Taking the First Step Towards Another New Year

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Wednesday to you all!  I hope that your day is going well…and that you will truly know in your heart that God is ALWAYS there for you…no matter what you may be facing…Amen!
Today, I thought that we would do something different…and begin by preparing ourselves for another new year. I’m sure that for some…entering a new year may not be as exciting as it once was; so let’s spend some time together with God…and let His words of encouragement help us take those final steps into a brand new year.
As we begin this time together, let’s read Philippians 3:13-14…and we read… “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  
The first thing we must realize is that we are not perfect people and life will always be a time of struggle, as this is how we gain the knowledge…wisdom and strength that’s needed to continue our journey through life. One thing that will help us with this; is to stop living up to people’s expectations and begin to live up to God’s expectations; because when we attempt to be a perfect person…one that God never intended for us to be; then moments such as these only weigh us down and make it much more difficult to continue the journey that’s set before us.
Now that we have left one piece of unwanted baggage along the wayside; let’s let go of another one, by leaving the past behind…because when we choose to live in the past moments of hurt and pain; then we will never be able to enter the present moments, which will only make us feel as though we are not making it through life…which only leads to giving up. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t deal with the past because there may be moments when we need to do so; but at the same time, we shouldn’t make plans to remain in the past. When we can learn how to let go of the pain and heartache from the past…and even our yesterday; then we will soon find that we have gained even more strength for the journey, as this unwanted piece of baggage is no longer weighing us down.
The final piece of baggage that we need to unload before entering a new year; is to quit studying the mistakes and wrong turns we’ve made in life and continue to focus and strive for the prize, which will become our reward, for a journey well-traveled. When we begin to study everything that is wrong in our lives or even the hurtful moments of the past; then these moments only become obstacles that enter our path, which only keeps us from moving forward in life. 
Many today may be suffering with chronic pain…illness and the deep heartache that stems from a trying circumstance…and these moments can make it difficult at times, to even begin to think about entering another new year…because we tend to feel as though this part of the journey will never find it’s end; but rather than focusing on what is happening for the moment, why don’t we do as Paul did and strive to reach for the moments that can allow this awful part of the journey, to serve some great purpose in life.
Today, we can find hope and a reason to take that first step towards another new year, when we are willing to leave all the unwanted moments of our lives behind, while choosing to exchange the negative thoughts and feelings, for a better outlook on life. When we choose to enter the New Year in this way; then we will find that the journey becomes easier, while making more room for God to work in our lives.
May you truly have a blessed day…and I hope you will join me tomorrow, as we take that final step into another New Year! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane