Last week, I emphasized the significance of taking a break and reflecting on the past year. I’m curious, did you merely read my post and move on, or did you manage to take out some time for personal reflection?
Amidst the relentless deadlines from school and the chaos of daily appointments, I managed to steal moments for reflection. Now, as the curtain gradually falls on 2023, my soul is not just filled but overflowing with gratitude for the love, blessings, and grace that have surrounded me throughout this extraordinary year.
I have a lot to be thankful for this year but some things stood out for me personally:
Protection (Psalm 91):
Every day I’m able to leave my house and come back safely without giving it much thought. It is by the grace of God that the devil hasn’t been able to harm me so far.
In the early hours of the night, during meals, within the walls of a hospital, and even amidst the chaos of the road, people lose their lives daily. Yet, I’ve been spared from such tragedies. Even in moments of illness, it has never escalated to a life-threatening stage. Accidents happen, but I’ve always found myself distant from harm’s reach under the umbrella of the Almighty. The arrows of evil seem to have lost their way to me and my loved ones, and this year, I haven’t had lost anyone around me.
These are extraordinary blessings that not everyone has the privilege of sharing. Once again, I bow in gratitude, thanking God for the overwhelming grace and love that continues to envelop my life.
Provision (Matthew 6:25-26):
Reflecting on the events of this year, the song ‘Jireh’ by Elevation Worship & Maverick City perfectly conveys the essence of my journey. Similarly, the Bible verse Matthew 7:7 briefly captures the spirit of the past months.
Reflecting on the past months, I can’t help but marvel at how God fulfilled every thing I listed at the beginning of the year down to the details. In moments of need, He remained steadfast, never growing weary or letting me down. His faithfulness surpassed even my highest expectations.
For this Lord, I am grateful.
Growth (John 15:5):
This year, I witnessed remarkable growth in various aspects of my life—physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, and mentally.
Reflecting on the past, if someone had asked me a year ago where I saw myself today, I wouldn’t have imagined reaching this point. The journey has been unpredictable, and I owe my progress to God’s guidance because, most of the time, I felt clueless about my direction.
Some endeavors I undertook initially seemed enjoyable, but with time, I realized that each project was a stepping stone, preparing me for the next chapter in life.
God, in His omniscience, holds the greater picture, and He has been guiding me step by step.
There is still room for growth but I’m extremely proud of myself for how far I’ve come and I can’t wait to start bearing fruit.
Forgiveness (1 John 1:9):
I strongly detest falling into sin because each time I make such mistakes, it feels like I’m crucifying Jesus Christ all over again.
Yet, being human and subject to the weaknesses of the flesh, I am bound to make mistakes and sin. In these moments, I am immensely grateful to God for embracing me with all my flaws. He looks into my heart, understanding the depth of my struggles.
Our God is a compassionate Father, always ready to forgive us when we genuinely repent.
Thank you, Lord, for the opportunities You’ve granted me this year to repent and strive towards becoming a better version of myself.
Relationships (Proverbs 12:26):
This part is intertwined with my personal growth. As I evolved, I found myself naturally drawn to like-minded individuals. With each area of growth, certain people had to be removed from my life and my social circle, while new individuals were added.
I’ve been inspired by some of my peers, received encouragement from the church and family members, and forged connections with esteemed members of society through my educational journey.
While my social circle may have reduced in size, the individuals who remain are those I can rely on — people who genuinely want to witness my success and people who have my best interests at heart. Being surrounded by such warmth is a privilege for which I am truly grateful.
I thank God for every opportunity presented to me and the valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way. I also want to thank God for those He sent into my life albeit for a season.
If you haven’t taken a moment to count your blessings and express gratitude, now is the perfect opportunity. Don’t let the year slip away without thanking God for all He has done. In fact refusing to thank God for the past can block your future blessings so make sure to be genuinely grateful to Him.
Stay Blessed x
2 responses to “Ending the year in peaceful reflection”
Congratulations! May the coming year be better for you in terms of testimonies. Gratitude ofcourse motivates God to do more for those who show it. Honestly, am yet to take a comprehensive look at the year which for me is still kind of work in progress. But so far I can as well say God has been faithful.
Amen. It is very easy to lose track of the things He’s done for us especially when we’re still facing difficulties. Some things will work out and some things will remain hard but it doesn’t negate His love and grace in our lives. That’s why I find it important to be intentional about gratitude (sometimes we need to force ourselves to do the needful). It helps me complain less and see the good in everything.