We’ve already reached the last Friday of the first month of 2019. This year, as is true for all of them, is slipping by at lightning speed. What kind of tone have you set for this year? What is your attitude and mindset? What changes have you implemented to make this year better than last year — physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and, of course, spiritually?
Benjamin Franklin is credited for saying, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”
Winston Churchill said, “Those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.”
And, Thomas Edison was quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
I think I like Thomas Edison’s quote the best. It seems to be the most encouraging, the most motivating, the one that propels us forward.
But, of course, a number of Bible verses also mention planning. Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
And just a few verses before that in Proverbs 16:3, we find: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”
So, my conclusion is that God, as is ALWAYS true, is in charge. His will WILL be done. His will is only revealed to us in tiny moment-by-moment increments, but in the meantime, I believe planning for the future is wise.
As 2018 began to wind down, I noticed quite a few of my friends pondering what their “word” for 2019 would be. In other words, what theme, what marching orders, what motivational tool would they use to launch their year?
I saw some very good ones: flourish, forward, kindness, joy, improve, seek, surrender, release, etc. etc. All of those suggest forward motion and very good choices.
I chose the word POSITIVE. Not in the Pollyanna, pie-in-the-sky sense, but a mindset to seek the positive in others, to find the positive in the crises and challenges that come in my life, and to realize that when circumstances could combine to beat me down, I can take the blows and then stand back up.
I read another great quote recently: “”People who wonder if the glass is half full or half empty, miss the point. The glass is refillable.” That’s it. We are GOING to be defeated, disappointed and disheartened from time to time, but “the glass is refillable.” God IS able.
2 Samuel 22:33 – “For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God is my strong fortress, and He makes my way perfect.”
Ephesians 3:20 – “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
It’s not too late to choose your word. Need a little help making your choice? Check out this article filled with suggestions. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve chosen.
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