Holding on to Hope in the Midst of Winter's Darkness - 10 Practical Ways to Restore Light
- Cindy
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
In the darkness of winter, we may find our minds feeling heavy too. For many, this season is a reminder of loss, struggle, and the difficult things the year has delivered. I was reminded yesterday that it is okay to mourn, grieve, and feel sadness. The only way to move through those feelings in a healthy way is to allow yourself to feel them, talk with someone you trust, have a good cry, and eventually notice the weight of those emotions begin to dissipate.
It’s amazing how much heaviness our bodies can store when we stuff emotions inside instead of expressing them. We either end up hurting physically or our words and actions start going sideways until we slide into a ditch.
Surrendering Struggles
There are circumstances every day that we cannot control or change. Yet when we hold onto them and try to make them different, it’s like trying to nail jello to a tree—it simply doesn’t take hold. The only thing that works is surrendering our struggles to something larger than ourselves. That is where hope is found.
When we release our pain and emotions, hope and joy rise to the surface. We are reminded of the lighter side of life—the fun, joy, laughter, and the memories already made, along with those still to come. As we focus on the good things, and on what the hard things can teach us, our minds are restored to a more hopeful state where peace can return.
The Lord’s Eternal Light
The Lord desires us to have hope even in the depths of despair. His light shines eternally, drawing us nearer to Him, reminding us that His plans are always higher and better than ours.
Our hope, then, is not that our circumstances will change exactly as we would like. Rather, hope is trusting that things will run their course and turn out exactly as our Lord designed them to. This mindset leads us into acceptance and belief in a purpose far greater than our eyes can see.
Practical Ways to Restore Light
When the darkness sets in, here are gentle practices to help restore hope:
Pray and ask God for His help each morning, or in any moment when the weight feels unbearable.
Call a friend or family member.
Walk in nature—this is a personal favorite of mine. I can walk the sadness away.
Bake something for family or friends.
Warm yourself with a favorite beverage and wrap your chilly hands around it.
Prepare a nourishing meal for yourself.
Rest by giving yourself permission to take a nap.
Serve others by offering your time and attention to those in need.
Feel your emotions bravely and receive the gift of lightness as your mind and body return to balance (stop stuffing what needs to come out).
Reach out for professional help—that is the reason it exists. Sometimes friends and family are too close to the situation.
A Gentle Invitation
If this article resonated with you, please share it with others. And know that as a life coach, I am always willing to listen and process things with my two grace‑filled, listening ears! If you'd like to process things with someone objective and encouraging, you are welcome to book a complimentary session by visiting my website: www.graceu-lifecoaching.com.
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With grace and gratitude,
Cindy
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