The year of new beginnings and hope! This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!! (Psalm 118:24, ESV)
The year 2020 was unexpected and so tough for all of us. I’m sure some have been through life changes of either the uncertainty of finances coming in, health scares, unemployment, routine changes, or wondering if we’ll have enough food to last the week. In the year 2021 we have to have faith and believe that it will get better. We need to change our mindsets to believe that we are the children of the Most High God and He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). God is on our side. You are probably thinking or saying, “maybe for you…you don’t know my life.” Well, let me ask you these questions. Did you wake up this morning? Were you able to complete a daily task today? If you have children, have you given God thanks for them? Did you wake up with a roof over your head (it doesn’t matter if the roof is at your mom’s house, a friend or family member’s home, a shelter, or a car)? Do you have the internet to read this post right now? These questions can go on and on. These are the small things that we need to remember to be thankful to God for and not take for granted.
This pandemic is just temporary! Yes, tem-po-rar-y. Can you say that out loud with me? Come on…say it out loud, so you can hear it and believe it. This pandemic is temporary!! Again, this pandemic is temporary. Do you know why it is temporary? Because all major illnesses or diseases such as smallpox (1492), yellow fever (1793), and influenza/H1N1 (1918), that were spread world-wide are now all conquered. This happened by either by a vaccine, or like influenza people awoke healthy, and most importantly many are healed by God. Did you notice the years when these diseases were spread? Let’s remember that we are living in the year 2021! We will get over this! Isaiah 41:10 says, “…do not fear, for I Am with you; do not be dismayed, for I Am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” With my two eyes, I have seen people healed, redeemed, and lives changed. Do not have fear in these hard times. To think of no fear would be a contradiction to what you are hearing in the news and what it is feeding your spirit. No hope. No cure. No ambition for tomorrow. But I tell you today that we are so much more advanced in medicine and we also need to be strong in our faith.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV
Being strong in our faith is what gives you hope and joy in your life. Life without faith is hopeless. When we need hope, read the Bible. The Bible has so much to say about your future. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). We have to change our mindsets and realize what God has done for us during this pandemic. Let’s notice the ways that He has sheltered us, clothed us, fed us, and sustained us. Look at the big picture. Don’t look at the small details. The details are the journey we are currently going through, but the big picture is what God has brought us to. Can you think of one thing that happened to you or one happy thing that happened right after? Now I’m not talking about within the next hour or next day. I’m talking about an incident that you thought to yourself, God help me with this one and all of a sudden your prayer was answered in an unexpected way? Those are the little miracles we have to be thinking and thanking God for. Let’s not take for granted all the little achievements. If we overlook these achievements and we will overwhelm ourselves with the details in life that will then weigh us down. God wants us to be uplifted, not sad. He wants us to be walking in empowerment, not failure. He wants us to walk in hope, not hopelessness.
Let’s choose to walk in love. How do we walk in love? By thinking of others. During these hard times, people are in need of something. Something as simple as smiling at someone else. Okay, so we are wearing masks (for now) so they can’t really see a smile. But we can still give them a “masked smile” and nod our heads. Help someone if you are able or have the resources. Give a listening ear to someone who has something going on in their lives. Doing something nice for someone else will bring joy to your spirit. We need to encourage one another and build each other up so we all can demonstrate and help others feel God’s love (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
I started this blog with a Scripture from Psalm 118:24, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,” because each day is a gift from God. Don’t waste it away. We all have a calling or purpose in life. What has God called you to do, that you haven’t been able to do because you have had so much on your plate? Do you seem to have time on your hands since this pandemic? Maybe you can start that business. Make steps to believe for and buy your dream house. Reach out to a loved one. Start fostering relationships. Start that ministry you’ve been talking about for years. What is your passion or heart’s desire? The year 2020 was a year of “vision,” but many things (including the media, life circumstances, unexpected troubles) have tried to blur our vision. Let’s make 2021 a new year to achieve your dream, your calling, your aspirations. God loves you, He is proud of you, and He created you to be who you are today. Ask God how He wants you to move forward. God will not put a desire in you that you are not capable of achieving.
“…the joy of the Lord is your strength…”
Nehemiah 8:10, NIV
The year 2021 is a year of new beginnings and hope! I believe in you and you should too. You are fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14) Start something new today, you will not regret it.
Prayer:
God, help us today to see our new year 2021 as a year of prosperity, of hope, a year of new beginnings, a year of health, and a year of wonderful things. Help us to know you are here with us every day. Father, help us to believe that this pandemic is temporary and you are the only faithful One and the One who keeps His eternal promises. Help us remember Your Word that says, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,” (Isaiah 40:31) in Jesus Name, Amen.
The Love Project Copyright © 2021 Valeriana Allende. All rights reserved.
The Love Project by Valeriana Allende 