100 Reasons to Be Hopeful

The days were long and lonely even though I was surrounded by family

The nights were dark and dreary even though I had a snoring sleeping husband next to me

My thoughts were on high alert

Fear gripped my heart anytime I closed my eyes

Sadness stared at me in the face anytime I opened my eyes

I had to escape when the grief hit me one quiet summer day on June 6th, 2020.

We all know what the highlight global tragedy was in 2020

I was battling my own silent tragedy

The loss of an earthly father that left a deep wide hole in my heart

This hole was not about the absence of fatherly love but the presence of unanswered questions

This hole was not about the absence of fatherly provision but the presence of the reality that what I once wished for - a father's affirmation and affection - would never be something I would experience.

This hole was not about the absence of fatherly direction but the presence of the unknown journey of rediscovering who I truly was.

My kids comforted me with intermittent innocent questions

My friends stopped by with smiles and meals

My husband loved me through flowers and hugs

Still the eyes told much of the story...

I was was burdened...my soul was tired

So on that day, after the flower was given and the innocent questions answered, I crawled up our long staircase all the way up the third floor into my closet. I closed the day and with the strength mustered up from the depths of my soul, I penned what would be my lifesaver from a spiraled mind dying to be seen, known, and accepted.

Today, I get to share with you dear sister, an example of the work I did with the Holy Spirit, to heal from MDD - Major Depressive Disorder. Key phrase "the work I did with the Holy Spirit" and I believe that whatever struggle your mind and heart, you can overcome it too. After all, the child of God is an overcomer -1 John 5:4-5.

All of the 100 reasons are Scriptural based. For each reason that rests on your heart, my encouragement in doing the work is to find the biblical Scripture that corresponds to it. This is the beginning of you doing the work. If you need help, you know where to find me :-)

1. I have the mind of Christ.

2. I am led by the Spirit of God which makes me a child of God.

3. I am more than a conqueror.

4. Goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life.

5. I shall fear no evil for the Lord is always with me.

6. I keep in-step with the Holy Spirit and so I will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

7. The joy of the Lord is my strength.

8. God blesses my going out and blesses my coming in.

9. God is faithful to me and He is also just.

10. I am comforted by God’s rod and staff.

11. When I ask God for what I need, the Lord exceeds it with wants I didn’t even ask for. I am blessed exceedingly and abundantly.

12. The Lord disciplines me because He loves me. His corrections grow me into the image of Christ. 

13. I abound [have everything I need and plenty left over to share with others] as God blesses me with good things. 

14. I don’t live by bread alone but by the living word of God, by the Springs of life

15. I serve from the heart and love freely. The more I allow God to sit in my heart, the more He creates in me a new image to love and to give.

16. My womb is blessed with beautiful children. 

17. I know God; if I love others, then I am born of God and His Spirit dwells in me. 

18. My mind is constantly being renewed on God’s word.

19. The Lord creates in me a pure heart.

20. I put my hope in God, the author and finisher of my faith.

21. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

22. I am blessed so I can be a blessing to others. 

23. I am loved so I can love others. 

24. I am healed so I can help others heal. 

25. My heart is FREE.

26. My mind is set on things above. 

27. I have tasted and seen the goodness of God. God delivers on time. 

28. My God is the same yesterday, today and forever more.

29. I am strengthened to will and to obey. 

30. I have the joy of the Lord.

31. I no longer carry the yoke of slavery. 

32. I will remain hopeful of all the good things to come. 

33. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. 

34. I take refuge in the Lord.

35. God has promised good to me. 

36. When I awake, God is with me. When I lay down, God is with me.

37. I am free to take rest in the Lord. He sets my mind free. 

38. There is an invitation for me to dine with the Lord everyday. 

39. I do my work with excellence. 

40. God has chosen me for His good work. 

41. God silences my enemies by His unfailing love. 

42. God teaches me to do His will. 

43. Jesus lives in me so I will also live.

44. I seek the face of God.

45. I seek God’s heart and He blesses me with His right hand. 

46. God never forsakes nor leaves me.

47. God is my Ebenezer. The Lord helps me by grace through faith. 

48. I know God’s will for my life. 

49. God is my Helper. I will not stop crying out to Him for help. 

50. I believe. I believe. I believe.

    
    

    

     

51. The Lord is close to me when my heart is broken and when my heart is joyful. 

52. The Lord is my ever present help. 

53. I take refuge in the Lord and I am safe. 

54. I am protected by God in all I do. 

55. I see the beauty of the Lord all around me. 

56. I get to experience the love of Christ everyday. 

57. I get to decrease so the Lord can increase.

58. It is a joy to say “less of me and more of he who lives within me”

59. God disciplines those He loves; I am a beloved daughter of the Most High King.

60. No matter the trials I face, I choose to count it all joy as I grow in Christ. 

61. I am seen and known by my Heavenly Father. 

62. I think about things above, not about things of this world.

63. I believe in God the Father and also Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

64. When I experience faith in action, my patience to wait on the Lord produces works that are only of His hands. 

65. I have an inheritance that no one can take from me. 

66. It is a privilege to have conversations with the Lord. 

67. I give God all glory and praise. 

68. I anticipate God’s goodness and faithfulness. 

69. I allow myself to be led by the Spirit of God. 

70. I think of Jesus as the Way and He teaches me how to live a godly life.

71. I forgive myself. 

72. I forgive all who have hurt me in any way. 

73. I love and I forgive. 

74. I allow others to love me. 

75. I see God’s good works through my friends and family. 

76. I get to choose my friends and I also get to choose my family. 

77. God interrupts my plans simply to make them better and make me better. 

78. I think of any hardship or trial as discipline with countless lessons. 

79. God invites me to commune with him daily. 

80. I will be still and know that God is God.

81. I will not be afraid of the terror by night or arrows of the day. I have God in me. 

82. I believe that in “a little while”, God’s glory will be evident in my life. 

83. God’s encouragement of truth shows up right on time, everytime in my life. 

84. I am the righteousness of God. 

85. God is greater than anything I face - my fears, my worries, my doubts, my challenges, my disappointments, my needs, my wants, my anxieties, my depression, my enemies!

86. I allow the Holy Spirit to govern my mind.

87. I am loved by others through words, actions, time and attention. 

88. I know other people appreciate and value my gifts. 

89. I work on things that fill my spirit and what God has purposed for my life. 

90. God comforts me so I am able to comfort others. 

91. God forgives me so I understand His grace and can forgive others. 

92. In the valley of Baca, my strength is renewed. 

93. I believe God answers all prayers in His time. 

94. God’s blessings are new every morning. 

95. What God speaks, He does. His word never returns void. 

96. In time, God delivers me from my enemies. 

97. The battle and my suffering belongs to the Lord; He will cease all my troubles and give me pleasures forever more. 

98. Jesus is near to me, my best friend, my confidant, my ever present in times of trouble. 

99. God’s love surrounds me and gives me hope.

100. My heart belongs to the Lord, in Him there is fullness of Joy.

Dear Sister, celebrating 100 podcast episodes in this way has been an honor. No pump and circumstance, just a quiet silent reflection of how Jesus pulled me out of one of the darkest days of my life. I believe there is so much you can discover about your heart with the Lord. And if you choose to start your journey, my ministry Godly Woman & Company is commissioned to help you. Whatever you do, do not give up on yourself.

Your purpose is too great

Your calling is too broad

Your victory is too precious

...to not go for gold!

You have 100 reasons to be encouraged.

Start today, stay for a lifetime.

I love you,

Kate