To-Be List
Steps toward a new you in the new year
Welcome to a new year - and a new feature on our blog!
We women are well-acquainted with our to-do lists. I have two at work - a longer one on tablet paper and a shorter, more pressing one on a post-it note - and several more on various scraps of paper at home. I just know if I don't jot down the fact that I need to buy more dish-washing liquid or call that colleague, these tasks are going to escape my easily distracted, sleep-deprived brain.
While many of us live by our to-do lists, we often don't spend near as much time and attention (and note paper) on who we want to be. Perhaps because that's more daunting. Buying a bottle of lemon-scented Dawn is way easier than becoming a more patient person. Not to mention more quantifiable.
And if I made a list of all the things I want and need to be - more disciplined, less petty, more thoughtful - I'd get depressed, rip up my list, and seek solace in a tub of Ben and Jerry's (note to self: add ice cream to grocery list).
But what if we focused on just one trait a week? That's more doable, right?
To that end, each Monday we're going to post a trait for us all to work on in the coming week. We'll include a definition and Scripture reference for each word, as well as a few ways to try to work on that area of our life. And we invite your suggestions and reflections too.
Here's to new growth in the New Year. And the only thing you have to add to your to-do list is a reminder to visit our site each Monday!
To Be: Hopeful
hopeful: 1. having or manifesting hope. 2. Inspiring hope; promising.
". . . 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 faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
It's a new year, a fresh start. Woo. But with the flailing economy, world conflicts, and perhaps even a few resolutions already broken, sometimes it can be hard to hang onto hope.
Still, those of us who know Christ have eternal, unconditional hope. And while the capital-H hope of heaven helps provide a peace that passes all understanding, the little-h hope of the here and now can at times be trickier to keep in our grasp.
Want to keep that hopeful New Year's glow? Or get out of a post-holiday funk? Let these steps help you get started:
How to be more hopeful:
1. Write "hope" on a post-it note and put it in a place you see often: your bathroom mirror, near your computer screen, the front of your fridge.
2. Memorize Isaiah 40:31 above.
3. Every time you say something negative or hopeless this week, chase it with two positive, hopeful comments.
4. Make a list of the events coming up this year that give you hope. If you don't have any, make some hope-inspiring plans pronto!
5. Make a list of the hope-stealers in your life. Take time to pray over that list, entrusting each item to God's sovereign care. If needed, enlist a prayer partner for big things that are difficult to let go.
Tell us how you maintain a hopeful attitude.
Posted at 4:52 PM on January 5, 2009.
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Comments
I try to keep my eyes on the Lord. He unfailingly inspires hope.
Posted by: Cheryl on January 6, 2009
What a great idea!!
Posted by: Beth @ A Quest for Relevance on January 7, 2009
My favorite definition of hope is from my pastor:
Faith + Patience = Hope
Posted by: Paulette on January 7, 2009
Already have that scripture memorized, its definetly a good one to keep in mind! As a person who struggles with anxiety/panic disorder, I think it's a great idea to chase the negative with two positives!
Posted by: Gail on January 8, 2009
I love the Isaiah scripture. I sure could use a healthy dose of hope as I'm getting over the flu, volunteering at my local genealogical society and struggling for direction after graduation from college with a BA in Linguistics. Thank you Jesus that we can hope in you and wait on and rest in your strength, help me to soar as I trust on you.
Posted by: Gwynn on January 8, 2009
Hope is knowing that the relationships we have with our brothers and sisters will continue into eternity and only grow sweeter and deeper because of the fellowship we share in Christ. Hope erases all "good-byes" for the believer.
Posted by: Annette on January 9, 2009
Hope comes from the Lord. Realizing His sovereignty is what keeps me hopeful. If I didn't have Him to lean on, I would be hopeless.
Posted by: Gloria on January 9, 2009
Is there any way that you could make a printable version of the info about each week's character trait available? I think this is a great idea and would love to be able to print it to hang on my bathroom mirror or put with my quiet time things! Thanks for challenging us!
Posted by: Susan on January 9, 2009
This is so great! I'm glad I found this. God has been working on me with this very issue. HOPE! He gave me the scripture verse Romans 15:13~~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.(NLT) I'm in the proccess of memorizing that verse. I look forward to Monday!!
Posted by: Danielle on January 10, 2009
I like this idea very much. I've had 'memorize scripture' & 'study my Bible' on my TO DO LIST. This will be a fun way to do both.
Posted by: Jackie on January 10, 2009
You can cut and paste what you want from the article: Highlight what you want to print, copy it (Ctrl C in PC), Open MSWord (or other word procesing program) and paste (Ctrl V in PC). Edit if needed (You could personalize it by putting your name in key places, for instance) and print.
This is a great idea. Rom 15:13 is one of my favorite verses, too. God gave it to me at a particularly tough time in my life. He's always there for us. That is the biggest reason to hope there is.
btw, if you are really prone to eating ice cream for emotional reasons, check out how much a serving is. Try this one time: measure out one serving (usually 1/2 cup) in a pretty little bowl, and put the ice cream container away. Sit down and eat the serving slowly, savoring each small spoonful. Think about hopeful things (or whatever we are being this week.) Then turn your attention to something else, maybe doing some small thing about whatever made you want to eat ice cream. If you feel really good about yourself after trying this, it might be worth doing more than once...
Posted by: Mary Brown on January 10, 2009
This the best thing that i have ever read for this year and the good part is it's the begining of the year i am sure God has good plans for all of us for this year or what do we say . We live in Hope !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Juraney on January 13, 2009