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What Kind of New
Year Will
You Have?
Have you ever had one of those years you are glad to see coming to an
end because you really hope the new year will be better? The reason you
are expressing such an attitude often comes as a result of one or more
situations you have deemed as a serious tragedy in your life. The
context of these events are as varied as the people who have
experienced them. It really does not matter whether these situations
relate to loss of life, health, finances, relationships etc. The
truth is, there was deep hurt and pain experienced. What is
interesting, as I reflect back on the losses our family experienced in
the last year, is how, if we are not careful, these events we identify
as negative can swallow up and eliminate all that was good and positive
about the past year. The very things we need to bring balance to our
life and provide us with a healthy perspective are the things we choose
to set aside and forget about. What if we were to choose today to
express an attitude of gratitude for what the current day brings, not
based upon the tragedies of the past, but the blessings of the past?
Would that make a difference in how our today was viewed?
In thinking about a new year, you do realize, don’t you, if you chose
to bring the attitudes and losses of the old year into the new, the new
year will be much like the old year was? Scripture concurs on this. In
Lamentations 3:19-20 we read, “I remember my affliction and my
wandering, the bitterness and the gall. {20} I well remember them, and
my soul is downcast within me.” On the other hand, if you choose not to
allow the negative to overwhelm the positive because you choose to see
each day as a new day with a fresh start then the words of Lamentations
3:21-23 will apply. “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
{22} Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his
compassions never fail. {23} They are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness.”
Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and
have it to the full.” Do you believe this verse applies to you and to
your life, or do you say you believe God’s Word, but waffle on it’s
personal application? So, with the new year about to come, perhaps this
would be a really good time to reconcile what you believe with what you
say you believe. You do want the new year to be better than the old
one, don’t you? If you want things to change in your life this year,
you are going to have to change things in your life. If you do the same
things with the same attitudes you will get the same results and
nothing will change. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you to the
steps you need to take for the proper change to take place. Work on
improving your self image so you become the person God created you to
be. Do not allow what appear to be negative things in your life to
block your view of the good and positive things. Remember, Romans 8:28
declares, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Again, you do believe God’s Word has personal application to your life,
don’t you?
What kind of year will 2011 be for you? Your attitude towards what
happens and your trust and faith in God will have a lot of influence on
your answer this time next year.
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