Faith in the New Year to expet good things may be difficult and is a worthy goal to attain in 2011. |
New Year's Faith
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ~Hebrews 11:1
Krista Dunk
Here we are at the brink of a new year--2011. We're ready to put 2010 to rest, and shift our faith, hopes and dreams into a new season. Many of us will be creating New Year's resolutions, or will be writing letters to ourselves concerning the things we're believing God for this year.
I am working on that right now myself. During the process, I had an interesting thought: Having faith, hope, and the expectation of good things to come in our lives is usually more difficult than having faith or expecting negative things to happen. Why is that?
As we think about our future, of course we pray and ask for God's blessings, wisdom and favor. Inside, however, there may be a hidden expectation for negative outcomes and circumstances. Why is this? Unfortunately, we see and hear an overwhelming amount of negative information in the world around us. Because darkness is this world's default, the vision we have for our future can be infiltrated by negativity.
Even though it is what we desire, believing for blessings, positive outcomes, healing, miracles, safety, etc., goes against the grain of our fallen world. The "pattern of this world" does not have your best interests in mind!
Repeat this Verse Daily
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Thankfully, you can be a part of God’s Kingdom system instead of the world's system. When you are, He asks you to have faith and lasting hope for the things He promises and speaks to you about. Having hope and faith in the things of God requires an intentional changing of your mindset. Each day, as you renew your mind, be purposeful about holding on to hope and faith. If you are not, it will dwindle, and the weeds of negativity will start to grow again.
God has amazing plans for His people; prosperous plans with hope and a good future. Maybe He has already spoken to you about them or shown you something for your future and calling.
As you seek Him for His plan and call for your life, pay attention to your expectations and what you have faith for. As you create goals and resolutions for 2011, move the truth of God's plan from your head (logic) to your heart (emotion). By doing so, you plant His truth in your heart, causing you to believe it and see it.
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