But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Even when we feel abandoned or forgotten, God remains the source of sustainable spiritual and emotional energy. In seasons of tireless waiting, we tend to rely on ourselves, believing we aren’t equipped or strong enough to endure the challenges before us. Yet there’s a profound difference in how we approach hope. Rather than passively wishing, active hope allows us to gain the endurance to persevere.

The three levels of empowerment—soaring, running, and walking—each provide a unique element that fosters our bravery and trust. When we soar, we experience spiritual elevation. When we run, we encounter seasons of high energy and purpose. When we walk, we’re given the opportunity to slowly and persistently develop our faith. Yet when we lean on our own strength, we often rush or force ourselves to reach stages we’re not yet ready for, leading to overwhelm and burnout.

The progression from soaring to walking actually represents the most difficult yet most important kind of strength, because it’s within our human weakness—when we release control and surrender our need to manage everything—that we discover the divine strength dwelling within us. Finding ‘hope in the Lord’ simply means leaning on Him to provide sustainable energy at each stage of empowerment, trusting that He will supply exactly what we need, when we need it, even when we’re unclear about which stage we’re in.