“If you view valleys from a gain perspective, you’ll create mountain peaks.”
Dan Sullivan
One common way to reflect upon the past year or an event is to discern the “wins” and the “losses.” Because “losses” can have a negative connotation, I prefer following my son’s reframing of this process to “wins” and “lessons.” Evaluating the year, speaking events, or holiday plans with our family by this grid helps me discern what I want to repeat or discard in the future. This allows me to focus on areas of growth.
Every loss can be turned into a lesson if we seek God for His redemptive purpose and see it from His perspective. There seems to be little gain without pain. Transformation and growth come from embracing the difficult things in life, not the easy ones. So much good comes from the hard if we only posture ourselves to see it.
As I reflect on 2024, I am reminded of the grief I experienced and am still walking through with the loss of my mom. Even though it was a very painful time, God taught me so much. I encountered the Holy Spirit as my Comforter and Counselor and learned how to grieve. I grew closer to God as I depended on Him and trusted Him to be my joy and strength. And I learned more about myself and how God made me.
When facing trials and hard lessons, ask yourself these questions. What does God want me to learn and take away from this? Who does the Father want to display Himself to be for me? What Christ-like characteristic is God highlighting here that He wants me to mature in? How will God receive the glory in this?
Through all our wins and lessons, God wants us to remember Romans 8:28-29a. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
“The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.”
John Milton
Relevant Reflection:
Spend a few minutes reflecting on the wins and lessons learned from this past year. Thank God for His faithfulness to you.
Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay
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