New year. New Mindset

Be Thankful. Every Day – choose to be thankful.

Remember that you are blessed. God has blessed you with many amazing and wonderful things and people. Humble yourself and be content – realizing that God has always provided and protected. “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Don’t Lose Hope – Choose to Trust God.

God has a plan. Strive to accomplish all that he has for you – because you have purpose. Don’t give up on yourself or anyone or anything. Persevere.  “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’. Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4: 18-21)

Be Positive – Every day, in every situation, choose to be positive.

In every way, big and small, choose to keep a positive outlook. It will lighten your mood and your heart. Joy cannot co-exist with negativity – and in Christ, we have every reason to be positive and therefore find Joy.  “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out-weighs them all.” (2Cor.4”16+17)

Focus on God – Every day.

Spend time in prayer and in the word every day. Get into a good habit of putting aside time for you and God, growing in your relationship with Him. If your focus is on Him, there your heart will be also. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) “devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful..” (Colossians 4:2).

Do not Worry – Rely on His promises.

When it seems that you have lost all control and all ability to fix the problem – remember that God has everything under control. Trust in Him and he will follow through. Trust in his timing – his ways are perfect! “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1Peter 5:6+7) “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6)

No Self-Pity

Self-pity will absorb your full attention; it causes more harm than good. It WILL make you feel worse –even though it is the easy road. “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance”(2Thessalonians 3:5). “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances... I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12).

Ask for Forgiveness – Every Day.

True repentance required you to truly strive to change. Recognize and admit your sin and mistakes, allow Christ to make you new each day and strive to be better in every way. Push yourself to grow and be more like Christ! “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psalm 32: 1+2) “Therefore confess your sins to eachother and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

Depend on God – His Strength and His Grace.

Don’t rely on your own strength, rely on God’s because he will never fail you. He WANTS to help you through every trial and every challenge... let Him. “I am the Lord the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).