Simplicity Relished

minimalism for the adventurous heart

On Borrowing Hope

I met up with some new friends this weekend, and somehow the topic of “borrowing hope” came up. It’s nothing complicated– simply the idea that when one is low on hope, hope can be borrowed from one’s friends and community. Others who experience more hope can share that hope with those who are downcast.

Hope has been on my mind lately. On a global level, I can say we live in an incredible world, but it is also a world that is broken by violence. Whatever hope we have in this world must lie beyond what we see right before us. And on a personal level, my efforts to simplify my life are reminders of where my hope is. My hope is not in my things and my distractions.

On Borrowing Hope

Hope can be such an easy thing to lose. Unmet expectations in one circumstance do not bode well for expectations in other circumstances. There are people who are laden with disappointment and loss. Hope is not easy to hold onto when situations are less than ideal.

What we all need is strong, sturdy hope that is rooted in truth.

So, the idea of “borrowing hope” really intrigued me. Can someone have so much hope, as to be able to lend it to someone in need?

I think it’s possible. And I think we lend out our hope whenever we comfort others, encourage them, teach them, advise them, pray for them, and bless them. The idea that we are called to let others borrow our hope is an incredible way to understand the people that I interact with everyday.

Is there someone who needs to borrow hope from me? How can I contribute to restoring their hope? How have others restored my hope?

The Lamenter’s words came to mind as I pondered these things.

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.

Lending hope is saying, “You don’t believe right now, but I do. I believe. So just believe in me, and I will believe for you until you believe again.”

Have you ever borrowed hope? What do you call to mind when you’re seeking to find hope? Who will you lend your hope to this week?

Hey! I’d love to grab coffee with you. But for now…

Get my weekly letters and free ebook on courage.

* indicates required

  • I love this Daisy! Oh the times during the this season of struggling to conceive that I have “borrowed hope.” Times when it didn’t feel like I could believe for one more month and someone called or texted or hugged at just the right time. I can only pray that somewhere in the midst of it all I have got to lend some too. Thanks for the beautiful perspective.

    • Thanks sweet friend! yes we all have borrowed hope from others… and I’m sure you’ve lent hope as well, without even realizing it! 🙂

  • Absolutely adore this. I’ve actually been quite sick on and off this winter (badly so in the past couple of weeks – hence why I haven’t been around much!) and it’s been so incredibly frustrating and… Just a total downer. Posts like this, YOUR posts, always help to put things in perspective and lift my spirits. Thank you.

    K.xo
    http://www.rarelytakenseriously.com

  • love the idea of this! i’m trying to be more positive lately and being hopeful is definitely part of that. i’d love to be someone who has hope to spare and lend out 🙂

  • This is an interesting idea! I’ve never really thought about it before, but I think for me, I always try to remain positive and upbeat when I’m around downcast people. I think positivity rubs off and that there is peace in knowing that someone believes and trusts in good things. 🙂

  • What a beautiful post lady. Thank you for sharing!

    xo

    Michaela

    http://michaelajeanblog.com

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/MichaelaJeanArt

  • I love this idea of borrowing hope. it’s such an easy and simple concept. it’s a little bit like paying it forward, isn’t it. doing something for someone without expecting anything in return, HOPING that that someone will do the same for someone else in the future.

    • Thank you Petra! You’re so right– we really do give and borrow hope through various seasons of our lives. I really appreciate you stopping by 🙂

  • I like this idea of “borrowing hope.” (And this was so well-written!) It makes me think of how we are called to share each other’s burdens. I imagine a friend or loved one saying, “Give me some of your burden to bear and in exchange, I’ll give you some of my hope to hold on to.” I know that I have borrowed hope multiple times in the past when I felt down or lost and it’s through the hope of family and friends, as well as through their prayers for me that I have found healing and growth.

    • Thank you so much Monica. And that’s exactly it– exchanging burdens for hope, and holding each other up through times of need. Prayer is such a great restorer of hope too. Thanks for reading! 🙂

  • To be honest, I’ve never thought about borrowing hope before, at least not in those terms – but I think that this is such a powerful concept. Community can be so enriching. I used to not value the impact of community but in hindsight, that was simply because I hadn’t found my tribe – the people I was spending time with were nothing like me, had a completely opposite mindset and weren’t fulfilling that part of me that wanted to embrace community. Perhaps I’m strange but I consider my tribe to be comprised of mainly the amazing women that I’ve met (such as you Daisy!) through writing – some of these women live semi close to me and others are halfway around the world. But I’ve come to realise that geographical distance doesn’t have to be a barrier! Thinking about it now, I borrow hope from these women all the time, and they do from me, too. Thank you for giving this concept a word!

