Looking Back

As this year comes to a close, I hope you take a little time to look back and reflect on what the Lord has done in your life these last 12 months. Something I started doing a few years ago was to record in my journal, what I viewed as the "highlights" from the previous year. It serves two purposes... First, it allows me that time to work my way through the year, remembering what took place, and seeing how God was at work in all of the situations and events that stand out. Sometimes, you need the benefit of a little time passing to fully appreciate what took place and how His hand was active.

The second thing this exercise does is to create a "permanent" record of what God has done in your life. If you journal on a regular basis, you probably have most of these important events already written down, as they happened. However, the beauty of looking back is that you have that additional time to see what else God may have done and how else He may have used that situation. The permanent part is important because there will come a time when you may need to be reminded of what God can do. You may need some help recalling all of the things that He has done in your life. Being able to go back in time in this way can help revive our faith in times of spiritual dryness or need.

1Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 2Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 3Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 4Look to the Lord and his strength;seek his face always. 5Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced

"Remember the wonders that he has done, his miracles..." and "Give praise to the Lord... Sing to him... Glory in his holy name... rejoice". When we do all of these things, it makes it easier for us to, "look to the Lord and seek his strength." The more you remember and share the wonderful things He has done in your life, the easier it is to trust Him as you move forward. And the more you share these things with others, the easier it makes it for them to trust Him, as well. When we share our faith building stories, it helps build the faith of others.

So take a little time today, or in the next few days, to remember what God has done in your life in 2014. Write it down. Give praise to Him for it. Tell others about it. And trust that just as He was there for you in the past, He will be there for you in the future.

Image Credit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/94806600/make-known-his-deeds-psalm-1051-8x10in
Location: Milton, GA, USA

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