Well, it is hard to believe that 2022 is drawing to a close and we are about to dive into a New Year. Many people have a hard time with New Years because they are in a difficult situation, or a problematic season, but I want your faith to rise as you go into 2023. God would not have allowed it, if He was not going to use it. He wants to unleash your life.
Yes, we have all had challenges, some more severe than others, but I still believe "God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished" (Philippians 1:6). God will finish what he began in you. Don't allow what you are going through to keep you from growing through it. That does not mean it is easy. However, if you could not handle it (with God's help), He would not let you experience it. God not only can unleash your life in the good times, but He can still unleash your life in the challenging seasons.
God is not just God in the good. He is still God in the bad.
I believe you will become everything God designed for you. But there's a caveat to that statement. If you grow through what you are going through. So many people do not reach their potential because they hit the pause button on their purpose. They question all the why's and why nots. I have learned over 49 years of living that God knows what He is doing. Let me write that again, "God knows what He is doing." Yes, He does.
Listen to this Scripture: "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). You may not understand why God allows you to experience what you experience, but I promise you this, God still knows what He is doing. He uses everything for a higher purpose.
Three years ago, a young man from our football team was murdered on Christmas break. It was horrific, tragic, and painful. I could not believe the immense pain I watched his family go through. But they walked with such grace that it inspired me. Since that moment, I have led over 100 student-athletes to Jesus. I wish God chose another avenue, but He still used this to touch so many young people at that university. Pain turned into purpose.
Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. - Lance Armstrong
2022 may have been a challenging year for you, but I believe and declare you are about to walk into new opportunities. God is going to unleash your life with better doors, greater moments, and supernatural miracles. Don't give up.
If you want God to unleash your life here are three simple tips:
Stay focused. Keep your eyes on what God has called you to do. Don't get sidetracked by lateral opportunities. Keep the mission your vision.
Stay faithful. Lock in and stay locked in. The only difference between those that do and those that don't is not quitting. Keep pursuing the life God has called you to.
Stay fruitful. Do the things that bear fruit. Don't get stuck on everyone else's vision for your life. If you stay in your lane you will produce much fruit.
I can't wait to see what God does in 2023. Get ready. Make this your prayer: "A better me in '23." Then watch God unleash your life.
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