New Year, New Struggles, New Opportunities

by David Rollert

The beginning of a new year is a fascinating time. Many people optimistically make plans and resolutions for the coming year, deciding what they want to accomplish and feeling excited about what the year may bring. Others might feel indifferent about the new year, anticipating another year of the same old grind. Some people may even dread the new year, fearing some unknown event or dreading challenges it may bring, and feeling concerned that they will not live up to some standard.

However you view the new year, one thing is for sure: it will be a new year with new opportunities, new challenges, new struggles, new joys, and new pains. The question we should consider is not “what will the year bring?” but, rather, “what will I do with whatever comes?” Consider these scenarios:

When you encounter someone who seems interested in talking about Christ, will you clam up in fear because you don’t know what to say? Or will you prepare for that eventuality by practicing what to say? “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

When you face strong temptation in an area you struggle with, will you give in and fall into sin because it’s so easy? Or will you fight back and strive to overcome the temptation? “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

When something bad happens - you get injured or sick, a close loved one dies, you lose a friend over religion, or some other bad event – will you curse God for your trials? Or will you see it as an opportunity to learn patience and reliance on God? “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

When something joyous happens - a close friend comes to Christ, there is a wedding, children are born, or some other happy event – will you choose to focus on the negatives that might happen? Or will you choose to enjoy the event to its fullest? “[Love] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:6-7)

We cannot predict exactly what will happen to us through the year, but we can decide how we will react to whatever comes our way. Let’s trust God, and face the year with the joy of the Lord!