"Be so busy loving your life that you have no time for hate, regret or fear." ~ Unknown
This is the life I choose to live. Negativity is always present if I decide to focus on it. We live in a fallen world where evil exists. However, the presence of evil implies the existence of good. What I concentrate on will flourish in my life. In Matthew 7:7, Jesus states, "Seek and you will find." As my pastor frequently says, this verse does not specify that you will only find what you seek if you pursue good. It suggests that whether you seek good or evil, you will indeed find what you seek. So, if I'm going to find what I'm looking for, I choose to look for the good. The theory of confirmation bias states that what I think is true is what I will be most likely to see. I find it interesting to see how recent research confirms what Jesus had already told us.
So, how do I intend to be busy loving life this year? Here are a few ways I'm planning to move forward into a positive year.
Firstly, I will anticipate the unexpected and believe that it will bring positivity into my life. Romans 8:28 states, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Therefore, I will live assured that if He allows something into my life, He will turn it into something good. Sometimes this has to be accepted by faith before it is seen in reality. God doesn't think the way I think or act the way I would act. And far too often, I think I already know how He should be working something out and get impatient or fearful when things don't seem to be going the "right" way.
Now, I am not saying that everything that comes my way will be good, or that I will always like it. But I have a choice in where to place my focus - the evil Satan is trying to perpetuate, or the good I know God will bring from everything that He allows (not necessarily causes) in my life. Because, in the end, Satan always loses.
Next, I will cultivate a life of gratitude. I am thankful for many things—warm sunshine, friends and family, salvation, coffee (I'm grateful for coffee every day!), good books, warm blankets, laughter... the list is endless. Studies show that the benefits of gratitude include improved health, both mental and physical, better-quality sleep, stronger relationships, more empathy and less aggression, and greater mental strength with reduced depression and anxiety,
As I progress in life, I permit myself to leave the past behind. Proverbs 4:25 advises, "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you." I appreciate the lessons learned in the past, but I choose not to live there. As long as I am on this earth, God has a purpose for me, something He wants me to look forward too as He leads me. As Philippians 2:13 says, "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him." As long as He is working in me to do what pleases Him, I trust it will be good, because He always seeks what is best for me, and I can trust Him with that.
Knowing that God is working in my life for my good and His glory, and recognizing that He treats everyone equally, I will strive to see those around me through His perspective. I will focus on their potential instead of their shortcomings. I want to be that person who celebrates the growth of others instead of always criticizing and pointing out faults. God has a special plan and a place for every person He created, and it is not up to me to assume the worst and be judgmental about others.
With my mind open to seeing the positive in life and confident in God working for my good and the good of those around me, I will start embracing new opportunities, embark on new adventures, learn new things, and forge new connections with those around me. "For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." ~ Isaiah 43:19 According to some studies, people who try new things, introducing variety into their lives, are more likely to have positive emotions, while negative emotions are minimized. There is a center of the brain, dubbed the "novelty center" linked to the hippocampus and the amygdala. New experiences can activate this system and trigger dopamine pathways, making us feel rewarded.
And I will work hard knowing that the reward is coming. In the process, I will learn new things, grow through challenges, strengthen relationships, and enjoy new adventures. I'm looking forward to 2025!
To learn more about why I write, and why I share my life here, please read this post - Uniquely You, For a Purpose.
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