Hold on to the Good!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

One of the incredible benefits we receive in Christ is that He makes all things new in our lives. He gives us a new nature, a new hope, a new purpose and a new future. In Christ, we get a new start. Who doesn’t need a new start?

2013 is here and at the beginning of every New Year there is the possibility of embracing the new things that God has in store for us. I can’t believe 2012 has come and now is gone. Many of my Facebook friend’s status updates on New Year’s Eve indicated that 2012 had been a difficult year for them. I must admit 2012 was also a challenging year for me in many ways. For as long as I live, I will always remember 2012 as the year my father went to be with the Lord.  I miss him tremendously.

  

There is something about entering into a new year that always brings a fresh hope to my soul.

In Isaiah 43:18-19 the Lord says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. (19) See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

In this passage of Scripture, the Lord is reminding us to not dwell on the former things, but focus on the new things in the upcoming year. When we only focus on the unpleasant moments of the past, it causes us to not perceive the new blessing that is going to spring up in the future. God has the supernatural ability to make refreshing springs in the desert and wasteland places of our lives. He can turn that which has been barren into a fruitful place in the future.

One of the keys to entering the New Year in the right manner is practicing the discipline of letting go of the bad and holding on to the good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Test everything. Hold on to the good.”

Unfortunately, it is human nature to forget the good events and only hold on to the miserable moments of life. When we do this, bitterness develops in our soul that poisons us, and causes us to be disillusioned with life.

I am committed to entering into 2013 “holding on to the good” and releasing the disappointments of 2012. I will use them as learning lessons, make the necessary changes in my life, and move forward in faith.

How do we hold on to the good?

We do it by giving thanks to the Lord, remembering that he is good, and his love endures forever (Psalm 118:1). As our Eternal Father, his thoughts toward our future and us are positive ones.Jeremiah 29:11 says, “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.”

Remember, as you enter into 2013, make sure you leave the old behind and grab a hold of the new things God wants to do in your life.

What old things of 2012 are you releasing, and what new things are you reaching for in 2013? I would love to read your comment and pray for you!

Happy New Year!