Soon 2018 will be over. What has the year been like for you? For me it was a year that I can look back on with gratitude and contentment for all that happened within, through, around and for me.
I feel like each year gets better and better although I often don`t realise this unless I take time to reflect on the year itself.
Even when a year is better than the previous one, it usually includes challenges, afflictions and growth. I believe that the harder the circumstances and challenges, the more a person grows
Maybe for you 2018 was a year where lots of change happened. Or maybe it was almost perfect for you and your dreams, goals, or New Year’s resolutions happened the way you wanted them to.
Even though my overall feeling about 2018 was that it was better than 2017, I also feel it has been a very strange year. Many days were difficult to handle because I felt so uncomfortable. There were days when I just wanted to throw away what I had started. There were also weeks where I was completely confused and wondered whether I was in the right place or not. Have you ever experienced anything like that?
Maybe you can identify with one or more of those feelings. As a visionary I get very uncomfortable when things aren`t moving ahead as I wish. I dislike the tension between where I see I could be and the reality of my everyday life. But that`s mostly what life is about – living in tension between one thing and another.
I learned to apply what my mentor once said: “The past you can`t change, don`t regret it. Be thankful for where you are and what you have in the present. But take responsibility for what is to come and what you will receive in the future“.
This got my attention! I realised that my attitude towards the present needs to be one of thankfulness once again. Rather than an attitude of “what I don`t have yet“, which I`ve had this year.
I love what it says in Proverbs 10:22 (TPT): “True enrichment comes from the blessing of the Lord, with rest and contentment in knowing that it all comes from him“.
God wants us to live enriched lives. I believe true enrichment only comes through a thankful heart towards God.
I don`t know about you but I had the blessing of learning how to develop a thankful heart when I was growing up. Since starting ministry, every now and then I get to experience crazy, God-given moments that blow my mind. Having these moments again and again makes them become standard. If something becomes standard I`m quickly forgetful of being thankful for it because it seems completely normal.
I think that`s an automatic human response. However, sometimes we have to remind ourselves to practise what we once did frequently and well. I definitively want to be more thankful again in 2019. I want to become that guy who can give thanks in any situation!
I want to ask you these questions:
- Which skill, talent, strength or habit that you once did well do you need to exercise again in 2019?
- Is there something you’ve always wanted to develop that you can start in 2019?
I wish you a refreshed and relaxed Christmas time and an expectant New Year! I’m believing and praying that 2019 will be a year where you can give thanks in every situation. As you give thanks I believe your year will be enriched.
Thank you for being part of the blog and supporting Live Life to the Fullest in 2018. I look forward to hearing from you next year.
Be blessed!
Nathanael
#thanksgiving
#itsallaboutHim
#livelifetothefullest