“It really is hopeless!” I was thinking this about a certain relational situation in my life. I was magnifying the problem, not the Lord. I was focusing on how things seemed to be getting worse, the mistakes I had made that contributed to the problem, and how powerless I felt. The more I rehearsed these seeming realities, the more discouraged I got. A spirit of heaviness descended on me, and I was concluding it really was hopeless. 

We all have at least one area that is screaming at us, “THIS REALLY IS HOPELESS!” It could be financial, relational, personal, national, emotional, or a combination of these. The truth is that there are no hopeless circumstances, just people who do not have hope. But it does not always feel that way. 

I tried the normal things I have done to overcome discouragement and frustration: 

• Worship music
• Declarations
• Scripture
• Teaching podcasts

But it did not work. So, I finally decided I needed help from others. So, I went to my wife, Wendy, and shared my struggle. She listened and then asked me this question, “Steve, what do you need to believe to have hope in this area of your life?” The question jolted me. Part of me did not want to hear this because I knew I would need to let go of some really big lies in my life, but I knew I should listen to my wife :-) 

Ok, “Steve, what do you need to believe to have hope in this area?” As I pondered this, I came up with these beliefs:

• I need to believe my prayers are working even when I don’t see them working (Mark 11:24; James 5:16)
• I need to believe all things are working for good – even the mistakes I have made (Romans 8:28)
• I need to believe God is going to complete what He has started in me and in the relationships I have (Philippians 1:6)
• I need to believe I will know what to do and will be empowered to do it (James 1:5; Philippians 4:13)
• I need to believe I am a blessed person and everything I do prospers (Psalms 1:1-3; Galatians 3:13-14)

As I thought about these things, my hope began to rise and the spirit of heaviness began to lift. The joy of the Lord (which is my strength) began to increase as well. 

Feelings don’t validate truth; they just validate what you believe is true. I was learning again how linked my emotions were to my beliefs. 

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Increasing hope is the evidence I am renewing my mind with truth. Decreasing hope is the evidence I am renewing my mind with lies. 

Transformation does not come from doing something different but by believing something different (Romans 12:2). 

So, what is an area you are battling for hope today? What situation is tempting you to believe you cannot live in radical hope and joy now? Why don’t you let Wendy’s question take you on a journey to believe truth like never before? “What do you need to have hope in that area of your life?” I believe as you take this question to the Lord in prayer and meditation, you will find some of the most important truths to believe for personal victory and increased influence. And, as you get these truths in your words and thoughts, you will build new positive strongholds that will make you unstoppable in the days ahead.