Psalm 9:1 says: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”
As we stand on the threshold of a new year, I believe it’s important to reflect on the journey we have experienced over the past year. In the busyness of life, we often find ourselves caught up in our current situations, forgetting the importance of reflection. Yet, as followers of Christ, taking a moment to remember and recount God’s faithfulness in our lives is not just a suggestion, but a spiritual discipline that can strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with Him.
In the midst of our reflections, it’s important to remember the countless moments when God’s goodness overshadowed our lives. His mercies were new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), sustaining us through both joys and trials. And it’s important that we take time to express gratitude for His unwavering love, provision, and guidance.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 5:3-4 that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” As we reflect on the challenges faced in the past year, let us recognize that God, in His sovereignty, uses difficulties to refine us. The struggles we faced were not in vain; rather, they contributed to our spiritual growth and equipped us for the journey ahead.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is a time to laugh, a time to cry and a time to mourn. Reflecting on the past year allows us to discern the seasons of our lives—times of joy, sorrow, planting, and harvest. By learning from our experiences, we gain wisdom for the future. Let us not be forgetful hearers but doers of the Word, applying the lessons learned as we press on toward the upward call of God (James 1:22; Philippians 3:14).
Consider the analogy of a potter molding clay. In the process, the clay undergoes pressure, shaping, and refining. Similarly, God molds us, His children, through the pressures of life. The Potter’s hands skillfully craft us into vessels fit for His purpose. As we reflect, let’s appreciate the divine craftsmanship that has taken place, recognizing that each trial and triumph has contributed to our unique design.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your faithfulness, for being our constant in every season. May You grant us the wisdom to learn from the challenges and give us the strength to face the future with hope and trust in Your unfailing love. Amen.
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