“But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:10a CSB
As the end of the year draws near, often we start reflecting over the past year, dwelling on unmet goals. We didn’t lose the weight we wanted too, we didn’t save the money we wanted too. We’re still working the same job we vowed we wouldn’t be by now. Whatever it is that we didn’t do that we think we should have done, let’s give ourselves grace. Let’s not waste time over what didn’t happen, but instead focus on the good things that did.
Here are some practical tips to help us overcome the end of the year blues from behavior expert, Patrick Wanis. First off, accept your feelings, whatever they are. It’s ok to feel the way you’re feeling, give yourself grace. Seek support from trusted friends who can help you overcome your doldrums. Evaluate your goals and make new goals for the coming year. Learn from what worked and what didn’t, implement those lessons into your game plan for next year. Don’t let the inner critic have the last word, you are a child of God, as today’s verse states, we are what we are because God made us this way. Focus on God’s promises, if you don’t know what they are, here’s a list of 50 of them to remind you. Don’t meditate on all that went wrong this year, meditate on all that went right. Enjoy the moment you’re in, it won’t come again. Don’t miss out by being focused on the past, instead embrace the hope of the season, Jesus. Embrace His love, His strength, His plan into your life. When you do, you can look towards the future with hope instead of judgement.
More than anything, be your own best friend. Treat yourself as you would a friend. We wouldn’t say things to a friend we say to ourselves. Stop beating yourself up. Stop judging yourself. John 8:12 tells us, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” When we follow Jesus, we walk in the light. Our old lives are left behind as we find new life in Him. Embrace the life Jesus gives you, not the one the world does. Jesus loves and accepts us just the way we are, whether we got everything done on our to do list or not. Paul, in his letter to the Phillipians gave them advice we can learn from today; “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Let go of the past, press forward into the life Jesus has for you.
Today I’m going to find rest from judgement. How can you find rest today? Comment below.
