Make 2017 Your Best Year Ever

Happy New Year!

It’s quite shocking to think how quickly 2016 went by, but here we are – January 3, 2017. What will we do with this year? How will we make it count? Are we making the most important thing the most important thing? Is this the year we can finally lay aside all our grudges and differences and just choose to be happy? Instead of focusing on what others are doing wrong, could we change our viewpoint and look for the good in each other?

Life is too short to dwell in the mollygrubs. It’s easy for us ladies to let our emotions rule us and especially as we get older I think we feel it more. I know my nerves can’t handle as much as they used to. Sometimes my kids look at me like I’ve sprouted 2 more heads. I think I kind of scare them – not exactly what I envisioned when I dreamed of being a mother!

As Christians there is no need for us to be down nor do we have to let our emotions control us… not when we can go to the joy-giver and be filled with all the wonderful things He promises to His children. That was something I was learning in 2016 and I am so thankful that my heavenly Father never gives up on me but is always alongside, giving me encouragement and the strength to keep going. I know He’s working in my life and will complete the work in me.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ… Phillipians 1:6

If anybody is emotional, it’s me. And to be honest, I’m quite tired of it. (Did I just hear my husband say, “Hallelujah?”) haha

Maybe what I’m writing will resonate with some of you other ladies. Maybe you can give me words of advice and encouragement because I’m open to it. But I want to share with you a few things that has helped me. They are simple things that we all know to do most likely, but maybe reading it one more time will cause something to click for you if you feel the same as I do.

Always make time for the Lord

Start your day off right by making time for the Lord. I am reminded of what Martin Luther said when I think I’m too busy.

“If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.” –Martin Luther

Fill yourself up each day with the Word.

I love listening to music and podcasts but I try to make a practice of listening to a sermon by Bro. Wlliam Branham before I listen to anything else. What a difference this makes! God’s Word is a living Word and is always applicable, always inspiring, always comes at the right time and is always needed. You never outgrow your need to hear from Him.

My next point is maybe minor but it is something I have found important in my own life. God works with each person individually and these things may not speak to you like they have me but here they are.

The only person you need to worry about is yourself.

Wait! Don’t stop reading. What I mean about only focusing on yourself is that so many times we think that if only someone would act this way or do this or that, everything would be fine and we would be the perfect person. We tend to think our problems come from other people. But passing the buck never works. It doesn’t benefit anyone and people don’t change because you badger them or do the blame game. It does the reverse and drives people from you and creates more tension.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Matthew 7:3-5

Instead try to focus on yourself and how your actions and reactions could be more Godly. If you ever get in a mood about your husband anyone – just go read I Corinthians 13 and you will have nothing else to say.

Change begins with us and when we are walking in the Spirit and prayed up, then we can (without trying) affect those around us.

And the things that you think on, the things that you do, the actions, the things you talk about, creates an atmosphere.   –William Branham

Now, we all have to face these facts that there is people that you just love to be around, and there’s people that’s fine people, and you love them, but yet, there’s something about the person that you just can’t hardly stay around them. Now, we want to talk of facts. Now, the reason that is, is because of the atmosphere that the individual himself or herself creates. –William Branham

Never be discouraged with where you are in this journey. As long as the Lord is working in your life that is exciting! And the more that you surrender to Him, the more He can change you and it’s only upward from there. The storms of life will come and you may get in a blow-down for awhile but don’t be disheartened, God is there just waiting for you to call upon Him in your distress. Don’t ever question His plan but find rest and contentment in knowing He knows best.

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Sometimes we can get into such a state that we don’t even know where to start or where we should go or what we should do. So let me simplify it. If you are in a fog and full of distress just ask the Lord with a heart full of sincerity to help you.

 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. –John 14:1

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. –Psalms 18:6

And He will hear…

He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. –Psalms 18:19

It’s a promise.

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. –II Corinthians 1:20

May you be encouraged.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. –II Timothy 1:7

With God’s help and a full trust in Him you can make 2017 your best year ever!