A new year not only signifies a new beginning, but also another year God has blessed you to keep moving forward. As cliche as it may sound, a new year really is a new start – the perfect time to try again or try something new. Yes, you should be working on progressing throughout the year, but if you haven’t been, what the top of a new year symbolizes is a great time to start. In mapping out your newest ventures and goals, consider these three things to leave behind in 2024, according to the Bible.
1. Fear
Don’t be so afraid of something that you never give it a shot. If it frightens you, you probably need to face it full on. Why? Because that could be the enemy trying to block you from a blessing. Somebody once told me: “Listen to your inner voice, even when it’s shaky.” Send your prayers up when you hear that voice so you know how to discern it. God’s really got your back. Like, all the way. He says so in Isaiah 41:10 — “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Throw on that armor and trust Him.
2. Negative Thinking
Your thoughts can be one of the most dangerous things to ever cross your path. They can ruin you if you aren’t too careful. What you speak, even when it’s most absurd, can turn into your beliefs if you let it. Turn to God’s promises instead. Remember that time Jesus slipped up and asked “why” on his way to die for us? That proved it was okay to have feelings. They’re always legitimate; that’s our nature! But even when Jesus could’ve used His power to save Himself, He quickly remembered His purpose. Nine times out of 10, this path we’re on, what God has planned for us, is bigger than just us.
Philippians 2: 1-8 says “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
When things don’t go your way, when people disappoint you, when you’re not satisfied with your surroundings, when you’re not confident in yourself… think about the lesson in that season. It may be preparing you for something far greater than you could’ve ever imagined if you’re open to receive the gains by actively searching for your purpose, staying strong-minded, sticking to the mission and practicing humility.
3. People Pleasing
It’s okay to put yourself first. Your happiness starts there. Work for you, study for you, dress for you, treat yourself, uplift yourself, stop letting other people’s business drain you. It’s okay to remove yourself from conversations or situations you’re not comfortable in. It’s okay to not be flashy. It’s okay if you have to skip out on a boys or girls night out to stay ahead of your bills. And in all that, ask yourself who you’re really trying to impress anyway. Your followers or the God you’re following? Don’t get so caught up in “shares” and “likes” that you forget what God likes (Colossians 3:23).
Source: NewsOne