This expression has been around for years, but I just heard it from a good friend describing his own life journey. The strange truth is that the story of our weakness, failure, and pain often becomes a gift we can offer that brings hope to others.

So identify: What is one mess that has played a prominent role in your life? Make the decision that you will not make “hide the mess” your primary life goal. Think about people you know who may have suffered in a similar way. How might you tell your story to another person—perhaps someone who has gone through a similar hardship—in a way that could be helpful to them? Perhaps you want to write a brief description of it so that you will be prepared to share it when the time is right.

Which part of the statement “Keep coming back. It works if you work it” most challenges you? Think about that, identify why, and pray for help with over- coming it.

Whether you’re in a peak or a trough, spend time thinking about which message you most need right now.

Remember: it’s temporary.

1. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.

2. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

3. We will comprehend the word serenity.

4. We will know peace.

5. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

6. The feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

7. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

8. Self-seeking will slip away.

9. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

10. Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us.

11. We will intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle us.

12. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Which of these promises makes your heart beat faster? Which of these promises do you find yourself most desiring to be fulfilled in your own life? Identify any barriers you can think of that would prevent this promise from being realized. Ask God to help you move toward its reality, and take any actionable steps that come to mind.

The promises remind us that we were made for hope and cannot live without it. It is particularly important for us to have hope at the beginning of each day. So this is a five-second habit that you can incorporate into your life that can make a significant impact.4

When you wake up in the morning and your feet hit the ground, let your first words be “This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”