Day 1: Hope Isn’t Built on Emotion – It’s Cultivated Through Devotion
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
Reflection:
Hope is not a fleeting feeling or wishful thinking. True, biblical hope is rooted in God’s
unchanging character and promises. Elijah had just witnessed God’s power on Mount Carmel, yet soon
after, he spiralled into despair. Why? Because emotions are unreliable foundations for lasting
hope. What we need is devotion—habits that anchor us to God daily, especially when emotions run
wild.
Quote to Reflect On:
“Hope isn’t something you look for. Hope is something you create.”
Hope Habit:
Start each day by anchoring your mind in Scripture. Choose a verse of hope and speak it out loud
before reaching for your phone.
Prayer:
God, help me to build habits that anchor me in Your truth, not in my emotions. Teach me to
live from devotion, not desperation.
Day 2: Get Up and Eat – Physical Habits that Fuel Spiritual Strength
“‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.’ So he got up and ate and drank.
Strengthened by that food, he travelled forty days and forty nights…” 1 Kings 19:7-8
Reflection:
Elijah was ready to give up. But God didn’t start with a sermon—He started with a meal. Sometimes
the most spiritual thing we can do is rest, eat, move, avoid negativity. Are you sleeping well?
Nourishing your body? Moving your body? Avoiding negative people, negative news etc. Habits can
often be the first spark of restored hope.
Hope Habit:
Rebuild your daily rhythm:
• Prioritize sleep
• Choose nourishing meals
• Walk or move your body today
• Stop exposing yourself to negative things.
Quote to Reflect On:
“Order and discipline are the scaffolding upon which hope is rebuilt.” – Dr. Curt Thompson
Prayer:
Lord, show me where I’ve neglected the simple disciplines of caring for my body. Give me the wisdom
to replenish what’s been depleted.
Day 3: Stand in the Presence – Finding God in Your Cave
“‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’” 1 Kings 19:11
Reflection:
Elijah had crawled into a cave, isolated and listening only to his own echo. But God called him
out—to stand in His presence. When despair isolates us, we need to re-position ourselves to hear
God’s whisper. Church, worship, community, and silence with God—these are not optional extras but
sacred spaces where hope is rekindled.
Quote to Reflect On:
“You cannot outrun God’s grace.”
Hope Habit:
Create space for presence. Set aside 10–15 minutes today to simply sit in God’s presence— no
requests, just awareness. Attend a church gathering this week.
“In your presence there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11
Prayer:
God, pull me out of the cave of my own voice. I want to encounter You again. Speak, Lord— Your
servant is listening.
Day 4: Go Back the Way You Came – Rediscovering Purpose
“The Lord said to him, ‘Go back the way you came…’” 1 Kings 19:15
Reflection:
When hope dries up, the temptation is to pull back, to shrink our world, to numb the pain. But God
tells Elijah to go back. Back to his assignment. Back to people. Back to purpose.
Purpose takes our eyes off our pain and points them forward. Retreat doesn’t heal despair.
Re-engaging does.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18
Hope Habit:
Re-engage in something God once called you to do—serve, build, encourage, give. Even a small step
in purpose revives hope.
Quote to Reflect On:
“Purpose pulls us out of the pit. It tells us our story isn’t over yet.”
Prayer:
Father, reawaken my sense of purpose. Help me to see that You still have more for me to do—and that
my life matters in Your story.
Day 5: The Journey Is Long – But Hope Is Built Along the Way
“Strengthened by that food, he travelled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the
mountain of God.” 1 Kings 19:8
Reflection:
Hope doesn’t happen in a moment. The journey to renewed hope often feels long—and that’s okay.
Elijah’s 40-day trek echoes the journeys of Noah, Moses, and Jesus. These were not quick fixes but
formative seasons. Hope is built in the walking, not just the arriving.
Biblical Pattern of 40:
• Noah – 40 days: cleansing
• Israel – 40 years: testing
• Jesus – 40 days: preparation
• Elijah – 40 days: restoration
Hope Habit:
Be patient with your process. Journal where you were one month ago and where God is leading you.
Don’t measure in days—measure in direction.
Quote to Reflect On:
“God is not in a hurry, but He is always on time.”
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that You are walking with me. Give me endurance for the journey. Teach
me to trust that You’re building something in me that will last.