How One Simple Practice Helped Me Reclaim My Faith in Grief
Declaring Hope When Everything Feels Lost
In my last post, I talked about how hard it is to hold on to hope—especially if you’ve lived through depression or deep loss. I mentioned a practice from Hope for the Hurting Heart by Linda Dillow that stopped me in my tracks: the idea of writing a “Declaration of Hope”.
It’s one of the “Heart Skills” in the book—small but powerful actions that help re-anchor your faith when grief has shaken everything loose.
Honestly, I didn’t expect it to do much. But then I started writing. And I cried. And something in me shifted.
What Is a Declaration of Hope?
Linda Dillow introduces this concept through the story of the prophet Jeremiah. In Lamentations 3, after nearly two full chapters of weeping and despair, Jeremiah makes a radical turn—not because his circumstances changed, but because his focus did.
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness…”
— Lamentations 3:21–23
Jeremiah didn’t feel better. He just remembered truth. He chose to declare hope.
That’s what this practice is about. A Declaration of Hope is a personal statement of trust in God—spoken or written—even when you don’t feel it. It’s an acknowledgment that your circumstances may not change, but your focus can. And that shift can open the door to healing.
My Experience: Tears, Wrestling, and a Choice
When I sat down to write my own Declaration of Hope, it wasn’t easy. I had to name some things I’ve been trying not to name: grief I haven’t fully processed, doubts I wish weren’t there, weariness that doesn’t go away.
But slowly, as I shaped my words, I found something surprising. I wasn’t trying to fix my pain. I was learning to stand with it—and still say, “I trust You, God. Even now.”
Here’s what I wrote:
Julie’s Declaration of Hope
When I doubt God’s love in the midst of my emptiness,
I will remember that Jesus never promised a life without sorrow—
but He did promise His presence.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
🎵 “In the Eye of the Storm” – Ryan Stevenson
When I feel alone—unseen, unheard, unnoticed—
I will remember the tender nearness of God to those who suffer.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
🎵 “If You Want Me To” – Ginny Owens
When the ache of grief threatens to smother my hope,
I will hold fast to the faithfulness of God in my past and believe He will not fail me in the future.
“Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends!” — Lamentations 3:21–23
🎵 “Goodness of God” – CeCe Winans
When I cannot make sense of the pain,
I will trust that God sees the whole story—
and that one day, I will too.
“Now we see in a mirror dimly… then we shall see face to face.” — 1 Corinthians 13:12
🎵 “Give Me Jesus” – Fernando Ortega
Until then, I will wait with hope.
I will cling to the truth that I am never alone, never forgotten, never forsaken.
I will choose to believe in the goodness of God,
even when the storm surrounds me.
I will declare His faithfulness with every breath I have left.
🎵 “Good, Good Father” – Chris Tomlin
Want to Write Your Own?
It doesn’t have to be poetic. It doesn’t have to be long. It just needs to be honest.
Here are a few prompts to get you started:
- When I feel __________, I will remember __________.
- Even though __________, I will choose to believe __________.
- I declare that God is __________, even if __________.
You can include songs, scriptures, art, or even photos that help anchor your declaration.
Next time, I’ll share why creativity—like writing, art, or music—can be a powerful tool for healing and rewiring the brain for hope.
Reflection Prompt
- What do you want to believe about God in the middle of your pain?
- Can you write a line or two that reminds you of that truth when hope feels out of reach?
You’re not alone. If you desire to connect with others who are finding hope in the midst of grief, join us. In the North Dallas/Collin County area, we offer a ten-week workshop called Rebuild: Finding Hope After Loss. New groups begin September 8th. Many areas also offer GriefShare, an international, faith-based organization with a structured thirteen-week program—available both in-person and online—to help individuals navigate grief after the loss of a loved one.
jthomas
Julie Thomas has a degree in secondary education from Baylor University. She taught and coached for nine years at the secondary level before serving 30 years for Real Options, a pregnancy clinic in Allen, Texas. Her passion is equipping volunteers to talk with women dealing with an unplanned pregnancies. Julie has been married to Marcus for 30+ years, and they have four children: Rachael, Robin, Sara, and Bryan. In 2017, Julie’s life changed forever when she lost her 16-year-old son. Learning to deal with loss in Julie’s life led her to begin a grief ministry, become a certificate in Mental Health Coaching with an understanding of Grief and Loss. REBUILD, Finding Hope After Loss was written by Willow Creek Church in Chicago.
