I CAN BEGIN AGAIN!

By Angela Miles

It feels like just yesterday 2023 was being ushered in, and now 2024 has arrived! Time truly goes by quickly! As you reflect over 2023, what are some of the things you remember? What did you accomplish? What did you add to or allow into your life? Who or what did you remove from your life?

If you do not believe that you did too well in 2023, always remember that you can begin again. You can re-write your life. Set new goals. Reach for new accomplishments. Endeavor to add more positive things to your life. Surround yourself with others who are moving upward and who are strong enough to allow you to be you without jealousy.

Accept yourself on every level. If there is something that you do not like, change it. Do not complain about anything unless you are willing to bring about change to it. Make sure that the mirror you are trying to see yourself in is not cracked. A cracked mirror will give a distorted view. The crack in the mirror is a wrong opinion that you or someone else may have about you that is not based on reality or truth. If you want to know about yourself, ask God and accept what He says even if you do not “feel” it. After all, He is the one that created you.

Do not spend more than a week reflecting on anything that you feel was negative in 2023. Let it go! You cannot productively move forward while looking backward. You have too much to do to spend time looking back. Your future is in front of you, so get focused.

Forgetting those things which are behind, press forward toward Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14)!  In 2024, move forward with Jesus. Let Him be the one you allow into your life. Let Him become Lord of your life! Anything negative thing you may have done, just ask Jesus to forgive you and then forgive yourself. Get up and move forward not looking back. Jesus loves you and wants you to be successful in all things. What have you got to lose? Give Jesus a try. Happy New Year!

Scripture Reference:  Philippians 3:13-14 (Amplified Bible)

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.