I know I’m not the only person who experienced the highs and lows of last year. I found myself at the end of 2021 reflecting on everything I’ve accomplished, things I needed to let go, things I needed to accept, things that left me confused and frustrated and then things that made me happy. We think about all the things we want to change, get better in and start.
As soon as the new year rolls around we start with our New Year’s resolutions. That’s what I started to do... I thought about all the things I wanted to do and needed to do. My mind and heart were racing. I begin to feel anxiety. Immediately the Lord convicted me. He said, “You never considered what I wanted for 2022.”
It hit me like a tons of bricks. The end of December I got COVID. I was down for weeks. While still sick all I could think about were my plans. Thennn I start seeing and hearing everyone’s plans. I definitely got distracted.
I clearly heard the Lord tell me to REST going into the new year. REST!? That seemed so backwards. There’s so much to do!!! Ahhhh!
Needless to say, I took the break and it has been the most refreshing January. I don’t know why he told me to rest, but all I know is I dropped everything, all my plans and gave them to God. There were some days that was hard to do lol can’t lie. But when I did it I was able to hear His voice.
Question: Did you step into 2022 with just your plans? Did you ever consult God about what he wanted you to do this year? Think about it… We get so caught up in the busyness of life and trying to be productive to only find ourselves forcing what maybe God is trying to get us to see or do differently.
I want to share what I did and what helped me.
Here’s 3 things to consider going into a new year:
Ask God
Truly asking God what’s His Plan for your year. It’s February, but you can do it. Ask Him for provision. Ask Him to give it to you plain. What is his plan for your finances? Maybe he wants you to give more. What’s his plan for your career? Perhaps he wants you to shift into something new… He will give you clarity. Repent for things you‘ve done because He honors us coming to him for forgiveness humbly and honest. He knows we’re not perfect, he just wants us to come to Him.
So ASK.
Plan quiet time for yourself + God.
Create a space where you can hear his voice. Silence the noise. Make sure you are NOT distracted from outside voices like friends and loved ones. Try cutting back on things you love like tv, social media and technology. Give up things you love momentarily. Fasting is a good way to hear him clearly. It gives us a chance to say no to what we want and use that time to say yes to Him. Pray. Seek His face.
Write in a Journal
Do your devotion and write down what you see and what the Lord may be trying to tell you. if you’re not a journal person, try it before you knock it. Writing helps to see the way God works, our partterns, things that happened that we forget. Most of all God answers us in small and big things. To keep a notebook helps to keep those things close to your heart and it reassures and comforts you in the times you need it. Don’t wanna journal? Write in your phone or audio record yourself. There are plenty of apps that allow you to do that.
It’s that simple… and wait. Do the next best thing, and be patient.
Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”