Step back and get the bigger picture of your life
- There are two tools to help with this — your calendar and journal
- (If journaling is not a regular practice for you, we will help you with this in another blog series)
- Focus initially on the positives of last year:
- We are told to come into God’s presence with thanksgiving
- What can you be grateful for?
- Note the blessings you experienced
- Remind yourself of the evidence of God’s presence last year
- Build a heart of gratitude and thankfulness
Calendar:
Any patterns you see in how you spent your time? Should anything change here?
What were the big events of the past year?
Did you take your vacation times? What happened?
Did you get away from your regular work and take any training?
Journal:
Review the reflections in your journal.
What were the significant experiences of the past year?
What did God teach you?
Where have you grown?
Where do you need to grow yet?
There is always a mix of good and bad. We’re starting out looking for the good, and building a heart of gratitude. Write them down. Let it encourage your heart.
From this position of strength and trust, you can then turn your attention to the inevitable problems in your life … that’s the topic of the next blog.
Question: What do you do to keep building your faith and trust in God?