Deep reflection by Torben as he considers 2022. What God has been able to achieve with this man and his family once he surrendered control to God is remarkable. Make sure you watch the video when you have time to reflect on your own life and the extent of your commitment to our Lord and Saviour. Let me also give you several appropriate Scriptures to reflect on as well.
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Romans 13:14
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
We often see the verse “I can do all things through Him that strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 however, rarely do we see the verses that immediately precede it.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.“Philippians 4:11-13
These three biblical truths are better than a new year resolution because they will change your thinking and make success possible.
God used the prophet Isaiah to encourage the Children of Israel after they lived in exile for many years. The people no longer believed they had a successful future. Negative thinking patterns kept them trapped. The message delivered by the prophet offered a new way forward for the Children of Israel, and it will do the same for you.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” Isaiah 43:18–19
What does God want you to do in 2022
1) Forget the Former Things
“Former things” have the power to keep us stuck if we’re not careful. God wants us to understand that despite our past failures, He still has a plan for our future. The path to achieving our goals starts with the decision to forget the former things. You must believe that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13). If you don’t forget the former things, you may not even try to make a new year resolution.
2) Perceive What God Is Doing
Jesus made it possible for our Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit to be our counsellor, teacher and comforter so we must learn how to perceive where He is taking us, even when it is not working out as planned. You may not see the full manifestation of your purpose right now, but with prayer God will cause circumstances to spring up which shows the way forward. It could be that a door unexpectedly opens. Or perhaps a door closes that you thought would stay open.
It’s not our place to know every detail about the future, but we must perceive the next step in the journey. In some cases, God has already given us instructions and is waiting for us to make the next move. You must know that God is actively working in your life. If you stop dwelling on the past you can perceive the next step forward.
3) Trust That God Will Make a Way
It’s important to trust God to make the way into the unknown places that we can’t handle on our own. If we have a dream that could happen without any assistance from God, then the dream did not come from God. The prospect of walking into our destiny should feel slightly overwhelming, or perhaps even impossible, without help from above. If we limit our future to what we can handle on our own, we will not step into the deeper things that God is doing.
It’s easy to focus on the unknown variables that make us feel unqualified, but that’s why we are in partnership with God. He will make a way in the wilderness where there is no clear path and provide streams in the wasteland when there are no resources. Don’t give your limitations the power to stop you from moving forward with God’s plans.
Do you need help overcoming negative thinking patterns that sabotage success? Then you may need help. Can I suggest you link with Habit Finder. They can teach you how your thinking patterns are impacting your success. You will discover why changing how you think is far better than a new year resolution.
LIVING ETERNAL NOW 