New beginning 2022

I can’t believe we are already in 2022. Happy new year to my fellow women and all my readers. 

If you are reading this I want to say Congratulations because you made it to 2022 despite the challenges of life.

At the end of the year, most people set goals that they completely forget after the second week of February. I myself have set so many goals for the new year over the years and have failed. Now I am reticent when it comes to setting new goals. For example, I have tried to read the bible from beginning to end and never succeeded. I thank God for the new covenant. I have tried to spend at least 5 minutes of quality time with each of my children every day and have failed. Thank God for his Grace. I have attempted to do many other things that did not work, but by the grace of God, I am still standing.

This year our Senior pastor declared it was our year of « New Beginnings » I thought it was really interesting because whatever I would start would be afresh. Ladies let’s start afresh, It’s a new year! Because I fail at making goals and reaching them, I think it is better to make these three things my lifestyle: Reload, Rest and Relax.

1- Reload

According to the Webster dictionary, to reload means to put a renewed supply of funds or resources into an account. Our body, mind and soul are always in need of supply and we have the responsibility to provide the right one. We must constantly reload. 

How do we do that?  

First of all, we have to identify the need. We face hardship, challenges, exhaustion, unemployment, and so on in this life and sometimes want to give up and fall into complete discouragement. While the Bible promises us tribulations it also provides a solution. 

Secondly, we have to identify the source. What is your source? Is it your job? Your bank account? Your government? Is it your husband? Your children? Is it your church?

Lastly, the bible says in Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬ ‭AMP‬‬

We have to change our minds and stick to the fact that God is the provider. His name is Jehovah Jireh. The one who is more than enough.The one who will supply ALL your needs. No matter what the case may be, He is the creator of the Universe and can bring into existence what was not. May these thoughts never leave us this year and the years to come. If we see God as our source, if we wait on God we will naturally go to Him for EVERYTHING. We will trust Him even for the slightest details of our lives. We will develop an intimacy with Him. We will pray, fast and meditate His Word without being forced to do so. We will develop a bond and a strong relationship with Him forever.

2- Rest 

Have you ever felt like you could not keep up with this fast-growing world? Keeping up with your job responsibilities, your family, your ministry, and even maintaining your health can be challenging. Understanding and constantly reminding ourselves that rest is fundamental for our well-being is critical. Most of the time people and especially women with kids feel guilty about rest. They feel like they are abandoning their responsibilities. I remember when I was a preschool teacher. Sleeping was on the schedule for all my preschoolers. While they were refusing to sleep at nap time I used to remind them of the benefit of resting. «Sweetheart you have to take a nap if you want to grow». I even made a song out of it. Today with all that we have to do we barely find time for ourselves. 

If this can make you feel good remember Genesis 2:2 “And by the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Even God the creator of the Universe rested. 

Every time you deprive yourself of resting remember these benefits you might be missing. 

It is proven that resting 

– Boosts your immune system 

– Improves your memory 

– Restores and energizes you

– Stimulates creativity

– Slows down the ageing process

– Improves your health

This year and for the years to come we will be intentional, knowing the benefits of resting. We cannot pray, or meditate the word of  God effectively if we are not rested. It is only when we are well-rested that we get to know God.

3- Relax

 Wikipedia suggests that relaxation in psychology is the emotional state of a living being, of low tension, in which there is an absence of arousal, particularly from negative sources such as anger, anxiety, or fear. According to Oxford, relaxation is when the body and mind are free from tension and anxiety.

Rest and Relaxation are two different words that are sometimes used to express the same idea. They may serve the same purpose, but the idea we want to stretch here as far as relaxation is concerned is the removal of tension and anxiety. 

The Bible says in ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭ “casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Tension, anxiety, worry are the cause of many impediments including depression, insomnia, headache, substance misuse, digestive problems, social isolation, problems functioning at school or work, poor quality of life.

This year and for the years to come we choose to relax and read a book. If you don’t know what book to read, get Extravagant Grace by Sandy Bilong, it is a short and nice read!  We choose to be out in nature. We choose to listen to music, watch TV or write something in our journal. We choose to take time for ourselves for a foot massage, a pedicure,  for exercise, swimming, or to do some breathing exercises.

This year and for the years to come will never be the same. We will reload, rest and relax. It’s our year of new beginnings. 

If you like this article, put your comment below and share it with your friends. Remember the extravagant Grace of God is available to all vessels. 

Happy new year!