Peace For the New Year
by Lynda Scott
Invariably, around the last few weeks of December and into the early weeks of January each year, I find myself reflecting on what has been in the year gone by and then dreaming about the year ahead. It’s generally a time to be grateful for all the Lord has done. Oftentimes, when life goes along relatively happily, we can easily give our thanks to God without too much thought.
But when we have had a very difficult year it can feel quite different. Maybe we have lost someone close to us, relationships have broken down, financial ruin may have overcome us, our home has been lost in a disaster or we have faced major challenges with our health. It may have even been a year where we thought we were going to die and we’re amazed to be here at all.
I myself have had such a year. To thank God in the face of major challenges is not easy. But then I came across today’s scripture and realised how perfect Paul’s instruction is, especially for this time of year, and it spoke right to my spirit. No matter what kind of year you have had in the past, Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. What a great place to start a New Year. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. No more New Years’ resolutions for me! It’s so plain - we need to tell God what we need and thank Him for all He’s done. Then once we have followed these few steps Jesus promises us what most of us hunger for more than anything in the world. He promises that we will experience God’s peace! He also promises that His peace will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus. What an awesome promise for a New Year!
So this year follow the instruction from the word of God and you will experience the peace of God like never before. Jesus will be with you in this year ahead and bless you in ways you can yet only dream.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, How I long to experience Your peace in this New Year. I thank You for all You have done in this past year, no matter how difficult it has been. Thank You that I am still here! Help me this year to not worry about anything, but pray about everything. Help me also to tell You honestly what I need and commit my year ahead to You. Thank You that I will experience Your peace. May Your peace guard my heart and mind as I live in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Lynda Scott was first introduced to Ellel Ministries at a conference led by Peter and Fiona Horrobin in 1996 when she was miraculously healed following a devastating accident. Lynda has continued her association with Ellel Ministries over the years and has recently written her story “Lynda: From Accident & Trauma to Healing & Wholeness.” She lives in Australia with her husband Leigh and 3 children, who are all at school. She works in a local health clinic, as well as helping her husband with the administration of their beef cattle farm.
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