Philippians 3:13(NLT) I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.
This year may not have been your best year. Maybe you experienced tests, trials and tribulations galore. Perhaps you had to deal with numerous disappointments and frustrations. It’s possible that you have endured hurts or heartaches you never imagined you would have.
We have all experienced hard times throughout life. We are all familiar with pain and discouragement on many levels. But we all have a Hope to cling to!
I want to encourage you to shake off the discouragement. Let go of the disappointments. Forgive those who’ve hurt you. Forget about the tests and trials.
Do what the Apostle Paul did: Forget the past & look forward to what lies ahead.
Refuse to feel sorry for yourself. Refuse to live defeated. Instead, forget the past and begin looking forward to a bright and glorious future. Sometimes you just have to pick yourself up, wipe off the dirt and refuse to quit.
The enemy will do all he can to steal, kill and destroy you (John 10:10), but he can’t as long as you remain in faith and refuse to quit.
I love these words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9:
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed
We are perplexed, but not in despair
Persecuted, but not forsaken
Cast down, but not destroyed!
That is the spirit of faith! Those are the words of someone who is a victor, not a victim. You can choose to have a spirit of faith and live in victory no matter what the circumstances look like.
The choice is yours.
Are you going to allow the disappointments of this year to spill over into the next, or are you going to forget the past and look forward to a brand new year filled with the goodness of God?
Expect God’s favor to be on your life like never before. Expect Him to pour out His blessings on you throughout the new year. This can be your greatest year yet!
Your future is bright! Your best is yet to come!
Great post. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Donna! Have blessed new year!
What a great post for this last day of the year and one I needed to read. I do plan to Flourish and live an abundant and satisfying life in the year ahead. Life can just throw some unexpected curve balls that get us all off track and cause us to lose our focus of flourishing. Blessings to you this new year!
Thank you, Lea! I join my faith with yours for a year of God’s abundance in every area of your life! Blessings to you!
This was good! It really does come down to choice sometimes, choosing to focus on the good, & choosing to praise God in the storms. Thanks for sharing.
Amen, Aisha! That is exactly right. Blessings to you & your family!
New Follower!! Found you though the link up! Love your Year in Review!!Hope to get to know you better! Love your blog… and if you have time check me out at http://www.kjaggers.com Happy New Year! K Jaggers
Thank you for visiting, Kisha, and thank you for your kind words! I’m heading over to check out your blog. Blessings, Alisha
Great post Alisha! I’m always soo hopeful & encouraged after reading your blog 🙂 Blessings!
Thank you, Kim! Your comments always encourage me! You are a blessing! Have a blessed & prosperous new year!
Looking ahead! 🙂 I love that! 🙂 Found you through Better Mom!
Thank you for visiting, Elizabeth Ann! Blessings to you!
Thanks for the encouragement
You’re welcome, Laura. Thanks for visiting. Blessings to you!
Alisha,
you’re right-you are an encourager. I did have a miserable 2012, but because I have a hope, because I “Refuse to feel sorry… live defeated…” I cannot help for look forward, pressing on. I love your approach-it reminds me of my own attitude, in all things, my life is a cup overflowing. I am so very glad to have come across your blog at Hearts 4 Home.
Blessings to you and yours in this New Year.
Peace and good, in Jesus’ name.
Thank you so much for visiting, Chelle! I completely agree with you. Our cups can “overflow” even in the midst of tests & tribulations. It’s all a matter of what we choose to focus on. Blessings to you & your family!
This is a beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing!