"When we start praising God for all the great things He has done, there's little time left for whining or worrying. Joy is a function of gratitude, and gratitude is a function of perspective. You only begin to change your life when you begin to change the way you see."
Liz Curtis Higgs
I typically bring one year to a close and usher in the next by reading through my journal to remind myself what God has done and the prophetic words He's spoken over me. It's so easy to forget unless I make it a point to remember. As 2024 ends, I reflect on God’s faithfulness.
On the day we celebrated Christmas, the remnants of opened gifts were visible: bows stacked in a bowl and wrapping paper torn on the living room floor. After the gifts have been opened, delicious food has been devoured, guests are gone, and life slows down, it's time to express gratitude to those who have given us gifts. Likewise, at the end of 2024, it's time to write a thank you note to the Creator and Giver of all good gifts, thanking Him for all He's given.
Parents love to shower gifts and blessings upon their children at Christmas and throughout the year, and it's always nice to hear a grateful response. In the same way, because God delights in giving His children gifts, He doesn't need our thanks and praise but wants our hearts to be grateful. He instructs us to be thankful, even for the things we may take for granted, as gratitude expresses our humility.
How has God encouraged your heart this past year? What fruit has He birthed through your life in 2024? How have you seen His faithfulness, and how has your intimacy grown with God these past twelve months? Thank Him. Praise Him. Express your gratitude to Him. Then, look forward to 2025 with anticipation, watching wide-eyed to see God "do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20).
I can't think of a better way to close out this year and bring in the new than by having thanksgiving in our hearts and praise upon our lips to God. Join me in declaring to God, "Your works are wonderful, I know that full well" (Psalm 139:14b).
"Our worlds reel unless we rejoice. A song of thanks steadies everything."
Ann Voskamp
Relevant Reflections:
1. Looking back on 2024, what has the Lord done for you?
2. Write God a thank you note, praising Him specifically for His obvious and not-so-obvious wonderful works in your life.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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