How Will You Make 2019 a Happy New Year?

VW Bug

Most vehicles with wheels normally have the ability to go forward as well as backward. We've seen trains travel in reverse in order to either switch tracks or connect with a different car or caboose. But they most certainly do this quickly in order to go forward which is their main purpose to get to a new destination. 

Obviously, our cars go forward and backward so we can maneuver properly in and out of garages, parking spaces, and so forth. Yet both trains and cars constantly deal with the danger of traveling backward and avoiding an accident. Amazingly, planes have no way to move in reverse! They can only go forward on the ground. And believe it or not, crash statistics show flying is the safest way to travel. Now there is something to remember!

Making 2019 a Happy New Year
This is the New Year and we are tempted to look back over 2018 to reminisce about things that have happened to us. True, we do need to learn lessons from yesterday, but constantly dwelling on every regrettable past event is a danger to our future and similar to a train traveling backward unable to stop!

We can imagine what would happen if that occurred. Derailment. An alarm should go off in our heads right about now. We simply cannot move forward with our new lives while we are simultaneously going backward. It's so much more exciting to travel ahead and see the sites!

This is our chance. We have a New Year to celebrate and are able to make plans for a better future. You may already have vague plans in the back of your mind that you wish to activate but are not quite sure how to go about it. Or maybe you haven't found the time yet to think about plans. (Careful. Don't look backward!)

With seven days already into 2019, it's time to start your new single-again life. Grab a pen and notebook or journal and make some notes. Here we go:

My Journal

Clear Thinking. Avoid vagueness in your plans. Instead, strive for developed ideas. Write down just one specific sentence or short paragraph that describes what you wish would happen now. This gets the idea out of your head and onto paper where you can see it and start planning. 

Something New. If you've had jobs before that you didn't enjoy, list three ideas to try that you are good at even if it means accepting an entry-level position. You'll be much happier!

Building Relationships. It may be time for some new friends (while hanging on to some really good friends), especially those in your same situation. They are there. You have to look for them. This could be at a new job, a friendly neighbor, or supportive Christian friends. 

Face Forward
Looking back into your past keeps God from moving you forward. Repeat that out loud! Write it on your refrigerator. Even before you were born, God made good plans for you. Not plans for disaster (that was human error). He's just been waiting for you to face forward and listen. With God absolutely nothing is impossible. This is why you need Him in your corner, especially now. Just ask Him! 

"May he grant your heart's desires and make all your plans succeed" Psalm 20:4 (NLT).