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Each year we are faced with the same inescapable reality…the New Year. For some it is just another day, another season and making a big deal out of is unwarranted. However, for many this season brings about self-reflection that causes anxiety and depression from missed expectations, broken relationships, and memories of lost loved ones.
For those finding themselves in this situation and wrestling with missed expectations or disappointment it is imperative that we look to God for approval, not our family, friends or even ourselves. God loves us more than we can imagine, more than we can comprehend, and more than we can love Him in return. The reality of His love ought to be reflected upon as we look back and evaluate this previous year or even the preceding day.
You are God’s special creation and He made you unique…and wonderful.
Psalm 139:14
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
God has loved us from the beginning and continues to love us without fail.
Jeremiah 31:3
the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:35–39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Take all the negativity and darkness the world has to offer and cast it aside, spend time reflecting on God’s love. He does not care if you got the promotion, lost the ten pounds, or checked off all the boxes on your to-do list. He fearfully and wonderfully made YOU and He loves YOU unconditionally. Allow the understanding of God’s love lift you out the gloominess that can creep in during this season. Allow the understanding of God’s love be on the forefront of your mind as we move into a new year. Allow the reality of God’s love to shape your 2012.
Psalm 63:3–4
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.