As the year draws to a close, it really is a wonder when I look
back at the past year. Yet another year has gone past and this year was not an
uneventful one. Indeed, it was a pretty tough year, but definitely not without
any lessons to behold. If we could all just stop and smell the roses and look
back on the past year, I’m sure that you will find that somehow or other you
have found yourself learning something which took part in building your
character. Life is an unending journey of learning. I’d like to share some of
the important lessons I’ve picked up along the way this year.
1 Never stray from God
Easier said than done. Seriously. I know
how it feels like being away from God. And it sucks. Big time. It has been a
pretty busy year for me and I actually allowed other things to take priority in
my life. Spiritually, it was the most exhausting year. When you slide down the
hill, it is so hard to get back up again to where you were. There were moments
when I felt it was so dark and I was just too far away from God. The feeling
gave me a realisation that I’ve been taking my relationship with God for
granted for too long. A relationship is meant to be a two way thing. Since God
keeps His part of the covenant, I should keep mine too.
2 God is forever faithful
Even in my darkest moments, I knew that God
will bring me through. Psalms 23 is the best passage to remind us of how God is
always there for us even when we “walk through the valley of the shadow of
death”. Another thing is that God has brought me through this tough year. It is
truly by His grace that I made it to the end of 2012 alive. No, I’m not talking
about the speculated Mayan end of the world. Honestly, if it weren’t for Christ
the Saviour in me, I think I would have just called it quits at some point
during the year.
3 Godly friends are essential in your life. Hard to find, hard to forget.
I thank God for the friends I have who were
there for me through this year. Godly advice is really what we have been giving
each other since we knew each other. I really thank God for blessing me with
people who really care for you and will set aside time to wait until you chill.
Thanks to you guys if you read this! You know who you are! Love you to the max!
:DD <3
4 Don’t let negativity influence you.
A lot of negative thoughts are really bad
for you and they bring you down. I’ve never had so much negative comments
before, so it kind of had a part to play in my bringing down of myself this
year. But like I said, God was faithful to bring me through. It’s always better
to stay away from the people who keep feeding negative thoughts to you before
you become depressed and go crazy.
5 Sometimes the things that irritate you the most are the things that will protect you in life.
Like mum’s nagging. Or a safety harness. I
recently went to a theme park where you have to wear safety harnesses as you
overcome obstacles which are hanging a few feet, at the minimum, above the
ground. The safety harness was really getting in the way at times. But, I knew
that without the safety harness, I would be in big danger of losing my life.
6 No fear is too big for God.
I really thank God that I am slowly
overcoming my fear of height and water! I managed to overcome the obstacles in
the theme park I mentioned. At first, I was really terrified when I first saw
how high we were. But after a while, I was dying to do more! I also am learning
how to swim again. Although not the proper way, but at least I’m in the water
again.
7 Focus on your goal
When you focus on your goal, working
towards it seems easier. Just like when I was hanging about 20 feet up in the
air, tackling the obstacle, I kept looking at the next platform. It made the experience
more fun and exciting, instead of tiring.
Keep calm and wait upon the Lord
Really. Just be still and let the Lord do
His will. In all my tests and exams, I did just that and rested in Him. I got
results better than I ever expected.
9 Be thankful for everything
The point speaks for itself. The more
thankful you are, for good and bad times, the happier you are.
I’m sure there’s a whole new exciting year ahead. 2013, here
I come :D
Blessed new year to all :D
God bless :DD
