Before you wrote your goals did you take a moment to reflect on what’s already been accomplished? Prioritizing time for reflection is equally as important as identifying your goals!
At the beginning of every year we are quick to make new resolutions and anxious to forget the last year. Don’t get us wrong, setting goals is to be admired and necessary for growth. However, taking time to reflect on what God has already done is just as important.
Living Our Priorities started because we decided to turn our journals into a blog. We explained how our journals are filled with pages of countless reflections of what God has done during the most trying times of our life.
Reflection Helps Us Remember
What kept us going after experiencing trial after trial, was looking back at what God has already done. Since God is the same yesterday today and forever, when we looked back, it reminded us of His faithfulness.
If He showed up to meet our needs then, He will show up and do it again. However, if we didn’t take the time to reflect, those pages would not have been available to remind us of His goodness.
All of us at a drop of a dime can list at least 10 things we want to do differently, 10 things that didn’t go as planned last year, or 10 new goals to help us to not repeat those same mistakes.
But at the drop of a dime, can you name 10 things the Lord did last year that kept, provided, healed, and delivered you?
Palms 103:2 (NLT) “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
Gratitude In Reflection
Every year before we make a list of the things we want to change, we first spend a week praying, fasting and reflecting on what God did. We reflect on what’s been accomplished, how we’ve been spared or delivered in different situations, protected and provided for.
This helps keeps things in perspective, and reinforces this habit with our children. It has become a teachable moment every year; a reminder for them to stop and recognize what God has done before jumping on the next goal.
When we do this, we show God gratitude for all He has done. We’re able to rejoice in His faithfulness, knowing that He will be there for us in the new season.
In The End
If you haven’t taken a moment to reflect on what God has done, we would encourage you to do so. Starting right now, write down 10 things the Lord has done over the past year. Let this remind you that He has never left you nor forsake you.
~ André and Timberley Gray
Great message! I am a big fan of reflection. I reflect back on games to see what I could have done different. I reflect back on the things I’ve done in my life that I regret. I reflect on myself. I have to be honest, with all the reflection that I do, I often fail to reflect on what God has done for me. Thank you for the reminder!
Hi Loren, thanks for the feedback. Yes, sometimes it’s good to reflect on what God has done, because He can do so much more than us! ~ Blessings
It’s so important to look back and remind ourselves what God has done! Then we are free to look forward and embrace what He is doing.
Amen Sarah! Thank you for reading.