    xx Anastasia // http://www.anastasiaamour.com

    • That’s exactly what it is!! I’m so glad you can relate to this idea, because it’s so much of what has made blogging worthwhile, and helped me to connect with incredible women– as you said– all over the world. Thanks for sharing YOUR hope with so many. <3

  • I’d never thought of the concept of “borrowing hope” in those exact words, but now that I think about it, it’s something I’ve done on many occasions. I suppose it’s just another example of why community is so crucial… it gives us a place to both lend, and borrow from one another. Thanks for the post, Daisy. Beautiful as always. 🙂

    • Thanks Lauren. I was really struck by the phrase too when I heard it! And exactly– community can bring together a wealth of hope from which to draw. I hope you’re doing well, friend!

  • Thank you so much for sharing. Community is so important and this just opened me up to one more reason why 🙂

  • I always enjoy your posts so much Daisy! Thank you so much for sharing this, I definitely love this idea of borrowed hope.

    XO,
    Emily
    http://Www.idodeclareblog.com

  • Gina Detweiler

    What a great way to look at hope. I’m speaking about hope at a ladies retreat next month, maybe I could borrow your phrase if you don’t mind. 🙂

  • I’ve never thought about hope in this way before, and I just love it. As I reflect on the darker moments of my life and see how God has provided people to support me, I see that I truly was borrowing hope from them when I was too weak to hope for myself. I feel like I’m in a particularly sunny season right now, so I’m going to focus on who I can lend some hope to today. Also, are you by chance doing the She Reads Truth Lent study? 🙂

    • Thank you Brittany!! And yes I’m doing the SRT study for Lent! It’s been really great. I honestly wish there were more scripture each day, but it’s helped me to meditate on little chunks. I’ve loved it! How about you??

      • I’m loving it too! It’s the first time I’ve done an SRT study/reading plan, and I’m totally hooked. It gives me focus and direction each morning instead of flipping through the pages of my Bible trying to decide what to read. I agree, I kind of wish it had more Scripture and more of a “study” feel, but I’m really enjoying it. 🙂

  • There are days I desperately need hope. For some reason I let myself feel defeated every so often. It doesn’t happen but every once in a great while, but when it does it hits hard. Ironically when I need reminding I search spiritual quotes or even talk to an older gentleman I work with. He’s one of those started from the bottom people and really gives me insight on life. He literally had nothing and now he lives in a mansion. Plus he makes me laugh. I think the best way to give hope is through advice and to just listen when people need it. (:
    http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com

    • (I thought I responded but my comment hasn’t shown up, so sorry if this is a repeat!) I totally feel what you’re saying here, Kiki. I am often flooded with hope when someone gives me sound advice and a listening ear. I hope you continue to find that in your moments of need!

      • Thank you so much Daisy. Your kindness really impacts. (:

  • What a beautiful, inspiring post. You’re leaving me speechless! 🙂

  • Tiffany Ingram

    What a strong and cool concept. I think everyone could use a little extra hope. <3

    http://www.sunshinedaydreamphotography.com

  • chelsea

    Lending hope is saying, “You don’t believe right now, but I do. I believe. So just believe in me, and I will believe for you until you believe again.”

    This is beautiful.

  • I definitely think that hope can be given and shared! I’ve borrowed hope from my Hubby at times, and shared hope with him as well. I think hope and believing that all things are possible can really help to create a positive mindset and help us achieve our goals and be more content all around. Very thought-provoking post, Daisy!

    • Thanks Christina! And yes– I’ve definitely borrowed hope from my husband too. He’s helped me reconsider what I’m feeling and thinking!

  • I totally agree with every word you said. It is actually a nice concept to borrow hope…and I think it is even more rewarding to be the one who is giving the hope, who is encourage others.

    X

    Miri

    http://currentlywearing.com

Grab A Button

Simplicity Relished
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.simplicityrelished.com" title="Simplicity Relished"><img src="http://simplicityrelished.com/wp-content/easy-cache/others/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/200x200_Button.jpg" alt="Simplicity Relished" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Archives

THANK YOU FOR VISITING SIMPLICITY RELISHED.

Disclaimer: Simplicity Relished is a for profit blog. Any company that I collaborate with is chosen by me and chosen because they fit the theme and readership of my blog. Copyright: If you see something you like here, please be encouraged to share it along with a link back to my site. All of the images and content here, unless otherwise noted or linked, is my own original work.