Habits of Hope: Cultivating a Deeper Life with God

19. Important Truths to Anchor Your Heart in Hope this Year

• Ginger Harrington • Season 1 • Episode 19

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Are you feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or stuck as the year begins? What if you could step into this season with a heart anchored in hope, no matter what challenges you face? This episode will show you how.

In this episode of the Habits of Hope Podcast, we’re diving into 8 powerful biblical truths that will anchor your heart in hope this year. From God’s unshakable love to His perfect timing and eternal promises, these truths provide the foundation you need to navigate life’s storms with confidence and peace. Whether you’re battling anxiety, waiting on answers, or simply longing for a fresh perspective, this episode is filled with practical encouragement and Scriptural wisdom to remind you that hope is always within reach.

Let’s explore how daily habits of hope, rooted in God’s promises, can transform your mindset, strengthen your faith, and lead you into a year of victory, purpose, and peace. 

Takeaways:

  1. Hope is a choice, not a feeling—grounded in the promises of God, it becomes the anchor for your soul.
  2. You are deeply loved by God, and His love is unconditional, unchanging, and abundant.
  3. Freedom from condemnation allows you to let go of guilt and shame, embracing the grace God freely gives.
  4. God’s timing is purposeful—even in seasons of waiting, He is working behind the scenes for your good.
  5. Victory is already yours in Christ, so you can live confidently, knowing the ultimate battle is won.
  6. You are never alone—God’s faithful presence surrounds you, even in your hardest moments.
  7. Your life has purpose, uniquely designed by God with good works that only you can fulfill.
  8. Eternal hope changes everything, reminding us that this life is not the end and God’s restoration is coming.

Quotes:

  • "Hope is like an anchor for your soul—firm and secure, no matter how strong the storms of life may be."(Hebrews 6:19)
  • "You are not just loved—you are lavishly loved by God." (1 John 3:1)
  • "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Your past doesn’t define you—God’s grace does." (Romans 8:1)

FREE RESOURCE: Start every day anchored in hope! CLICK HERE to get a free guide with 31 powerful sc

Habits of Hope Podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice—spiritual, medical, legal, or otherwise.

Ginger Harrington (00:04.729)
What if I told you that hope isn't just for the optimists? It's something you can choose, even when life feels uncertain. Maybe you're struggling to make ends meet, or perhaps you're battling something deeper. Anxiety, depression, or a health issue that just doesn't seem to let up. You might feel isolated, like no one truly sees you or understands what you're going through.

or perhaps you're overwhelmed by everything crazy happening in the world around us. These are very real things that can steal our hope. But today I want to share why even in the midst of these struggles, we can still step into this year with true hope. You're listening to the Habits of Hope podcast and I'm your host, Ginger Harrington. Our good friend, Larissa Taquer is not with us today, but don't worry, she'll be back with us soon.

Here at Habits of Hope, we believe that cultivating a life rooted in hope and spiritual strength comes through daily rhythms that help us trust God's faithfulness, even in life's most challenging seasons. The more we practice choosing hope, the more we recognize God's faithfulness in our stories. If you're ready to build habits that foster a deeper connection with God and navigate life with a hopeful heart, then my friend,

You are in the right place. Let's get to it because a deeper life starts now. Many Americans are starting this year without a hopeful outlook. Financial stress is at an all-time high with nearly 77 % of people feeling anxious about the economy. Rising rates of anxiety and depression are leaving millions overwhelmed. While loneliness and isolation have reached epidemic levels, even in our hyper

connected world of social media. Add into this political division, health concerns, and the constant barrage of bad news. It's no wonder we often feel like hope is hard to find. But here's the good news. Hope is not only possible, it's closer than you think. Friend, I want to share with you a verse today that has been so powerful for me in learning to anchor myself in hope.

Ginger Harrington (02:23.214)
I love the verse in Hebrews 6 that says, we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Think about that for a moment, an anchor. What does an anchor do? It holds a ship steady, even when the waves crash and the winds blow. Hope is like that anchor for our soul. It steadies us. It keeps us grounded and prevents us from drifting into despair. This is the kind of hope we'll be talking about today.

