Fear and uncertainty are all around us, aren’t they? They seem to pummel our hearts from every direction. The evening news reports are certainly not encouraging. And yet, we stand on the brink of a New Year. Every year I take some extra time to enjoy God, seek His face, and hear what He has for me before I enter the next year. I think of it as closing one chapter well, before opening a new chapter. 

Jesus instructed us to be careful that we are not weighed down by the anxieties of life (Luke21:34). The worries of life can definitely weigh us down and create a feeling of heaviness in our hearts. How do we give this heaviness over to Christ and step into 2022 with a heart that is confident to trust God in all things? 

Psalm 105 has some great thoughts for us as to how to close the old year out well and open the New Year with confidence. The Psalmist writes, “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name, make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles and the judgments he pronounced” (Psalm 105:1-5). 

As we close out 2021 – 

Remember the Wonders He Has Done in the Past Year

The media keeps telling us that we won’t soon forget 2021. I agree. However, as believers, we need to look back with purpose and praise. As a writer, before I begin a new chapter, I have to be sure the previous chapter has ended well. Similarly, before we step into a new year, we need to finish the old year well. That means we create the space to look back and remember all that God did over the previous year.

Ask yourself the following questions:

– What were the losses I experienced during 2021? How did God meet me even in my loss? What did He teach me about grieving?

– How did God provide in 2021 when my circumstances felt impossible?  

– What miracles did God work in my life during 2021? 

– What unexpected blessings did I receive from God’s hand during 2021? 

After you’ve asked yourself these questions, write out a prayer of praise thanking God for His goodness throughout the past year.

Look Forward to What the LORD Will Do in the New Year

As we step into the New Year, think about the God you serve. He has been faithful over the past year and He will be faithful in the new year. You can trust Him. In order to focus your attention forward, ask yourself these questions:

– What attribute or character trait of God will I focus on in 2022? 

– What scripture verse or promise from God’s Word will I take with me into the New Year?

– What does God want me to prioritize in 2022?

– What dreams has God put in my heart that He wants to cultivate in 2022?

After you’ve answered these questions, write out a prayer of praise to the LORD for all He will do in and through you in 2022!
Want to dive deeper into God’s Word in 2022? Purchase a copy of The Extraordinary Power of Praise and dive into the Psalms. You will find the Psalmists experienced all the same emotions as you, but as they lifted their praise, God gave them courage. He’ll do the same for you!