Tiny Habits® From Trauma to FaithSample

We Need You to Hope Again

“Just because someone stumbles, loses their way—it doesn’t mean they’re lost forever. Sometimes we all need a little help. . . . We need you to hope again.” – Professor X (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

Committing to wellness and growth is not saying that what happened to you—that abuse and injustice you’ve experienced—was okay. Of course it wasn’t okay, and nothing will make it right.

Contrary to what many have taught and believed for far too long, trauma recovery has nothing to do with praying the right prayers or doing all the right religious things. Complex trauma affects every part of your body, mind, soul, and spirit. This is why for most of us, praying a prayer, walking an aisle, or even making a heartfelt profession of faith is simply not enough. Soul-care is essential, and though God can bring order to any chaos and healing to every broken place, you and I must be wise, determined, focused, and willing to partner with Him every day if we want to move forward.

Recovery has very little to do with the amount of faith you have; it has everything to do with your acceptance of and commitment to a lifelong healing journey. Jesus was clear when He said that God is not looking for some massive quantity of faith—the seed of true faith is powerful enough, even if it’s the tiniest of all seeds. You have faith—it’s what led you right here to this moment with me.

I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right, and you didn’t deserve it. You will never forget what it feels like to suffer so much—but you can be well. You can find peace and everyday rest for your soul. I know that recovery takes time and is often very hard work, but you must decide that you won’t give up hope. I wonder: How’s your hope these days?

One of my favorite scenes in the movie X-Men: Days of Future Past is when young Charles Xavier travels forward in time fifty years to have a conversation with the older version of himself. Charles’s heart has been completely crushed. He’s overwhelmed by the evil that has claimed the lives of his family, and he’s ashamed of not being strong enough to gain victory over his sorrow. To numb his pain, he’s turned to drugs.

Professor X then gifts him with a glimpse of his future: halls filled with hopeful, encouraged students at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Hundreds of children who were abused, devalued, and abandoned are now safely living in a place where they can learn to discover, control, and use their gifts for good in the world.

Professor X then explains, “Just because someone stumbles, loses their way—it doesn’t mean they’re lost forever. Sometimes we all need a little help. . . . We need you to hope again.”

So here you are. Just as Charles was in the movie, you are facing a pivotal moment in your life, my friend. This is a plot-twist scene in your story: You’ve been given a chance to choose hope again. And the decision you make now will change everything that happens in the next moment. Choose your next thought strategically, and always and only be kind—to others and yourself.

TinyHabit®: Choosing Hope Again

TinyHabits® make it easier to be in the moment (where God is) rather than spinning off into memory or fantasizing about the future (where no one is). One of the ways you can choose and live out hope is to create a simple Tiny Mission Statement based on the future you’re designing one TinyHabit® at a time. Here are some examples:

Creating good TinyHabits® is as easy as A-B-C!

Anchor Moment: I am thankful, therefore . . .

Tiny Behavior: I will leave a note for one of my loved ones that says, “I appreciate you!”

Tiny Celebration: Then I will smile and say a tiny prayer: Thank You, God.

Great job choosing hope today! Please don’t ever give up, because you are so loved!

We adapted this Plan from You Are Worth the Work by Juni Felix. Learn more about this discipleship resource.