A Positive New Year

“A Positive New Year”

By Zach Wood

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

This time of year is big for many people to think about the past twelve months and all that has happened.  Many of us think about what we have done for the past year and what has affected our lives.  We tend to think about the good things we’ve done and regret the bad things.  Who wouldn’t regret the bad things? 

None of us want to remember or reminisce about negative things that have happened.  However, these are the very things we tend to dwell on and we get so caught up in the negative at times that we forget all the great things God has done for us, through us and in us.  Paul is very adamant to the church in Philippi that they focus their thoughts on anything that is positive and encouraging and praiseworthy.  Who wouldn’t want to focus on positive things? 

As this year comes to a close and we look into a new year, what positive things can you focus on and encourage others to be better about?  What new attitude could you have toward people and situations that maybe you didn’t react to very well this past year?  It’s wonderful when we can learn from our past so that we make better choices and have better attitudes toward things in the future.  God can use past mistakes to help us learn to make better choices as we move along in our lives each day. 

We definitely need to focus our attention to being more positive and praiseworthy, especially in the hard times when we are tempted to do nothing but complain.  I encourage all of us to make it a goal, as we begin a new year, to start each day in thanksgiving to God for all that He’s done and continues to do.