How to Find Hope in Hard Times

Published by helloredds@gmail.com on 06/24/2025 09/12/2025

How to Find Hope in Hard Times.

When our family returned home after a devastating storm and flood, it was overwhelming to see our unrecognizable belongings, touch our ruined treasures, and smell the mildew.

The damage was intense, impacting all of my emotions at once.

The flood waters were gone, but the heartache had just arrived. 

Trying to hold back my tears, I walked around the chaos that had once been a home and thanked the volunteers who had arrived to help us clean up and rebuild.

Needing a break from the brokenness, I looked around and prepared to step outside.

And then, a few things caught my attention.

Two small porcelain figurines, perfectly intact even after being submerged in eight feet of water, stood on a bookshelf among hundreds of waterlogged books. A solitary white cross remained unchanged on the wall. An overturned cabinet contained dozens of unbroken pieces of glassware, including my wedding dishes.

Items that should have been in a pile of ruin stood defiant. 

How did they survive a flood that destroyed so much?

It is difficult to understand how these items withstood the storm; yet, they stood as symbols of promise, enabling our family to find hope amid great loss.

Find Hope in Faith

Although hope may be swept away when expectations and longings do not turn out as planned, in Christ, we can remain hopeful and find peace and joy in God’s goodness despite our circumstances. 

Finding hope in your faith is possible because God never disappoints us. His promises are true, and He loves us unconditionally.

Our connection to Jesus is an overflowing fountain of love and hope that sustains us through difficult times, disappointments, and unmet expectations. 

After losing our home, I learned that hope in your faith is grounded in the abundant love of Christ, not in circumstances.

“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 NIV

Find Hope in Gratitude

It would have been easy to dwell on what we lost in the flood. I could have nursed that wound for a long time, but that would be exhausting and discouraging.

Finding hope helps us grieve, release wounds, and move on. It also paves the way for us to see the silver lining in our situation. We can ask God what He is doing in and around us during hard times.

Gratitude is one way we rise out of despair; it is a thankful and humble heart ready to express appreciation. 

I am grateful for the volunteers who traveled from across the country to help clean our house. I appreciate the friends who offered a safe place to live until we were back on our feet.

Also, I am thankful for the small miracles that withstood the storm and reminded me of God’s faithfulness.

This spirit of gratitude translated into fresh hope so our family could move past grief and loss.

“But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.”

1 Samuel 12:24 NLT

Find Hope in Your Future

It is tempting to look back and question loss, wish to change outcomes, or cling to regret. However, that is not the path that leads to a hopeful life. 

Finding hope in your future, looking ahead, ignites gratitude and optimism. 

We choose the foundation of our hope, which is challenging to accept amidst loss and pain. Yet hope is essential to navigating great loss and strengthening our faith.

Putting your hope in Christ leads you from the ashes of despair to the beauty of His presence.

Are you clinging to something that suffocates your hope? Ask God to loosen the hold on your heart so you can walk in peace.

A life following Christ always offers a path back to hope.

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.”

Isaiah 61:3 NLT

“But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It’s like a fragrance that fills the air.”

2 Corinthians 2:14 GW

About the Author: Mary Rooney Armand

Mary Rooney Armand loves writing inspiring, faith-based stories that help others deepen their intimacy with Christ. She is an author, speaker, and creator of the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org.

Also, Mary’s work has been featured on platforms including CrossMap, Woman of Noble Character, Pray with Confidence, and Sunday God Meets Monday Mom.

In addition, Mary is the author of a Bible study on Identity in Christ and the collaborative devotional Life-changing Stories, both available on Amazon.

More places to read ButterflyLiving’s stories and connect with Mary:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/bfl2022

Instagram – www.instagram.com/butterflyliving_

LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/maryrooneyarmand

Website – www.butterflyliving.org

YouTube – www.youtube.com/@maryrooneyarmand

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