As 2019 comes to an end, it’s a good time for reflection. What was the year like for you? Was it filled with joy, celebrations, victories, and accomplishments? If so, you are probably optimistic about 2020. But you may be one who is saying, “Good riddance. I can’t wait until this year is over!” You may not be facing the new year so much with joyful anticipation as with apprehension and uncertainty.
Regardless of what we have faced this year, we all have a chance to begin again on January 1st. I’m all about reflection. In fact, New Year’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. I take time to look back and look ahead. It’s a good time to take inventory of our lives spiritually, financially, physically, mentally, and socially.
All of you have probably heard the song from Frozen, “Let It Go,” more times than you can barely endure, but that phrase has been strong in my spirit especially in the days leading up to the new year. What do you need to let go of in order to enter 2020 with a great expectation that, as Oral Roberts used to say, “Something GOOD is going to happen to you?”
Has someone hurt, offended, or disappointed you? LET GO of the unforgiveness, anger, and disappointment. Colossians 3:13 (NLT) says, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Did someone decide they no longer wanted to be friends with you? LET GO of the feeling of rejection. You have been fully accepted by God!
Have you sinned so badly you can’t forgive yourself? LET GO of the guilt and receive the forgiveness of God. “How blessed and relieved are those who have confessed their corruption to God! For he wipes their slates clean and removes hypocrisy from their hearts.” (Psalm 32:2 TPT)
Does your life look different than you expected? LET GO of the picture of what you thought life should have been like and embrace the life you have been given. God has good things for you! Jeremiah 29:11 (GW) says, “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.”
Are you critical of others? Do you find yourself envious of the blessing of God you see in other people’s lives? We are told in Romans 12:15 (NIV), “Rejoice with those who rejoice.” LET GO of criticism and envy.
You may have gone through a devastating loss of a loved one or a terrible divorce. There is a time to grieve over what was lost and that timeframe is different for everyone, but has it been long enough that you need to let go of the grief, pain, and hurt? Ecclesiastes 3:4 (GW) says there is “a time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Is it time to LET GO and put on your dancing shoes?
One of the best things we can do at the beginning of 2020 is to LET GO of anything that is holding us back from fulfilling the call of God on our lives and the vision He has for us. Share on XI encourage you to take time to evaluate where you are in your walk with God, in your relationships with your family and friends, and see what changes or adjustments need to be made so you can enter 2020 filled with a joyous anticipation of seeing God at work in and through your life this coming year.
Bonnie Hammer
