New Year! New Me?

Maybe it's just me, but has anyone else had that early January moment yet? You know, the one when they think to themselves, "This is not at all how I wanted this new year to go!" We aren't even a full week in and I've had that internal dialogue a few times already.

In the grand scheme of things, nothing truly dire has happened, but circumstances have not lined up with my expectations and sometimes, that's enough to disrupt my peace. It's not always easy to bounce right back after a frustrating moment or a disappointment. Sometimes it's easier to hold onto worry or an offense, rather than choose to embrace the truth of God's word and believe that He will come through for us.

When January rolls around, we can create idealistic expectations for change but fail to remember that God is always making things new.

When January rolls around, we can create idealistic expectations for change but fail to remember that God is always making things new. If we believe that growth and change relies entirely upon other people or ourselves rather than Him, it's easy to loose sight of hope. In trying times, we can become skillfully cynical, searching out and fixating on the worst case scenario in a given situation. Unbelief and fear will always try to rush in and choke out the hope that God has given us. But He is the God of all hope dwelling within and He is able to sustain and prosper us. Even when change seems painfully slow or life stays the same or worsens, we still can choose to trust the God of all hope and find strength and peace.

Even when change seems painfully slow or life stays the same or worsens, we still can choose to trust the God of all hope and find strength and peace.

Perhaps, this week doesn't have to look much different than last week after all. Each new day is another chance to get it right. Every moment holds potential and the possible can be accessed through the avenue of hope. Whether you are facing difficulties so heavy that that they are waging war against your faith or if you are simply finding yourself in moments that test your patience and quench your joy, I would like to encourage you to choose hope.

Every moment holds potential and the possible can be accessed through the avenue of hope.

Keep believing God will use everything for your good! Trust that He has not forgotten you and knows every one of your needs!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13