01/02/2024
This time of year is when we all reflect on the past year; what we accomplished and didn't accomplish. I'm sure most of us reflect more on the didn't than the did. We then spend the last night of the year making resolutions and goals to start the first day of the new year. Some people are very successful in keeping their goals all year long. Some make it a few weeks, maybe a few months, and then they fall off the wagon. The rest of us? Well....we like the idea of the goals and resolutions. We make the lists knowing full well we ain't going to do a darn thing on it. (Who's with me on this?! 🙋♀️🤣).
I used to be a part of a mentoring group for several years that at the end of the month and year, we would post our successes for that month/year. We were encouraged to do it with pic collages so we could visibly see what all we accomplished. This was to teach us to focus on what we DID rather than what we DIDNT do. While I'm not longer a part of that group and I don't do the monthly and yearly successes with pics anymore or post about it, I still look back from time to time, and reflect on all the things I did do that month or year and try to reflect on the did and not get down about the didn't.
Too many times, we are so hard and down on ourselves. We get upset at the didn't, and don't take time to celebrate the did. So you had a goal to lose 50 pounds for the year and you only lost 20 pounds? So instead of being upset that you didn't meet your goal, celebrate those 20 pounds!! Girl....you worked hard and earned it!! And do you know what 20 pounds even looks like? Heck, a pound even? Seriously. Google it. It will change your perspective!
So as you reflect on 2023, and prepare for 2024, I want to encourage you to approach it in a biblical sense. Did you know that God cares about our goals and the things we want to succeed in our personal life, as well as our spiritual life? When you're a believer, they are one in the same. But, God wants us to succeed at life in general, not just in our spiritual journey.
So, here are ways you can Biblically reflect on the past year & look ahead to the new year:
Reflect on Last Year (2023):
1. Identify 3-5 things that happened this past year that you're thankful for.
2. List 3-5 successes/goals that you accomplished and are proud of.
3. Identify 3 prayers that God answered.
Don't focus on the bad things that happened. Let those be lessons learned, tests that strengthened your faith & brought you closer to God. Thank God for bringing you through those trials. Reflect on the good things that happened. Reflect on the goals achieved & not just the ones you didn't accomplish. Take those successes and be proud of them and the hard work you put into them! You earned it! Thank God for His many blessings He gave you this past year.
Look Ahead to the New Year:
1. Start with Gratitude:
-list 3 things you're grateful for in this very moment.
2. Identify Your Prayers for the New Year:
health, finances, family/.marriage, job, etc.
3. List Your Goals for the New Year:
- what do you want to accomplish- both personal & spiritual? Do you have health goals? A financial plan? What are your spiritual goals? Do you want to read the Bible in a year? Volunteer at church? Make a list of goals and a plan to work at accomplishing those goals this year.
Rest in God's love for you. Know that no matter what, good or bad, He is always there for you. He will always lead & guide you & uphold you & protect you. Keep your faith & trust on Him & keep Him the center of your life and all that you do this coming year.
Here are some verses to reflect on as you go about writing your reflections & goals.
* 1 Thessalonian 5:16-18
* Psalm 34:4, 66:19
* Hebrew 4:16
* Isaiah 41:10
