Hope Restored: Seeing Your Life Through God's Eyes
A new year often brings fresh goals and renewed determination. But as I began thinking about the year ahead, my goals and dreams, I also found myself reflecting on the years when hope felt far away—when I questioned my worth, my purpose, and whether it was even worth dreaming at all.
Maybe you’ve been there, too.
Maybe you’ve wondered:
“Is it even worth having big dreams?”
“Is there hope for people like me?”
“Do I matter?”
If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone.
Recently, I came across a post by Lysa TerKeurst that put words to what so many of us face:
“What name has Satan tried to label you with? Unwanted? Unlovely? Unneeded? Completely and utterly hopeless?
Satan is a liar and a thief. He wants to steal your joy, your hope, your peace—and especially your identity in Christ.
God is the One who has the right to define us. And He says we are chosen. He says we are cherished. He says we are His children, holy and dearly loved.”
Those words hit close to home for me.
I’ve wrestled with those labels—the ones the enemy whispers when I’m feeling down. Labels that made me feel stuck, unable to move forward into the person God created me to be. In those moments, all I could see were the lies… not the truth God was speaking over me.
But something changed when I began to see myself through His eyes.
When I remembered who I was because of God, hope returned. I realized that the strength to live out His purpose didn’t come from me working harder—it came from letting Him work through me.
Major Ian Thomas, whose writings and teachings shaped my walk with Jesus when I was just 18, said it beautifully:
“God never intended that you should live for Him. He always intended that He should live His life through you....
Christianity is not a self‑improvement program; it is a Christ‑in‑you program.”
For so long, I exhausted myself trying to be “good enough” — trying to meet everyone’s expectations, trying to earn the approval I already had in Christ. Eventually, those lies crept back in, whispering that I was unworthy, unwanted, not enough.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
But when I began embracing the truth of who God created me to be—loved, accepted, forgiven, His child, His workmanship—the lies lost their power. My focus shifted from who I wasn’t to who He says I am.
Because of Him, I have hope. Because He lives in me, He works through me. I don’t have to carry the weight alone.
Do the lies still try to creep in? Yes. But when I spend time in His Word… when I sit with Him and listen… He reminds me again of His goodness and overwhelms me with His hope.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for creating me with purpose and love.
Thank You for forming me with Your hands and calling me by name.
Forgive me for the times I listen to fear, doubt, and lies
instead of listening to Your truth.
Help me remember that I belong to You,
that I am redeemed, chosen, and deeply loved.
Lord, teach me who You created me to be.
Not who the world says I am.
Not who my past says I am.
But who You say I am.
When I feel uncertain or afraid,
remind me that You have ransomed me
and that I am Yours.
Let my identity in You be my strength,
my confidence, and my hope.
Thank You that knowing You
and knowing who I am in You
changes everything.
I place my life in Your hands again today.
Shape me, lead me, and use me for Your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Prayer inspired by Isaiah 43:1; John 1:12; Romans 8:15–16; and 1 John 3:1.
