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How to Beat the Mid-Winter Blues

It’s January. Christmas is over. New Year’s Eve has passed. And the holiday celebrating has come to an end.

You may be feeling tired, or sad, or a bit gloomy these days.

Maybe it’s because the holiday season wasn’t what you thought it would be—for whatever reason. You’re still reeling from a hurtful comment from a friend or recovering from a sugar hangover from eating way too many sweets.

Or, maybe you were blessed to spend happy times with family and friends over Christmas and now you’re sad to see them go.

Then there’s the fact that, in most parts of the country, January is cold, gray, and dark most of the time. And that doesn’t help your mood.

Now what?

Here are three essential things I’ve found helpful to beat the mid-winter blues and start the New Year on a solid footing.

1. Get a new vision for your life. One of the best things about a new year is that you get to start over.

On New Year’s Eve, I love watching the gigantic glittering ball drop in New York’s Times Square on TV. Goodbye old year, hello new one!

To me, December 31 is like a period at the end of a very long sentence; it’s closure on the year gone by.

And, in a single instance, a new year begins. Boom! I have a fresh start. A new beginning.

With hope and joy, I anticipate all that God may have for me in the 365 days ahead. I think about what I want to change in my life and how I want things to be different—and better—one year from now.

Instead of resolutions, I make intentional prayers and ask God to bless my health and finances, my career and my community (family, friends and others). I ask him for the awesome man of God he has for me to marry and do life with together. I ask God for wisdom in how I can serve and bless others, and have courage and joy no matter what may come. I give Him praise and thank God for all He has done and for who He is—loving, wise, powerful and good. And so much more.

What about you?

What do you want to change in your life in the next year? How do you want this year to be different? Ask God to show you what He has for you so you can look forward with greater hope. and take actions steps to get closer to your goals.

2. Ask for God’s help. Many of us make New Year’s resolutions and then bail on them a few weeks, or days, later.

I don’t make resolutions any more. Why? Because in my own human strength (or should I say in my own human weakness), I can’t always keep the promises I make to change.

Instead, I pray. I ask the Lord, the ultimate source of power, love and wisdom—the One who created us and loves us most—to help me do what I cannot do on my own: change. Have self control. Set limits. Get up and go.

Real and lasting change is truly possible with God’s power at work in us.

So whether your goals for the year ahead include shedding pounds, getting out of debt, or finally doing that thing you just never get around to doing, ask God to empower you.

And then remember: Life doesn’t change one day at a time, but one choice at a time. Choice by choice, moment by moment—with God’s power at work in you—transformation happens.

3. Get inspired. Lastly, but most importantly, let God’s Word be the fuel for your faith.

Here are eight great Bible verses for the year ahead. May they give you courage, hope, and joy despite your circumstances.

The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long
Psalm 25: 4-5

As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
Psalm 71:14

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8

For we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19

“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will
do the works I have been doing, and they will do
even greater things than these, because
I am going to the Father.
Jesus, in John 14:12

Prayer for the New Year
Lord, I stand at the start of a fresh new year and I ask for Your blessing on the days ahead. Give me wisdom to make right choices. Help me to walk by faith, not my feelings. Give me strength in challenging times, and hope for better days ahead. Teach me to trust You more. And live a live filled with love and joy. I can receive all you have for me and believe for your best. For your Glory! I ask in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

By Jackie M. Johnson

New Year New Perspective: 6 Ways to Make it Better

It happens in a blink of an eye.

When the clock strikes midnight on December 31, suddenly it’s a brand new year. A blank slate.

A new beginning.

I, for one, love a fresh new year. It’s so full of potential and possibilities. Anything can happen!

I’ve been pondering what will make this year different? And how to make this year the best year yet.

How can we move from doing nothing to having goals–or from having goals to actually achieving them?

I think it starts with prayer and a change in perspective.

Here are six (6) ideas to consider for making this year a really good one:

1. Start with prayer. Take some time to talk with God about your life. Reevaluate what’s really important to you. Wait and listen for answers.

God always answers prayers. Maybe not always in the way you think He should or on your timetable. But it’s in those conversations with God that old patterns fall away and new ideas come forth.

Prayer will be the foundation for your best year yet, and for your life.

2. Ask questions. Get a notebook or a device and start answering some basic questions that will help you move forward:

What am I thankful for?

What do I need to get rid of (or let go of) in my life (e.g., bad habits, unhealthy relationships, etc.)?

What do I need more of in my life (e.g., more rest, more time with my friends, more self discipline, etc.)?

What do I really want in life?

3. Get a new perspective. As you ask yourself the questions above, don’t forget this key question: What does God have for me? The good news is that God is loving and good. He wants the best for you!

4. Make a plan and take action. Write down your top goals for the year and list action steps you want to take under each goal.

For example, if your goal is to lose 20 pounds, some of your action steps could include:

1) See my doctor.

2) Find recipes with healthy foods that taste good.

3) Make time in my schedule each week for grocery shopping, cooking and packing lunches.

4) Make a workout schedule.

