As we arrive at the end of the year, it’s impossible not to reflect. Also, New Year’s resolution’s come to mind; losing the extra Christmas pounds is always high up on everyone’s list.

We consider how successful last year’s resolutions were, and how much progress we made in the last 12 months, tending to focus on the negative.

It’s vital that we do not take any negative energy from this year into the next.

Instead, look back and see the faithfulness of God in your live throughout the year, all the positive things that happen, how He has helped shaped you into a better person.

Be filled with a sense of wonder what God may have in store for you in 2017.

Maybe when you reflect on 2016, it hasn’t been the best year. Lost, or pain may cloud your vision. Maybe you had challenges that seemed to take your life in a different direction than you planned.

Maybe you missed out on opportunities as you lacked the faith or confidence in your abilities.

We all miss out on God-given opportunities, but as long as we look at them as learning experiences, then they were not missed entirely, as spiritual growth occurred.

We all learn and grow in different ways, and at different speeds. Our Heaven Father knows this, so each of us must walk a unique path to learning what is needed.

The road to your destiny is not as straightforward as A to B.

Many missed opportunities are Gods way of telling us; there are changes ahead to fulfill what we desire, but we must be prepared.

Life Lesson
Look at setbacks as learning experiences, do not focus on them, taking your eyes off the road in front of you, with self-pity and regret, or you may miss something greater around the next bend.

We need to turn our attention away from past mistakes, away from missed opportunities, and focus our attention on the present. Using the New Year as a fresh beginning, as a chance to use the lessons learned in 2016 to make the coming year better.

You may not have been there for a loved one in their time of need, but instead of dwelling on it, shake off the guilt or regret, and learn from it. Turn a negative into a positive, by being there for everyone that means something to you in 2017.

As you get ready to celebrate the New Year, leave behind all the negative feelings toward others or yourself, leave behind the regret, the guilt, and the bitterness.

Replace them feelings with love.

Forgive others for not being who you would like them to be. Forgive them and set them free.

Do not bring any negative thoughts or feelings into 2017. Do this, and it will be your best year yet.

Isaiah 48:18
Forget the former things, do not dwell in the past

 

 

Happy New Year to all
Rev J Martin