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Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

This has been some year. I’ve seen people miraculously saved by God’s grace, only to fall back down into their addictions. I’ve met people who I thought are solid Christians, only to discover they are just as much human, suffering through as many trials and tribulations as I do. I’m watching as my older son is becoming more amenable to hearing the Gospel and I know it’s just a matter of time until his day of salvation arrives.

Life is difficult. There is so much pain and sorrow that if I’m not vigilant, I could easily be sucked back into the black hole of despair I lived in all the years I didn’t know the Lord. I thank God everyday He pulled me out of that black hole and into His marvelous light. But life is still hard and now I have such a burden for broken people that i have to set aside my fear of that black hole and shine the light of Christ into the darkness so the broken people would see and have hope that they may also be pulled into Christ’s marvelous light.

This is such a war we face. There are so many battles. When I see someone win a battle, I rejoice in the Lord because it is truly His victory and I am so grateful because my faith increases. When I see someone lose a battle, it breaks my heart, but I must still rejoice in the Lord because, despite the battles, I know the war is already won! In order to shine the light of Christ into the darkness, I must rejoice in the Lord always! Which is why Philippians 4:8 has become a life verse for me. This verse reminds me to dwell on the goodness of God instead of the sorrow of life.

Dear God,
It is my hope and prayer for the new year that I will become braver for the sake of the Gospel, that I will be more diligent to share the Gospel in a world that so desperately needs to hear good news. I pray to shine a light so bright into this world that people would see it and be drawn to You for salvation. I ask for the Holy Spirit to fill me with such courage and discipline that I would never slack off again. I ask You Father to forgive me when I stumble and to give me the strength to get back up when I do because the one thing I have learned this year is I will stumble and I will fall, but thanks be to God for the strength to stand up again! Amen