When the New Year Starts and You Feel Lost

An uncomfortable feeling set in on December 31. I already knew my word for 2018—Enough, but unlike a few weeks ago when Enough felt like a good fit, I was getting nervous about it. By January 1, feeling uncomfortable moved to feeling unsettled. I was restless and unsure about what to expect this year and where my word Enough fit in.

We’ve been in an unresolved situation for quite a while now, but for the past 3 years, something was in the works when New Year’s Day rolled around—plans to try something new, upcoming doctor visits, insurance red tape to work through…whatever it was had me busy. This year, there’s nothing for me to work on, and it has me feeling lost.

I keep thinking there has to be something I can do, but it’s out of my hands…and I’m struggling to accept that.

Maybe that’s where my word fits in. I’ve done all I can do and it was enough. Now, all I can do is keep praying. I don’t even want to tell you that my immediate thought was, But that’s not enough! And in the very same moment, I reminded myself that it is more than enough.

I have to wait and see where God leads us and what He asks me to do next. I need to wait on Him and keep praying. {Tweet this} (Why is that still so difficult?!?) And be ready to move when He calls me to move.

I need to trust Him because I know that no matter what I can and cannot do, He is in control…and that’s always better than the control I’d like to think I have.

Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me; but He has said to me, 
“My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” 
Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 AMP

Afterward:

After writing this post, I realized I started feeling better. Sometimes identifying what’s causing the unsettled feeling is enough to calm it down. But, what really brings peace to our restless hearts is inviting Jesus into every moment. {Tweet this} (I don’t pretend I’m an expert at this.) I do this through journaling, reading God’s Word, and of course, prayer.

If you’re hesitant to try journaling, I was too. When I finally decided to try it, I was preoccupied with perfection (no mistakes, no crossed out words, and only black or blue ink.) Eventually, I was able to let go of my need for perfection. I realized that my journal is for me, not for others to read. I have more mistakes and crossed out words when I’m upset, and when I’m upset, my journal is the place to pour that out. So, I don’t worry about that anymore. Oh, and now I love color—all sorts of colored ink, gel pens, and felt tip markers. The more color, the better.

If you’re looking for an easy way to try journaling without cost or commitment, click on my Resources page, and help yourself to my journaling printables.

How are you doing so far this year?

In Christ,

Laura

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