A hope that is firm and secure because it's rooted in God's truth. Today I'm sharing reasons why we can start this year with hope grounded in truths from God's Word. Along the way, I'll introduce you to a simple habit of hope. Focus on a biblical truth that renews your hope each day. This small daily practice can shift your perspective and anchor your heart no matter what challenges you face.

So here's our first truth that helps us stay grounded in hope, and that is you are a deeply loved child of God. John 316 tells us, God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. And here's another verse that really points to the reality of God's love for us, and I love this one. Verse John 3, 1. See,

what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. Remember that God's love is not conditional. It's not something that you have to earn. It's freely given, and that is a powerful reason to hope. Being God's child means you belong to Him forever. You're part of His family, and nothing can change that. His love for you is so

vast and so real that he gave his son to save you, and that is the depth of his care and commitment for you. Sometimes we can hear verses like this that we've heard again and again, and we forget the impact of them. We don't stop to really think about what is behind this. There was a season in my life where I struggled with feeling overlooked and unworthy, and it felt like nothing I'd

Ginger Harrington (04:48.549)
did. No matter how hard I tried, I wasn't enough. One morning, this verse lifted off the page to me, not rationed, not earned, not just enough to get by, but lavished. There is such an abundance and just an over-the-top aspect of this verse, and God really wants for us to get this one, that He loves us. The truth changed the way that I saw myself.

and I realized that I didn't need to strive for God's love. It was already mine. And you know, friends, this is the truth that sometimes I do have to remind myself of because it is easy to get discouraged and how things are going in your life. Sometimes you do feel like it's not enough or you're not enough or whatever the thing of the day may be. And those are the days where we really need to ground ourselves in the truth because that's what

breeds hope in our life. So here's a thought. Today write down this truth, I am deeply loved by God, and put it someplace where you will see it. Say it out loud and let it sink in as a reminder of who you are. Knowing that you're deeply loved by God is a foundation of hope that we can't bypass. The next truth that gives us hope is you are free from condemnation.

Romans 8-1 tells us, therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Now there is that caveat there, in Christ Jesus. I think this is such a powerful verse because we struggle with self-condemnation. The world often is judging or critical of us, and we also have an enemy of our soul who is accusing and giving us thoughts of

condemnation, and it's so easy to feel like that is the reality. But the truth is there is no condemnation in Christ, and that is a game changer. I was just talking to a friend yesterday, and I reminded her of this truth because she kept bringing up things that had happened in the past, mistakes that she had made, things that she just wished that she could go back and do differently.

Ginger Harrington (07:12.794)
and maybe you have a few things like that in your life as well. And I just reminded her, there is now, right now, no condemnation for you because you're in Christ. And it really opened her to be able to hold onto hope and realize, okay, the things from my past are not disqualifying me from the love of God and from a future of hope. And she really needed to hear that. And friends,

Maybe you need to hear that today as well. Condemnation is not from God. It's a weapon of the enemy to make you feel defeated and unworthy, but God calls you forgiven and redeemed. Living without condemnation brings freedom, freedom to walk in the fullness of God's grace and love and the fullness of who you are in Christ. If you've been replaying mistakes in your mind, struggling with shame, or trying to

reinvent your past. Just hear this. Your past doesn't define you. God's graced us. You're forgiven and there is no condemnation in Christ. And when guilt creeps in, that's voice of self-condemnation. Speak the truth aloud. You are in control of your thoughts and it's like your mind is a door. When self-condemnation starts banging on the door, you have a choice whether or not to open the door or keep it closed. Shut the door.

