Looking Ahead with Hope

Posted by HeatherL | 0 comments

Hello my friends and welcome to a new year! Do you look forward to this year with delight and a vision in your heart? Are you excited? This year many of us are not so excited about the new year. Whether you are facing unemployment, sickness, rough finances, or any number of life aggravating issues, I understand the feelings of sadness and uncertainty.

When my husband was still a college student we had little money and many medical bills. We had a lovely little girl, but we were mourning the loss of our second daughter. It was a sad Christmas. Christmas rolled into the new year and frankly I wanted to pull the covers back up over my head and ignore everything.

How did I get back from that low? How can you look ahead to this year with hope?

Start with Christ!

Psalm 46:1,2a God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear,

Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

How can we take this scripture and use it in our lives?

Saying stop fearing or worrying is easy but the doing is hard.

Let us start with some simple tips.

• Memorize the scriptures from above or other scripture that help you rely on the Lord for your strength and refuge.
• Write down that you are giving this year to the the Lord. By writing it down you are making a commitment and making a record you can return to, to draw strength from.
• Talk to your husband about your fears. Sharing a burden will lighten the load.

You can turn this uncertain year into a stellar life changing year! Think of all the good things simply changing your outlook can affect. Your children who watch everything you do will notice your “can do” happier attitude and respond. By following God’s Word you will be rewarded with a closer relationship with the Lord and a deeper understanding of your Christian walk.

Back to me under the covers wishing the world would go away. I didn’t know it but I was suffering from depression. I got so bad that I wondered if anyone would notice if I just disappeared. I never wanted to harm myself. I just wanted to disappear until things somehow got better. Are you that low?

Please if you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or your loved ones, have continual thoughts of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness or if you are sleeping all the time or you cannot sleep, these are signs of depression.  Please go see your doctor or pastor. You need to talk to someone to help you get back out of that sad and lonely place.

This year is uncertain but not lost. We can choose to make it a better year. Leaning on God for our strength, wisdom, and protection we will make 2010 a wonderful year! What are some of your ideas on making this year wonderful?

Heather Laurie and her husband, Christopher, have been married for 13 wonderful years, and have been blessed with 7 children, two of whom are awaiting them in Heaven. They began their homeschooling journey eight years ago, amidst trials and unexpected journeys, including genetic disorders, austism, sensory disorders, and lupus. Heather and her husband created the ministry Special Needs Homeschooling as a way to use their trials for the Lord’s glory and to encourage special needs parents and homeschoolers.