There are two types of change we go through in life: the kind that leads us through seasons of struggle and hardship, and the kind that opens doors to blessings, breakthroughs, and elevation. While it’s clear which of these we would prefer, the truth is, we can’t have one without the other. In other words, as much as we long for the good stuff, we can’t have the breakthroughs without first walking through the struggle. In John 16:33 (NLT), Jesus reminds us, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” The struggle is real, but it’s not the end of the story. We grow, we learn, and we get stronger. At the end of the day, it’s through those challenging moments that we are refined, strengthened, and prepared for the blessings that are yet to come.
Think about Joseph’s record in the Old Testament. His life is a powerful story of going through seasons of great struggle and hardship, but in the end, God elevated him with incredible blessings. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned. Talk about enduring years of pain and suffering, he went through it. But in the midst of these trials, God was working behind the scenes, refining Joseph’s character and preparing him for a greater purpose.
In Genesis 50:20 (NLT), after he had been promoted to a position of power in Egypt, Joseph said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Joseph’s life shows that the struggles and tribulations he faced did not have the final say. Through them, God shaped him into the leader He needed him to be, and ultimately, Joseph’s elevation became a blessing not just for him, but for an entire nation. This is a tremendous for example for us. Even when we don’t understand the hardships, we can have confidence that God is working things out for our good.
Sometimes we compartmentalize and strategize, thinking we know the way to success, but without God’s wisdom and guidance, we can veer away from His purpose and not even realize it. Rather than realigning ourselves with His plan, we construct goals and resolutions that take us further from it. A new year should be about focusing our attention on our Heavenly Father in a greater way. It should be about yielding to Him as we offer our whole selves as clay in the Potter’s hands. We have an enemy, satan, who often makes it challenging for us to focus our faith in this way, but we must remember that God is the One with the plan. He always has the final say.
Purpose is the Springboard
Our purpose in the plan and Will of God propels us forward and pursuing it will help us to rise above challenges with endurance and patience. Purpose launches us into new opportunities and breakthroughs. The problem, however, is that many of us are not thinking this way when we step into a new year. We make the mistake of overlooking the power of purpose in positioning us for increase and expansion. Romans 8:28 (NLT) reminds us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” When our desire is to please God by seeking Him to know and fulfill our purpose, every season—whether it brings challenges or triumphs—will be a steppingstone towards His greater plan for our lives.
Know His Will and Be Patient with His Timing
Each year, we resolve to make a change because, at our core, we understand that change ushers in the blessings we long for. We believe these blessings will lead to greater fulfillment and happiness. However, the journey toward those blessings is not always as simple as making a wish or setting a goal. There are many factors involved in preparing ourselves for the blessings that will ultimately transform our lives. We don’t know all these details, and we can’t see the whole picture, but our Heavenly Father knows and sees it all. So, ultimately, it boils down to this one simple truth: God is in control of everything. Proverbs 19:21 (NLT) reminds us, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” We can dream and plan all we want, but God’s purpose directs the course of our lives. He always wants us to have His best, and He always knows what is best for us.
God’s timing is always perfect, even when we can’t see it. Whether it’s better health, new relationships, greater financial stability, or spiritual growth, He knows exactly what we need. But even in those areas, we’re called to seek His will and exercise patience. It’s important to renew our minds so that our hearts align with His desires. God doesn’t want us to feel disappointed when things don’t go according to our plans. Often, we set unrealistic timelines for ourselves, but a healthier approach is to walk with God through our resolutions. Instead of seeing them as just goals to check off, we can view them as opportunities to grow closer to Him and gain a deeper understanding of His plans for our lives.
The New Blessing
The new and great blessing each new year is the opportunity to learn more about God, more about what He is requiring of us, and more about the incredible blessings He wants to bring into our lives. When we begin the year with a resolution rooted in faith and focused on seeking Him, we’ll be thrilled by what we can achieve. As Lamentations 3:23 (NLT) reminds us, “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Every new day, every new year, is a chance to experience His mercy all over again and to reset our hearts toward Him. The fresh start we desire is always about the one He gives, guiding us to where He wants us to be. So, it should be our highest priority to begin each new year thanking Him for new beginnings and following His guidance as He leads us to greater blessings and a closer walk with Him through Jesus Christ. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“A New Year, A New Blessing”, written by Rev. Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Lizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.