Flipping the calendar

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

When the calendar flips to a new year, people have varying reactions. Some get nostalgic for the past, figuring that their best years are behind them. Others get depressed as they realize how many goals were not met over the past twelve months. Some get excited about the possibilities a new year brings. Others are fed up with the problems of the past twelve months and are anxious to just move on. Some people are pessimistic—they don’t get excited about the coming year because they don’t think anything will really change. Others are scared to death of the future because they dread the possibility of change.

Will the future be an improvement or a disappointment? That largely depends on you. When your life goes through an upheaval, will you seize the moment to make things better, or will you let trouble crush your spirit? When an opportunity for change presents itself, will you charge ahead thoughtlessly, hide in fear, or pray about what to do?

No one knows what the future holds—no one except the Lord. Horoscopes don’t reveal what’s going to happen. No investment counselor or meteorologist can be 100% sure of what’s going to happen tomorrow, let alone a week from now. Only the Maker of heaven and earth can see what’s in store for you in the months to come.

It’s hard to face tomorrow when you are still troubled by yesterday’s mistakes. Psychologists can try to teach you coping mechanisms, but no amount of therapy can erase the bad things you’ve done. Thankfully, God can. Jesus paid the penalty for all your mistakes when He suffered on the cross. If you are His friend, He will lift the guilt from your shoulders so you can face tomorrow with renewed energy.

At New Year’s, we can feel paralyzed by past mistakes and uncertainty over the future. Thankfully, the Lord of heaven and earth takes a personal interest in your life. He offers forgiveness through faith in Jesus. He offers the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help you navigate the weeks ahead. When troubles come, He will give you peace. Going from one year to the next doesn’t have to be stressful, if you put your faith in the Lord.