Everyday Hope

A lovely wedding we witnessed in Italy

One of my favorite perks of being an author is hearing from new friends and getting to know them on a personal level.

I received a note from a reader this week via my website sharing some of her current problems and asking for guidance in finding everyday hope through her faith. I prayed for her, and for leading from Papa God in how to best meet her need. I thought I’d share my answer with you in case you, too, may benefit from a bit of everyday hope:

My dear Erica,

Thank you for taking the time to write; it means a lot to me that you’ve turned to me for spiritual guidance. A role I fear I don’t deserve, but will do my best to earn.

You asked about everyday spiritual encouragement through scriptures – a crucial thing for believers, to be sure. I don’t know how any of us could go on without daily encouragement. I’d like to share with you my system for daily nourishment from Papa God’s Word – I call it Life Savers, as I talk about in Chapter 4 of my book, Too Loved to be Lost. It’s a simple system for making sure you chew and digest your own spiritual food, and not depend on someone else to chew it for you.

Since it’s January, it’s the perfect time to begin. Here’s how it works: grab your calendar and record one Life Saver from the list below on the first day of each month. They’re short, pithy, powerful, and oh, so sweet. Memo that Life Saver you’ve chosen for that month on your i-device and jot it on sticky notes to post in all the places you’ll be sure to notice – your bathroom mirror, your car console, your chocolate stash, you know, your hot spots.

Then every time you run across your monthly Life Saver, repeat it aloud three times and let it melt into your heart. Consider the meaning of each word. Savor the Saver. Suck the joy out of that spiritual treat until it’s completely digested and permanently implanted in your innards.

Talk about an infusion of strength! It’s like topping off your gas tank. You’ll be revved up and raring to go anywhere. Plus you’ll be amazed by how many times Papa God uses that very verse to speak to you and through you during that month. By the year’s end, you’ll have twelve new decision-impacting verses memorized. And best of all, they’ll be imprinted on your gray matter hard drive for the rest of your life.

Here are a year’s worth of my favorite Life Savers – all twenty words or less – that pack the biggest punch for me. The last four are brand new; I’ve just added them within the past few weeks.

1. “God is greater than our worried hearts.” 1 John 3:20, MSG

2. “Let your living spill over into thanksgiving.” Col 2:7, MSG

3. “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4, NASB

4. “It’s the praising life that honors me.” Psalm 50:23, MSG

5. “Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thes. 5:11, NIV

6. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.” Phil 4:6, MSG

7. “A gentle tongue can break a bone.” Prov 25:15, MSG

My devo of everyday encouragement

8. “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!” Psalm 43:5, NLT

9. “Live generously.” Matt 5:42, MSG

10. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Gen 18:14, NIV

11. “God will fight the battle for you. And you? Keep your mouth shut!” Ex 14:14, MSG

12. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Prov 4:23, NIV

I hope you find these Life Savers helpful. I know they’ve certainly saved my life numerous times. There are additional ones listed in Too Loved to be Lost, and of course you should feel free to add you own from your personal reading of the scriptures.

I’d also like to send you a copy of Everyday Hope, a little devotional I wrote a few years ago that I hope will help and encourage you. It’s out of print now, but I still have a little stash that I make available at my speaking events.

Please keep in touch and let me know how I can pray for you. And I’d LOVE to hear some of your own Life Savers if you’d be kind enough to share them with me.

Hey, that goes double for you, my BBFF (Blessed Blog Friend Forever)!