I believe 2016 has been a hard year for everyone. It's seems like every time you turn on the news something bad has happened and someone has something to complain about everywhere you go. I'm claiming that 2017 is going to be a wonderful year. It's a year of new beginnings and a year of finding happiness.
It's hard to see the silver lining after a year like 2016, but I promise there is one. You never know what God has planned for you, but remember that He wants nothing but good things for you. Sometimes our plans don't match up with His and although it's hard to let Him be in control, that's the only way we will truly be happy. That doesn't mean that it won't be hard because it probably will be, but everything happens for a reason and I promise He knows what He's doing.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1: 2-4
In 2017 amazing things are going to happen. Your life is going to look completely different than it does now, and even if you hit a few bumps in the road, you'll be happy with where you end up. It's going to be a life-changing year for a lot of people, and you may be one of them. Maybe you'll find clarity about a situation that's been stressing you out, maybe you'll make a new best friend, maybe you'll find the love of your life, or maybe you'll find out what really makes you happy. God has a way of using people and things in our lives to teach us lessons. Let Him. Enjoy the journey, because He knows the desires of your heart and He wants to give them to you (Psalm 37:4)
God teaches us that He will give us what we ask for (according to his will) if we believe that we will receive it.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." James 1: 5-6
Our God is a god of miracles and He wants to help you with whatever you're struggling with. You shouldn't ever feel like you aren't worthy of being helped. He loves you no matter what.
"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners". Romans 5:8
Ask Him to help you and know that He will. If you struggle with knowing what to pray, Psalm 86 is a great place to start. I encourage you to pray that over yourself every night and watch the miracles happen in your life.
I'm excited to see what He does in each one of your lives. Happy New Year!
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new each morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
