“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17 (NIV)
To resolute or to not resolute, that is the question! I personally gave up on making New Year’s resolutions several years ago. I rarely was able to complete them and that left me feeling like more of a failure than when I started. I now set goals and, at this age, add things to my bucket list.
Last year my friend encouraged me to pick a word for the year. I chose teachable because I was starting this blog, and I had such a learning curve that I knew the majority of my year would be invested in learning new things.
God did teach me a lot this past year, but what I learned was not even close to what I imagined or intended. God had a completely different idea of what He was preparing to teach me. Turns out that 95% of what I would learn had nothing to do with the learning curve of managing a blog.
What He did show me that was related to my blog was His faithfulness. He never failed to meet me each week and spoon feed me my blog post content. He stirred my memories, poured His courage into my spirit, and nursed my heart with words to share. I may still be at square one with my learning curve for blogging and social media, but I’ll never forget His attentiveness and the testimony of His intimate care for me that now fills my heart.
Not a single minute of this life lesson for 2018 has been wasted, but, at times, the cost has been almost unbearable. As I look forward to 2019, I’m not looking forward to the one-year mark of my husband’s passing, but I am looking forward to a new grandson who will join us. I’m not looking forward to another year without my husband, but I am looking forward to celebrating the birthdays, school events, accomplishments, and life markers for my sons, their beautiful wives, and their babies.
Peeking into 2019 can seem pretty intimidating, so I’m going to start with a small task, which is to choose my word for the year ahead. I’m stuck between choosing the word faith or the word breathe.
I’m thinking breathe, because I need to recline in the lap of the Lord a little while longer, take the time to breathe deeply, and simply enjoy His presence. I’ve leaned heavily on Him for the past 10 months as I’ve dealt with pain, questions, confusion, and feeling overwhelmed. In 2019 I simply want to enjoy His presence.
I’m considering the word faith, because my biggest struggle at the moment is taking authority over fear that is relentless in its effort to consume my truth. Unintentional as it was, I had not stopped to consider the value of my husband’s presence and how much confidence it gave me. I had become accustomed to his presence and it comforted me. I feel vulnerable without him. Growing into my new normal is tinged with fearful moments and questions. I want to focus on what it means to have faith and to walk by faith, not by sight or, in other words, not by fear.
With 2018 in the rearview and 2019 staring us in the face, we’re poised to wipe the slate clean and start over. Can you feel the hope of promise ahead? Do you believe the possibilities are endless? Can you sense that adventures await your yes?
What does the beginning of a new year mean to you? What are you taking with you into 2019 and what are you leaving behind? Do you wish for a do-over with someone or maybe another shot at that 2018 goal? What is your plan to set yourself up for success for the new year ahead?
As good as a new slate feels, we don’t have to wait until the end of each year to experience the hope and promise of a new adventure or a second chance. With Christ a new beginning is as close as your next breath.
The God of the Holy Bible is the God of second chances. Third, fourth and fifth chances if need be. His specialty is new beginnings. He keeps no record of wrongs and, when we take responsibility for our actions and confess our sins to Him, He throws our sins into a place that is as far as the east is from the west. His Fatherly heart wants only to show His love through His instruction, protection, provision, etc.
As you step into 2019, start with these truths: No matter what it looks like and no matter what it feels like the truth is God is for you, He is on your side. He is not mad at you. You are the apple of His eye. He wants to love on you, and He will never leave you.
NOW LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
Self-reflection
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take the truths you discover about yourself and hold them up to the Light to evaluate them against who God says you are.
- What do you love about the beginning of a new year?
- What makes you fearful about the beginning of a new year?
- Do you take advantage of being able to start over throughout the year or does it just not feel the same?
- Would it be hard to accept that Christ allows do-overs as many times as possible? If so, why?
- Is it too “good to be true” to believe that when we confess our sins to Jesus that He will never use them against us ever again? If so, why?
- What is your word for the year?
- What is your scripture for the year?
Use God’s word to take control over traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts, take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises found in His word.
Print, then cut and carry this Scripture with you and/or post it in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Here is what God’s word says to encourage you and to give you an example of His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17 (NIV)
When you read God’s Word say to yourself: God didn’t send Jesus to help perfect people, He sent His Son to find the imperfect people. Jesus came to save me, to offer me a different way other than death and destruction. He came to bring life here and now as well as for eternity. Jesus perfectly loves the imperfect.
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
