The Igniting Hope Blog

The Art of a Faster Comeback By Steve Backlund I don’t live in constant emotional euphoria. My goal is this to make my low places higher and not stay there as long. I want to bounce back quicker than I used to. It is called resilience. Resilience is the ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover quickly from adversity, trauma, or significant change. People of hope bounce back faster, not because they avoid difficulty, but because they interpret and respond to life different

I Am So Glad I Needed to Persevere By Steve Backlund This is a continuation of my last blog, “I Am So Glad It Was Hard”. One of the most freeing truths I’ve learned is this: What we overcome (what we persevere in) becomes an area we carry spiritual authority and increased influence in to bring breakthrough and freedom to others. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the

I Am So Glad It Was Hard By Steve Backlund I was talking with Wendy recently as we reflected on high-profile Christian leaders who were in the news because of personal failures that have caused great pain in the Body of Christ. Some were people who rose quickly in influence and whose character hadn’t caught up with their calling. In the middle of that conversation, something came out of my mouth that surprised me with its clarity: “I am so glad it was hard for us.” I’m gratef

The Power of Repetition By Steve Backlund “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe” (Philippians 3:1). 7.4 - I read once that this is the average number of times individuals heard the gospel before surrendering and believing in Jesus. I cannot verify that this is entirely accurate, but it is clear most heard many times before believing. This is not only true for salvation but also for other truth

Embracing “Failure” By Steve Backlund Let’s reject the lie that says, “If something is hard to do for us, then we can’t do it.” If we fall for this deception, we are determining our future from our past. This faulty thinking is something we cannot take with us in the higher plans and purposes God has for us. The opposite of this lie and life-restricting mindset is this: I embrace failure as part of the process of learning to walk in higher levels of living. As I think about

5 Biblical Ways to Celebrate Your Progress By Steve Backlund “ ...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it...” Philippians 1:6 Celebrating progress is part of having a hope-filled outlook on life. It is always fun to celebrate a toddler who is learning to walk, even though he is falling down more than he is walking. We don’t withhold approval from him until perfect walking is achieved, but we cheer on this child who is growing in the gift of walking. Even though I