A Friday Bonus: Why Hope is Hard

(And Why You Need It Anyway)

In partnership with

Let’s talk about hope. Not the fluffy, feel-good version. Not the ‘just believe and it will all work out’ kind. Real hope. Hard hope. The kind that doesn’t come easy but is worth the fight.

In my new book, The Hope Habit: Daily Rhythms for Transformational Hope in a Broken World (launching April 6), I make a bold claim:

Most people don’t lose hope because they stop believing in God’s goodness. They lose hope because reality doesn’t match their expectations.

We pray. We believe. We hope for a specific outcome. And when things don’t unfold the way we pictured, disillusionment sets in. But what if—just what if—the thing we thought was a disappointment was actually a fulfillment?

The Hard Truth About Hope

Here’s what I know:

• Hope isn’t easy. It requires resilience.

• Hope doesn’t always look the way you expect. (Spoiler: God rarely works the way we want Him to.)

• Hope is a habit—a rhythm, a daily decision, a practice that we cultivate.

That’s what The Hope Habit is all about.

FREE PREVIEW

I’d love for you to check out a FREE PREVIEW of The Hope Habit and let me know what you think!

3 Things Every Pastor and Leader Needs to Know About Hope

If you lead people, you need hope more than anyone else. And if you’re struggling with it right now, you’re not alone. Here are three takeaways from the book that I think will change the way you see hope:

1️⃣ It’s okay if hope is hard.

You’re not broken because you struggle to hope. You’re human. The goal isn’t to manufacture feelings of optimism—it’s to build a foundation that can withstand the storms.

2️⃣ Stay the course, even when it doesn’t make sense.

When the prayers go unanswered (or worse—answered differently than expected), that’s when most people give up. But history tells us that God often works in ways we don’t see until much later. Don’t let frustration pull you off course.

3️⃣ Obedience over outcomes.

This one’s tough, but it’s real. Our job is to follow God, not to control the results. Hope isn’t about getting the answer you want—it’s about trusting the One who holds the future.

Hope That Lasts

Hope isn’t a one-time event. It’s a rhythm. A practice. A habit.

That’s why I wrote The Hope Habit—because leaders need real, resilient, gritty hope. Not the easy kind, but the enduring kind. If you’re leading in today’s world, you need this book. And if you’re walking through disappointment, this book will help you rebuild your hope—one rhythm at a time.

👉 Pre-order your copy today. Let’s build resilient hope together.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR PASTORS: Equip Your Church with The Hope Habit

Pastors, I see you. You’re leading, teaching, and pouring into people week after week. You don’t just need hope—you need a way to equip your church to build resilient, lasting hope too.

That’s why I’ve created something just for you: The Hope Habit Small Group Curriculum (Launching May 2025)—a full resource designed to help you lead your church into a deeper, more resilient faith.

Here’s What You’ll Get (For Free!):

✅ Small Group Curriculum – A step-by-step guide to walk your people through The Hope Habit together.

✅ Sermon Series Outlines – Ready-to-go messages that are customizable to help you preach and teach on real, transformational hope.

✅ Screen Slides & Graphics – Professionally designed visuals to customize for your church.

How Do You Get It?

CLICK HERE to order a case of The Hope Habit (20 copies or more), and I’ll send you the entire resource pack for free—no extra charge.

Why This Matters:

Equip Your Church – Hope isn’t just for individuals; it’s for communities. This series will help your people navigate hard seasons and build real hope.

Save Time – I’ve done the prep work so you can focus on what matters—leading and teaching.

Lead with Confidence – Give your church a framework for developing The Hope Habit as a daily rhythm.

How to Get Started:

📦 Order a case of The Hope Habit (20+ Copies) today. Once you do, I’ll send you everything you need to start your church-wide journey toward hope.

📩 Ready to lead your church into lasting hope? Hit reply or visit [your website link] to get your case and claim your free resources.

Let’s build a community of resilient hopefuls together. 🔥

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