How Have your New Year’s Resolutions Been Going?
What are your New Year’s Resolutions? And how have they been going?
One of the top things on my list was to start running consistently again. I used to run regularly in university, so it had been a few years. However, it was something I loved, so I decided to make it a priority.
I carefully researched new plans and upcoming races. I made the necessary changes to my nutritional plan and eagerly awaited it.
After the first few days, there was a lot of pain in my hip that only intensified with every workout session. It seemed to burn more with every step I took.
I had been experiencing some pain in my hip prior, but I was set on pushing through and building strength.
Yeah…that would not be happening. So, I booked an appointment with my chiropractor.
It turns out my hip was pretty inflamed and messed up, but something that can be fixed within a few visits.
I am not the most patient person, so having this pain for months, with it being elevated at the start of this month, was less than ideal. I had my goals and ambitions in mind and was not keen on a setback.
So why am I sharing this with you?
Because I’m sure, many of us have experienced what we perceived as setbacks throughout life.
These are the things in life that prevent us from accomplishing our goals or doing the things that we love to do.
This minor setback has reminded me that my hope, identity, and true sense of fulfillment is in God alone. That even when I do not perform my best or have to take a step back to go forward, He still calls me child.
Yes, we were created for good works, but our ultimate hope is not in what we do. It is found in the one who makes all things new.
A verse that has stood out to me in my devotions is Isaiah 55:8, which states:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”
This verse speaks of God’s compassion for His beloved children. Although we can ask questions, there will be some parts of life we will not fully understand this side of heaven. And that is okay.
Maybe you have experienced something that feels like a setback in your life.
It could be anything that causes us to delay our best-laid plans. Perhaps you have experienced this recently or are currently experiencing it right now.
It could be a diagnosis you weren’t expecting. Or mental illness that feels debilitating at times. Or instability when it comes to your job.
Maybe it is something that most would consider “small,” but it is getting in the way of you picking yourself back up.
Regardless of what it is, we are given a promise: God knows what He is doing.
He allows us to experience things at times but never once does He remove His hand from His children.
We are giving the steadfast hope that the author of life is not finished writing His story. As followers of Christ, we are part of that story.
We are promised that the same God, whose ways are higher than ours, promises to work everything together for our good (Rom. 8:28).
Does that mean it will always look the way we imagine? Or happen within our time frame?
No. However, as believers, we are guaranteed that we never have to walk alone.
Blessings,