Bring that thought to Christ. Knowing that we're free from condemnation is powerful and it gives us so much hope, but God doesn't stop there. He also promises to be actively for us, working on our behalf. And so let's look at that truth next. God is for you. Romans 8.31 says, what then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,

who can be against us. God's not just passively putting up with you. He is actively for you. He fights battles for you, and He works for your good. Sometimes it's hard to believe that this is true, particularly if we are stuck in thinking about things that we've done in the past, mistakes that we've made, sins that we've committed, that type of thing. It can make it easy to feel like God's not for us anymore, that we

Ginger Harrington (09:37.392)
ruined that relationship or something like that, God is for us and we're forgiven. Like I said in this last point, there's no condemnation. And so you are free to believe the truth that God is for you. All of these truths that ground us and anchor our hearts in hope, there are things that you've probably heard before and you probably know them quite well.

But my friend, are so easy to forget when you're struggling. And that's what this podcast is about. Those reminders of why, no matter what's going on in your life, you can start this year with hope and you can stay in a hopeful place all year long. When life feels like it's a fight, remind yourself with God on my side, I am not alone in my battles.

God's favor and protection surround you because of His great love for you. Now, I'm not preaching a prosperity gospel here. I am just saying that God is for you and He has your best in His heart. So this promise means that no opposition, whether physical, emotional, spiritual, can overpower God's will for your life. Here's a takeaway to think about for this. Each morning this week, declare out loud, God is for me.

I can face today with confidence and let it shape how you approach your day. God's favor and power are on your side. You can move forward with courage knowing that He's for you. Not only is God for you, but He also promises His faithful presence. Let's explore how that truth anchors us. You're never alone. Deuteronomy 31, 8. I love this verse. It says,

goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. You know, so oftentimes feeling alone and experiencing fear kind of go together, particularly when we're facing hard things or we're facing uncertainty. And sometimes we need to be reminded that God not only goes before us, but He is with us.

Ginger Harrington (11:58.362)
My friend, the next time that you are feeling alone, hang on to this truth that will anchor your heart in hope. God's presence is constant. You're never on the outside of His care. You're never beyond His reach, no matter how lonely or how alone you feel. This promise means that in every situation, God is with you, guiding and strengthening you.

So oftentimes we rely on our feelings to prove to us or to ground this truth in experience. you know, it doesn't necessarily have a feeling attached to it. And so when we are depending on our feelings for it to feel true, we can really struggle to believe that God is with us. And that's where it's important to hang on to these truths of Scripture.

because they don't always feel true in terms of our emotions, but they are true. So when you feel abandoned or isolated, remember, I'm never out of His sight. I'm never out of His care. God is with me. And the loneliness that we feel is very real. I think sometimes God allows us to experience loneliness so that we will turn to Him and draw near to Him with even

more heart, with even more desire, with even more seeking. And so, God has a lot of purposes for the challenges that we experience, but He's always working to draw us closer to Him through those experiences. There was a time that I felt very alone. As a military spouse, we often moved.

When my husband was an active duty and your whole support system is changed. Your family's far away. Your, your friends aren't there anymore. You're in a new community, new schools, new doctors, new everything. And it can bring about a season of feeling very alone, sometimes making new friends and in places that we moved to went better than others. And it.

Ginger Harrington (14:20.691)
Oftentimes, there would be a season of just feeling isolated, and those were times where it was really important for me to draw near to God and just draw closer and really hold fast to the truth that I am not alone and that Christ is with me. And it was very comforting. It was strengthening. And those seasons pass, and that's a good thing. God's presence is your anchor in every storm.

and remember that you're not alone. So take a moment today to thank God for His presence. You know, a prayer that you could pray is, remind me that you're always with me no matter what I face. Knowing that God is with us also gives us confidence that He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. And this is a really important and powerful biblical truth that is a foundation of hope.

Another reason to have hope is you made with a purpose and you're made for a purpose. Ephesians 2 10, I love this verse. It says, for you, are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. You are intentionally created by God, uniquely designed with gifts and talents for His purposes.

your life, it has meaning, my friend, and significance because God has prepared specific good things, good works for you to do. And these are things that nobody else can do. Only you have the relationships that you have. Only you have the experiences. Only you have the experiences that you have, the unique gifts and talents, the things that you've studied and learned.

all of these things, God is working in all of those creating opportunities for us to be able to be His hands and feet in our world. And it's important. God has a purpose for each one of us. Even in seasons where you feel like you don't have direction, God's purpose for your life remains true.

