By Grace Through Faith

Happy New Year!! I cannot believe how time seems to fly by each year, but I am so grateful for a new year! I know at the beginning of a new year, we can easily get swept away with a list of things we want to change or get done over the next couple of months. However, before you start to spring into that “new year motivation”, I want to encourage you to take time with reflecting on the previous year. A few things to consider when reflecting may be:

• What were some of my favorite highlights from the past year?
• How did I grow over the past year?
• What am I proud of from 2023?
• What blessings came from 2023?
• How did I see the Lord provide and show up for me?

Sometimes, we can reflect on previous years and think about all the things we either didn’t accomplish or need to improve upon. However, there is much good that the Lord can do throughout a whole year in our lives, so be sure to take the time to sit and reflect on His goodness.

One thing I enjoy doing each January is setting a word for the year. As the previous year ends, I begin to reflect and pray for the Lord to pinpoint a word from scripture that I want to use as an intention for the next year.

Recently, I have been drawn to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” For 2024, I am setting a new goal to rejoice more often in what the Lord has done and what He is currently doing in my life. With each new day, we get to choose what to set our minds on.

In every season and every set of circumstances, choosing to rejoice is an intentional discipline that we must learn. It is not something that comes naturally to us. Instead, we tend to focus more on the negative, due to our sinful nature. However, I am encouraged by 1 Chronicles 16, where it reminds me to seek the Lord and rejoice in who HE is.

“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgements he uttered.” – 1 Chronicles 16:10-12

God is the same today, yesterday, and forever. As we continue to turn more towards His Word day by day, His Spirit begins to show us how to walk in the light, instead of remaining in darkness. What a beautiful and generous Savior we get to worship!

Praying that this new year brings many blessings to your life as you continue to grow in your walk with the Lord. I would love to know what word you are choosing for 2024 and why!

Let’s praise His name today and forever!

With love,

Claire