David Petraeus’s extramarital affair; Newtown, Connecticut tragedy; Presidential elections; daredevil makes a record space jump; Facebook goes public; the iPhone 5 comes out; Whitney Houston found dead; London Olympics draws millions; Michael Phelps’ wins 22 medals; Lance Armstrong has been a champion fundraiser for cancer research but now has an asterisk next to his name for the doping scandal; Norman Schwarzkopf, Neil Armstrong, Mike Wallace, Dick Clark and Andy Griffith passed away; Fast and Furious scandal; four people were killed; including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens in the Benghazi attack; movies such as The Hobbit, Lincoln, Les Miserables hit the big screen; Hurricane Sandy devastates the east coast; gunman open fires at a showing of Dark Knight; Middle East has become more unstable with the unrest in Syria, Egypt and Gaza; Penn State scandal…
STOP!!!! Put on the brakes!!!
This list is just a glimpse of some of the events of 2012 that collided with many of us. What this list doesn’t include is what happened in your life. What were the places of struggle and the moments of joy that you experienced in 2012?
As I step into the narratives of folks I hear the good and the bad, but I also get a sense that many people feel that their 2012 was lacking in some measure.
Let me speak a tough word…SO WHAT!
Wait a minute, don’t get mad or close your browser…hear me out.
Do you believe the following?
- We are more than conquers (Romans 8:37)
- If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive (1 John 1:9)
- God’s mercies are new each morning (Lamentations 3:22 -24)
- We can do all things in Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)
- The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts (Philippians 4:7)
- God can take our past and make it part of His perfect will for us (Romans 8:28)
Here is the big question…why would you even consider dragging your problems with you into 2013? Why?
Have a wonderful start to your New Year and live courageously from your heart in 2013!!
