It's what I need to do but am finding so hard. When the last weeks of December left you excited for a new year with dreams and ambitions, but January 1 found you afraid to get out of bed...And January 2nd left you ready to flush 2014 down the toilet already.
And no amount of positive thinking or preaching the Gospel to yourself seems to be doing the trick. This would-be-fighting has been left on the sidelines for fear. Fear of the past, of the future, of what might come and what might not.
So with trembling heart and hands I whisper my One Word: hope. I've been sitting on it all quiet. Afraid. And not fighting. But the truth is 2013 left me in desperate need of it...
Thank God that for me 2013 went by at lightening speed. Because if I would have had time to dwell on the numerous losses and pain I may have surely given up the fight entirely. And so I step tentatively into 2014. But stepping just the same.
Hope. I pray I can have more of it by the end of the year. I pray that planting it early and in fear leads to growth of more and of myself.
Hope...
I prayed for you just now. I pray that you can cling to hope and fight through the trials ahead. I've been in your shoes and I know how hard it is, but I for one can tell you, it is possible!!! God Bless You!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Michelle. I can't tell you how much your prayer and encouragement means to me.
DeleteFear only remains if we give it power and a place to live. Don't give it a place to live. Hold on to your hope and to Exodus 14:14. You are wonderful and beautiful and strong and courageous because He made you that way. Many blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteHopping over from FMF!
Ami, thank you. That is a great reminder.
DeleteHope is an anchor for the soul.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie. I have that on a pendant from Allume. It's good to remember those words.
Delete"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important that fear." -Ambrose Red Moon
ReplyDeleteFear is good. Letting it throw you off course is bad. You are courageous. I've seen it. Never forget it!
Renia, I needed to hear your words so badly. Thank YOU!
DeleteI just finished reading your post written on October 3, 2011. About Hope. I am a member of your tribe. I love that idea! 2013 has brought me more trials than I know how to deal with. I find myself floundering in my faith with my God. It is a struggle and that is why I chose HOPE....
ReplyDeleteWe're in a similar place in right now, Paula. Praying that your hope grows this year.
DeleteJoy, what a perfect word! And I know God will be faithful to you in this New Year. Always, always, there's hope. But I understand the fight for it, too. How the enemy would love to rob us of it. Love and prayers, friend.
ReplyDeleteJaqui, thank you, friend. I've missed you so much.
DeleteHi Joy! My word for 2014 is also hope. My word for 2013 was surrender... Sounds like we've both had a difficult 2013. God is faithful to restore, praying much hope for both of us.
ReplyDeleteJennifer thanks for stopping by. I'd love to follow your journey with Hope. Do you have a blog?
DeleteJoy, I am also resting with the word hope in the year 2014. I look forward with excitement to see how this word might transform those of us in the hope tribe as we focus upon it this year. #oneword365 ~Mary http://mskyfaith.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteMary, thank you for stopping by. I look forward to following your journey.
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