Thanks God for 2020…
WHAT. A. YEAR. As it’s coming to a close I see a lot of people holding onto the thread of hope for 2021. It makes sense. I am not here to shame anyone, but if we put our hope in future things/days, and not in THE ONE who has come and conquered, then we will never be satisfied.
Don’t get me wrong, this year hasn’t been easy. But honestly, WHAT A GIFT IT HAS BEEN! And I don’t say that sarcastically – I mean it.
I think I can speak for everyone when I say, We like our routines. We like having control. We like doing what we want, when we want.
But I am so thankful for The One who knows better, for The One who sees all.
We see in scripture again and again that the Lord allowed His people to be shaken, His people to be conquered, His people to get sick, His people to wander, His people to “lose it all” so that they could FIND HIM.
So why is this any different? Well, It’s a lot easier to read about than to walk through it for ourselves…
But Thanks God for shaking us, so that we can awaken to YOUR FACE!
Thanks God for breaking up our routines, for reminding us of the beauty of quality time with the ones we love, for redirecting our paths to Him, for gifting us with the hard but wonderful gift of pausing, for taking away the temptation and distraction of business, for awakening purpose in the middle of the mundane!
This is a week to be GRATEFUL. Thanksgiving isn’t about wishful thinking for what we want, but to be present, and grateful for what we have.
I want to encourage all who read this to walk this out. To ask yourself, “what your hope is in?” Maybe, you don’t even know where to begin? Well here’s some tangible steps to realign your thoughts:
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Reflect on 2020, and write down all that you are thankful for because it might get better in 2021, but to be honest it might not hold true to expectations. SO, know what/who your faith is in now.
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Ask for repentance where you have been ungrateful.
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Ask for forgiveness for any pain you’ve caused the Lord, others, or even yourself.
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Find scripture to bring you hope. It is alive & active, and here to give us that steadiness we need.
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Pray. Pray in the good days & pray in the difficult ones as well.
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WALK IN GRATITUDE.
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& be a light and encouragement to your family, friends and communities.
“To them God has chosen to make known among the gentiles (unbelievers) the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.“ Colossians 1:27
STOP waiting for the “better days/better year,” and instead bring joy in the affliction, and a steadiness in the Lord in the midst of the good AND the hard days.
“but those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Yes 2020 has been harder than most, but WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN! So again I say, “thanks God for the gift of 2020.” and I hope you can too.
But maybe you can’t agree with me? Maybe you don’t want to say, “2020 was a gift,”
BUT Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” You have the power to change your perspective, it’s ultimately your choice.
So what’s holding you back?
I will rejoice extol the Lord at all times, [even in 2020]; his praise will always be on my lips [even in the hard days]. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together [here and now no matter what has happened, what is happening, or what may come!] Psalm 34:1-3
Again I don’t write this blog to shame anyone. I simply felt the Lord put this message on my heart to encourage the body of Christ. We have been given hope, and if we aren’t walking in that hope then what are we really living for?
Thank you for reading this – I hope you feel encouraged! Also, I would love to partner in prayer for anyone who needs uplifting. Feel free to email me at [email protected].
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!
God Bless!
Kyn
