Before we enter into a brand new year, we can take some time to reflect on ourselves.
What is 'self-reflection', or some people call it 'personal reflection'?
It is taking the time to think or reflect on ourselves, on what we have done during the year, how we behaved, our attitudes, our desires in life, our motivation in life, etc during this past one year.
And yes, as we reflect on ourselves, there can be a number of things in our lives that we can be grateful for. No doubt, we all have our share of challenges in life, but looking at the brighter side in life, surely there are also many things that we can be grateful for and thankful for!
What is the definition of 'being grateful'? In the context of your relationship with God, 'being grateful' is 'feeling or expressing thankfulness for the good things that God has given in your life.'
How about 'being contented'? In the context of your relationship with God, 'being contented' means 'being happy and satisfied with what God has given in your life, or the willingness to accept yourself and your present stage in life.'
You see, you don't have to compare yourself with others. Instead, you look to the Lord and receive all the good that He wants to give to you. Now, don't get me wrong. Living a contented life doesn't mean you cannot have dreams or ambitions in life. It doesn't mean you cannot look forward to improving your life. But what I'm saying is living a contented life simply means accepting your present stage in life with peace and positivity. And of course, being thankful for who you are, and what God has given in your life.
In Philippines 4:11-12a (NKJV), Paul wrote, 'Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.'
See the word 'content' here? In other words, Paul wrote that in every circumstance of his life, he has learned to be content.
Let's read from another version, the Amplified Bible. 'Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity.'
As Paul had mentioned here, he learned to be content, trusting in the Lord that whatever the time and season he's in, he's not alone. And he can therefore say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That's in Philippians 4:13, just one verse later. Paul knew in whatever circumstance that he faced in life, the Lord's there to strengthen him, and therefore, 'he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.' Without God, he knew he couldn't. But with God, all things are possible.
Now, it is the same with your life. We all have our own unique life story. Whatever your life story may be, one thing for sure is you can count on the Lord to see you through. As for my wife (Sharon) and I, we have come a long way since we left our accountancy career those days and began serving the Lord full-time some 25 years ago in various ministry capacities. We have seen how faithful God has been to us. Yes, in good times, and even in challenging times, we have tasted and seen how good He is to us. We are grateful.
So, you too, you can count on the Lord to do things that are otherwise impossible for you to do. Your part is to keep looking to Him, counting on Him, trusting in Him, and of course, obeying His every instruction for your life. When He says so, you say so. When He says no, you say no. And He will know how to lead you and guide you. Remember, He will never lead you into trouble or dead-end road. He will always make a way for you. Amen!
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) says, 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.'
The word 'thanksgiving' here is 'eucharistia' in Greek. It means 'being thankful, being grateful, having gratitude in life'. So, in a time like this, let us be grateful and thankful to the Lord. And let us say to the Lord, "O Lord God, I thank You for all the good that You have done in my life. Yes, even if there are some areas in my life that I do not understand, but I just give thanks to You. Because I know all things will somehow work together for good in my life."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) says, 'Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.'
In everything give thanks! That's what Paul wrote here.
What is the meaning of 'pray without ceasing'? It means 'constantly praying and having fellowship with the Lord, and having the consciousness of being in His presence throughout each day.'
What is the meaning of 'in everything give thanks'? It simply means 'living a life of gratitude and thanksgiving, and learning to count your blessings.'
There will always be things, even seemingly little things in your life, that you can give thanks for. For example, your bed, your home, your loved ones who really care for you and pray for you, etc. Now, different people different. You can list down all the things, even the little things in your life, that you can give thanks for. Amen!
Psalm 107:1-2 (NKJV) says, 'Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.'
Yes, He is the Lord who knows how to redeem you. And indeed, He is the Lord who knows how to redeem your lost time. He is a God of repair and restoration.
Psalm 95:1-2 (NKJV) says, 'Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.' Hallelujah! See the word 'thanksgiving' here?
James 1:17 (NKJV) says, 'Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.'
There is no doubt, without any shadow of doubt, that He is a good God, and that He is the Source of every good thing in your life. Therefore, what is your part? Your part is to keep looking to Him and His goodness in your life. Keep receiving the goodness of God in your life. Taste and see more and more of God's goodness in your life!
Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJV) says, 'Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him."'
What does it mean by 'the Lord is your portion'? The Lord is your inheritance! What are some of His inheritances? He is the Source of joy in your life. He is the Source of blessings in your life. He is the Source of security in your life. He is the Source of provision in your life. He is the Source of comfort in your life. He is the Source of strength in your life. He is everything in your life. He is your portion. All these inheritances that I've written here, and even more, have been given to you!
So, if you read here, "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him.", the author of this book meant, "Because the Lord is my portion, I can be rest assured that I can hope in Him and look to Him. Because He is a God who is faithful to me, and He is a God who will never fail me." Amen!
So beloved of God, let us be grateful and be contented not just for what He can give to us, but for who He is to us. Thank God for He is a merciful God. Thank God for He is a loving and forgiving God. Thank God for He is a compassionate God. Thank God for who He is in our lives!
What if you have made a mistake in life, or you think you blew it, or messed up? Remember, as a beloved of God, He is for you and not against you. It's not the end of the world. Return to His ways. It isn't too late yet. To God, 'a thousand years is as a day', the Bible says. It means what humans can achieve in 1,000 years, He (God) can accomplish it in just one day. That's how great He is. He can therefore redeem you. He can redeem your lost time. He is a God of restoration in your life. So, forgive yourself. Condemn yourself no more. Learn from those mistakes, yes, but look ahead and rise up again. Rise up and soar higher than ever before. He is here for you, and His hands are here to carry you!
Right now, I pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be upon you (for you) to soar higher than ever before, and to soar to the next level. In spite of all those troubles and challenging times you've had in your life, be rest assured that the Lord's grace is more than enough for you. The Lord's grace is sufficient for you. His anointing is upon you (for you) to soar higher than all those storms, and to soar like that of an eagle. Amen!
Let us pray: "O Lord God, we thank You not just for what You can give to us, but also for who You are to us. We thank You for Your mercy. We thank You for Your lovingkindness. We thank You for Your love for us that never fails. There are indeed so many things we can give thanks for. We are thankful that You are still the same faithful God - yesterday, today, and forever. We thank You that You will know how to work all things together for good in our lives. We thank You for the year that is past. And we thank You in advance for the year ahead of us. It's going to be a brand new start. It's going to be a good year ahead. In Jesus' name. Amen."