Ginger Harrington (16:38.611)
Even in seasons where it feels like your work isn't productive or maybe you're not reaching your goals or getting that next promotion in your work and your vocation, God still has a purpose for you. I can remember when my kids were in college, you know, that question of like, what are you going to major in? What are you going to do with the rest of your life? Right? That's a hard one. And we don't all know what we want to do with the rest of our life.

And it can prompt some of those questions of what was I made for? Why am I on this earth? And we don't always know exactly what God plans for us. But when we hang on to the truth that He created us and that He has things prepared for us to do that are good, that have purpose, then we could have hope, even if we're not quite sure what the direction is right this moment.

Or even if it feels like we're not doing the job that we wish that we were doing, or things aren't working out the way that we wish that they were. Whenever you question your worth or direction, remember you're not an accident. You're an intentional masterpiece. God has a purpose for you. Here's a little funny story from my husband's growing up. His brothers were 12, 10, and eight years older than him.

And you know how big brothers will sometimes say mean things or just try to get your goat when you're the youngest one. And one of his brothers had said to him, you're an accident. He was just a little guy when this happened and he ran into his mom and he said, mama, am I an accident? And she put him her arms around him and put her.

put him on her lap and said, No, honey, you are not an accident. You are my bonus. And then he felt totally different about the situation. And that's kind of a funny thing. But it is true. You are not an accident. You are God's bonus. You are an intentional masterpiece and God has a purpose for you. So ask God to reveal one way that you can live out his purpose today.

Ginger Harrington (19:00.721)
whether it's encouraging someone, serving someone, or stepping out in faith. Trust God to guide you as you live that out. God's purpose for your life is part of His greater plan. And let's talk about how His timing is always perfect. God's timing is purposeful. Ecclesiastes 3.1 says, there's a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.

then Ecclesiastes 3 11 says, he's made everything beautiful in its time. And timing, this can be a hard one, right? Maybe you're in the middle of waiting on God to answer something that you've really been praying about. And it's hard to wait, isn't it? And sometimes we feel like my opportunity is passing or I need this to happen now. God is late. Is He going to come through for me?

And maybe that's not the best mindset to have, but sometimes we feel those things when we are waiting on God, when it feels like our chances have slipped by or we're disappointed by how something worked out. And those are times where it's really important to hang on to the truth that God is in control and sovereign over time and that He's got a time for everything.

And when we are waiting on him, we can trust him to work the timing out. I was a blogger for years and had a book I was wanting to publish. And I had friends that it seemed to happen so quick for them. I don't think it ever really happens quick for any author, but it appeared that way to me. And sometimes I would get so discouraged and, and want to just throw in the towel, but you know,

The contract came in God's timing. He knew when I was ready for it. And I got the contract the day after I had finished a year of training in counseling and really coming to understand my past history, things that I had believed about myself, truths about who I am in Christ. And the day that course was done was the day I got a book offer. No kidding.

Ginger Harrington (21:21.06)
Like it was that close. And I just realized, Lord, your timing is purposeful. You know when the timing is right. We've all been in an experience where we're waiting on God for something and it just doesn't seem like it's happening. Well, that's when we really need to trust that God has got a timing and a purpose in the timing and we can trust Him.

And if it's not working out today, then he's doing something else right now in the meantime, and we want to be growing and enjoying life and living well and holding on to hope while we wait on his timing. Is it easy? No, it's not easy, but this is an important truth that can anchor our heart in hope. Even when things feel delayed or uncertain,

Remember that God is always at work behind the scenes. Take heart. God is never late. Now let's talk about God's faithfulness and how it ensures that He will finish the good work that He started in you. The next point is God is working in you and He will finish what He started. I love this next verse, Philippians 1 6. Be confident.

of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. God is always working in your life to grow you and shape you, to mature you in Christ, to bring your body, soul, and spirit together in Christ. And we call that sanctification. That's the churchy religious Bible word for it.

