10 Encouragements for a Better New Year

Did you make any resolutions this year?

I never do. I know I won’t keep them.

If you made any, have you already given up on carrying them out?

We all need encouragement at one time or other. But especially at the onset of a new year.

As the world around us is filled with so many distractions, disagreements, and disappointments, it’s no wonder we get disillusioned at times.

So, I hope these ten encouragements will inspire you to have a better new year. 

Here we go...

1) Gather up all the negative events of the year now closing: its sins, weaknesses, and failures; its heartaches and griefs. All the negatives that filled your year. Lay them at the foot of the Throne. Turn your back on them and leave them all there. And don’t try to take them back!

2) Crave the Lord’s will and be obedient to it.

3) Stand fearlessly at the threshold of this New Year and expect to see it filled with amazing surprises and God’s promises.

4) Step boldly through the portal of the New Year unburdened, forgiven, and free.

5) Walk trustingly arm in arm with your Beloved Lord into the unknown of each new day.

6) Journey expectantly wherever the light of His will, love, and protection guides you.

7) Spend time each day leaning upon the breast of your Beloved.

8) Share with Him all your heart’s desires and disappointments, all your joys and hurts, and He will share with you all His love, guidance, comfort, and peace.

9) “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Prov. 4:23 NLT) Guard against any influence that threatens to come between you and the Lord.

10) Praise the Lord, no matter what! Do as Paul instructed the Thessalonian church, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18 NLT). And as he instructed the Ephesian church, ‟Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:20 NKJV)

Oh, and one extra. Remember, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6 NKJV)

When a myriad of challenges greet you this year, remember these encouragements to help you handle them. And remember the Lord cares for and watches over the land of your journey, and “His eyes watch over it from the beginning to the end of the year.” (Deut. 11:12b NLV)

May the Lord’s shadow of forgiveness conceal the disappointments and troubles of the year behind you, while His light is cast as a beacon of guidance to His safe haven of the days yet to be explored.

And may His hand be against your enemy and His peace reign in all your days.

I pray His servants Goodness and Mercy pursue you throughout the New Year...Lynn