself worrying about anything, say the name “Jesus” and take a deep breath. You’d be amazed how calming it is to breathe deeply and say Jesus aloud. You’re not using the name Jesus like magic, but turning your thoughts to Him. Changing your thoughts from worry to faith or hope in Jesus. Remember, HE is faithful.

Four years ago, my brother advised me to pay attention to my thoughts & words. I’ve been working on it & can honestly say I “catch” my thoughts much sooner.

In the past, I had 30-minute conversations in my head. All the things I wanted to say to someone. All the things I was worried about. All the hurts and rejections I was experiencing. My inner chat would go on and on. As my inner chat droned on, I worked myself into a frenzy. It was not good. I needed to change my thoughts … take every thought to Christ.

As I pay more attention to my thoughts, I catch my inner chats in a few minutes now. I quickly pray God would change my thoughts. I say out loud (if possible) truths about Jesus.

“Jesus is my Rock. I don’t need to think about this. I am turning it over to Jesus right now. I can’t quit thinking about it, so I’m asking Jesus to change my thoughts.”

Although it takes time, Jesus is faithful to change our thoughts. Before I close this first idea, let me share what I read this morning. Perfect timing!

When we begin to think about our thoughts, perhaps for the first time, we can stop the downward spiral. We can reset and redirect them. That’s our hope. Not that we would wrestle each and every fear, but that we would allow God to take up so much space in our thinking that our fears will shrink in comparison

Jennie Allen, Get Out of Your Head

Will you let God take up so much space in your head that your fears, worries, depression shrivels up?

Honesty Update:

God is testing me this morning.

In the middle of editing this post, I had a trial. All morning, my thoughts kept having an inner chat. But, God kept reminding me to trust Him. Turn my thoughts & my problem over to Him.

So, I said , “Jesus”. I took deep breaths and asked God to change my thoughts. They kept coming back and I kept turning back to Jesus. Sometimes every 10 minutes. And, this afternoon is much better.

Prayer Journal

Secondly, I grab my journal when my thoughts take a spiraling downturn. I write down whatever I am thinking. It’s my prayer to God at that time. I write it all down.

Hey … He already knows it. I’m brutally honest. What about you? Are you honest with God?

Next, I write down truths about Jesus. Truths that shift my focus from my problems to the One who solves my problems. Shifting my focus from worry to God. Here’s what I recently wrote.

Gratitude Journal

I have another journal I’ve kept for seven years. It’s my gratitude journal. I try to write at least 3 gifts from God each day. Yesterday I wrote number 5607 in my things to be thankful for list.

Some of my gifts are simple, like sunshine, birds chirping on my walk, air-conditioning, hot coffee. Other gifts are deep, like God is faithful or God protected me by not allowing me that opportunity. Others are personal, coffee with my friend, phone call with my kids, watching my granddaughter learn to walk.

When we change our perspective from worry to God and from worry to gratitude, a peace is found. A peace that is beyond our understanding. A peace that only comes from God.

After I wrote the verses above, I remembered I shared these exact verses with my Salvadoran friends at SHIP last Sunday. To give them peace. Many are unsure if they will have food for their family this week. But, they hope in Jesus.

Would you memorize these verses as a family? I’ve made a printable to help you. If you want a copy, enter your name & email below and we’ll send it to you.

Where is your hope today?
What are you doing to keep your eyes on Jesus?
What are you doing to keep your kids’ eyes on Jesus?