But it's that spiritual growth that takes place over a lifetime as we are learning to live into the fullness of who we are in Christ. And God is not going to leave you undone, right? And it may seem like progress is slow, that growth can be slow sometimes, but be confident. Have hope that God has started something so good in you and He will.

Ginger Harrington (23:36.245)
carry it on to completion. He's going to finish it. And we can just praise Him for that. God is actively working in your life to shape you into the person that He created you to be. Now we can cooperate in this process. We can ignore this process. We can resist it. But His work in you isn't finished yet. And as we keep grounding ourselves in Christ, keep

cultivating a deeper life with Him, we're going to hang on to hope. And the struggles and setbacks that we experience, we begin to realize they're not the end of the story, they're not the deal-breakers. God is still working. He's promised to complete His work in you, and that is a guarantee that you're never left unfinished, you're never left abandoned. If you feel like you have failed or fallen short, remember this, God's not finished me.

God's not finished with me yet. He will complete the work he started. So take a moment to thank God for the work that he's doing in you, even if you can't see it fully yet. Believe it by faith and ask him to give you faith to trust the process. God's work in you is ongoing and his work in the people around you is ongoing as well. And sometimes as parents,

or spouses or children. I think we need to remember that, that God is always working in the other believers in our lives as well. He will bring it all to completion. So trust Him to finish what He has started in your life. Let's shift now to the promise of victory that we have.

Ginger Harrington (25:25.056)
Let's shift now to the truth that God's plans are good. Jeremiah 29, 11. may be familiar with Jeremiah 29, 11. It's a very popular verse that really gives us so much hope. For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.

These verses were written to the Israelites in captivity and God wanted them to remember that He was still for them, even though they were in a season where they were in captivity, that that was not the end of the story. He wanted to remind them that I have plans for you. This is not the end of it. And I am still your God. You are still my people. And sometimes I think that we need to

really hold on to that truth that we believe that God has plans for us and that He is giving us a hope and a future. And my friend, you have that hope and future in Christ, no matter what is happening around you. God's plans for us are rooted in His love and His goodness. They're designed to bring us a hope and a future even when we don't understand what's going on right now or what the next step may be.

His plans often are different from our expectations or desires. Have you noticed that? Sometimes God's plan is different from mine, but that doesn't mean it's not a good plan. And they're always for ultimate good and for His glory. Trusting God's plans means surrendering control. And my idea of what things should look like and how things should work out

and believing that he knows what is best, even in seasons of waiting or hardship. Think about Joseph when his brothers sold him into slavery, and years later, after he is a powerful man in Egypt, the brothers have come from a famine, they've come to Egypt to get grain, and he is reunited with them, and they know that they have done such wrong. They have sold him into slavery.

Ginger Harrington (27:52.31)
There's this fear that this powerful man is going to crush them. And he said,

what you planned for evil, God planned for good. And God brought great good out of the hardship and the evil thing that had happened to Joseph and enabled Joseph to be God's man at a pivotal time in history that ultimately brought salvation for the Israelites and kept them from starving in a famine. So there's so many

examples in scripture of God working in the whole of a situation and bringing something that doesn't look good on the surface, doesn't look good in the moment, but bringing it ultimately to something that is good.

Take a moment and write down one area of your life where you're struggling to trust God's plan. Confess it, acknowledge it, and pray about it, and then release it to Him. Ask for faith to trust His goodness. God's plans aren't just good, they're perfect. And even when the journey is uncertain, you can trust that His plans will lead you to a place of hope and a future.

And you know, this was something that happened for me today. I was driving in the car and my thoughts went to my sister. And I have one of those weepy moments that grief sometimes brings of just missing her in that achy place of grief. said, Lord, I still don't understand why you allowed her to die of such a hard disease and die so early in her life.

Ginger Harrington (29:41.292)
but I trust you and I know that you ultimately had her good in mind and that you are doing good things, even in hard things. And so that was, you know, that was just something today that the Lord enabled me to be encouraged by simply affirming this truth. And it is something that keeps us anchored, held fast to hope.

even when our emotions or situations are turbulent and it feels like we're being tossed around by the wind or the waves, hard things. Hang on to hope. Here's another one that is so very important. We have victory in Christ. 1 Corinthians 1557 says, but thanks be to God. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have victory not because we have to win the battle, but because Christ has won the battle for us. And it's easy to forget that. You know, in our first broadcast for this year, Larissa and I were talking about, it's easy to forget that we live from a place of victory rather than fighting for victory in Christ. And when we remember that, then we can rely on Christ.

to bring things together, to help us to stand fast. And we know that ultimately Christ has won the victory over the battle of sin and death, and He's already won that on our behalf. In Christ, we have forgiveness of our sins, we have eternal life, and this victory empowers us to face daily challenges with courage and faith, knowing that the outcome ultimately, eternally, is secure.

You're not fighting for victory. Like I just said, you're fighting from victory, standing in the strength of what Christ has already accomplished. He's done what we can't do. And praise God for that. So my friend, when life feels like a battle, remember the battle is real, but the victory is already won. Christ has won this victory for you. So stand firm in his strength, hold fast to hope.

Ginger Harrington (32:03.672)
as you face challenges in your life. last one is we have eternal hope. Revelation 21, 4 says, he will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away. You know, just a moment ago, I was sharing with you my feelings this afternoon in the car when I just had a moment of grieving my sister.

one of the things that came to mind was, Lord, she is with you. Thank you that I know that she is with you in heaven and that she is no longer bound by this disease that robbed her of her mobility and her life, that you've wiped every tear from her eyes. So this truth, have we seen it fully yet? Not this side of heaven, but we know that we have eternal hope.

The Bible tells us so. Eternal hope reminds us that this life is not the end, that God has prepared an eternal home for us. And when we face matters of life and death, when we're grieving the loss of loved ones, or when we might be facing something that could be a terminal situation, it's really important that we have that hope. It's powerful and it's important and it makes all the difference in eternity.

When life feels overwhelming, let this truth anchor you. God's got good things in store and you have an eternal home in Christ. What would it look like for you to spend some time this week meditating on the promise of eternity? Let it reshape how you view your current struggles. Because here's the thing, friend, eternal hope changes everything. It gives us courage to press on. What would change in your outlook and daily life if you started each day

focusing on a biblical truth that renews your hope. Today we've gone through several that can help us start this year in hope. We're deeply loved by God. You are free from condemnation. You're never alone. You're made for a purpose. God's timing is purposeful. He's going to finish what He started in your life. You have victory in Christ and you have eternal hope in Christ.

Ginger Harrington (34:24.108)
All of these truths are a strong foundation that we can stand on no matter what this year holds. Which of these truths speaks most deeply to your heart right now? Which one really speaks to your life or something that you're experiencing? Hold on to that one particularly. Really ground yourself in that one because here's the thing. Remember the habit of hope. Focus on a biblical truth that renews your hope each day.

We need to be reminded of these things because sometimes life is busy, distracting, difficult, and we need to be reminded of these truths. Write them down, say them, meditate on them, pray about them. This small habit of staying connected and mindful of truths that give you hope, they anchor you in faith and in God's truth no matter what life brings.

So my friend, hope isn't just for the Pollyanna's and the optimists. It's for everyone who chooses to trust in God's promises. No matter where you're starting this year, friend, I want you to know that you're loved and you're not alone and that your hope is secure in Christ. If this episode has encouraged you, I would love for you to share it with a friend who might need hope today. Follow the podcast so that you never miss an episode.

And if you have a moment, leave us a review on Apple. It helps others find us and join this journey of hope. Don't forget to join us for the wellness challenge. It's a simple seven day email series that'll help you kickstart 2025 by focusing on one habit of health each day. Just a great way to get started with your year. As we finish this episode out, I want to share this verse and close it as a prayer.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is Romans 15-13. It's one of my favorite verses. Friend, I hope that all of these truths have just got you really grounded in some good things to be able to step into this year holding onto the hope that only God can give.

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friend. We'll see you next week. Have a great week.