5) Have a friend to call for encouragement when I don’t want to do any of these steps.

And so on.

It helps to break down your goal into smaller steps you can achieve on a daily or weekly basis.

5. Overcome obstacles. In any attempt to change, there are often roadblocks. Think about what is keeping you from what you really want. What are the obstacles and how can you overcome them?

Sure, those are big questions. As a Christ follower, I have learned—often the hard way—that I can’t make change happen in my own human strength. I need the power of God working in me and through me to make lasting changes. I need His power to take action and His power to wait.

6. Remember the basics. As you think and pray and make a plan for the new year, it’s helpful to get back to the fundamental things that help build a better life and a healthier you like: getting enough rest and exercise, drinking plenty of water, eating healthy food, getting fresh air, taking in copious amounts of God’s truth, having positive relationships (and not isolating yourself when you feel lonely), serving others, expressing your creativity, managing stress and making time for fun, play and laughter.

So pray and plan.

Take action and trust God.

Start small and don’t freak yourself out.

Remember: God is with you. And He will lovingly lead you step by step.

Thinking about making changes this year? It’s time.

The rest of your life starts right now.

By Jackie M. Johnson

Waiting for Your Dreams to Come True

We all have dreams and desires.

Things we want to accomplish—to do or to become.

Say, you want to write a book or start a business. You want to finally finish that project you’ve been working on for months (or years).

You want to get married and have a loving family. Or, have the wisdom and strength to raise the kids you have.

You want to travel or grow a fantastic garden. You want to help people across the city or around the world to have a better life.

Whatever it is, God has placed dreams in your heart.

And, He will give you the power and perseverance to accomplish your goals when those desires are His will and when you put Him first.

To me, a sunflower is a metaphor for a DREAM COME TRUE. A dream realized.

Why?

Because, like the growing cycle for a flower, we plant the seed in the soil. We first surrender, or give our dreams to God. Then He grows it.

We tend to our goals and dreams, just like we tend to a growing plant. We do our part—we pray, trust God, and take action. We do the work. We ask for help. We “water” the dream. And we wait. Which isn’t always easy.

And God, in his loving power and wisdom, does the growing.

And when the time is right, when your dream is finally realized, it’s like a beautiful sunflower in FULL BLOOM.

Victory!

Success!

Fruition.

Finally.

Here’s a short poem I wrote about the process of finally realizing your “dreams come true.”

I hope it will bless and encourage you!

DORMANT DREAMS

By Jackie M. Johnson

Desires and dreams encased in a seed,
Released in the black earth of faith.
Time to let go of what I think I need,
And hold on to the hope of His grace.

Longingly gazing at empty brown dirt
Can’t make your dreams grow any faster.
For the seed in the soil is dormant, not dead.
Look up, to the face of the Master.

Call out for courage, have patience, have faith!
A mystery’s unveiling, my friend.
For a small, simple seed can yield sunflower gold.
Surely, this isn’t the end.

In the fullness of time, resurrection.
The earth births a tender young shoot.
Nurtured and tended with strong, loving hands
The flower grows deep, solid roots.

And the seedling unfolds to a blossom,
Pure artistry formed in the dark.
In His perfect timing the Harvester brings
Fruition to desires of the heart.

— Jackie M. Johnson

Photo: Zszen John, Pexels

Photo by Zszen John: https://www.pexels.com/photo/selective-focus-photo-of-yellow-sunflower-2651796/

By Jackie M. Johnson

How to Have a Better New Year–and New You!

A new year is just around the corner. It’s a blank slate. A chance to begin anew.

365 days full of wild hope and possibilities.

On the brink of a new year, millions of people will make New Year’s resolutions, only to break them by January 2 (if not sooner).

Not you, of course. You’ve thrown off “resolutions” years ago.

Instead of resolutions, you make new GOALS every year. Or, you don’t. You just wing it. And hope for the best.

Either way. I have another idea for 2022.

How about two simple questions:

1. WHO you want to become this year?
2. What you want to DO differently this year?

First, your character. Who do you want to become?

A kinder person? A more joyful person?
A more courageous and bolder person?
Someone who listens more?
Someone who is more other-centered, and less self-centered?
Ponder this. And consider what you want to change about yourself in the next twelve months.

Second: What do you want to do differently this year?

Making changes starts as you look back. Review and reflect. How was the last year for you? What are you grateful for from the past year?

Then, look ahead. What do you want to stop doing, start doing or keep on doing? Keep it simple. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many changes at once.

Experts say your goals should be specific, not vague. Instead of, “I plan to lose weight.” (vague) say something like, “I plan to lose 20 pounds by the 4th of July.” (specific).

If you want to go a step further, some say to frame your goals in a positive way, not a negative way.

Like saying “shed pounds” instead of “lose weight.” It’s up to you how detailed you want to be about that.

Whatever you decide to do—whether it’s lose 20 pounds or reduce debt by 50% or start a new online business—do it for yourself. Not because someone else is pressuring you to do it.

Also, don’t listen to the cynics who want to crush your dreams. They have their own issues. Instead, focus forward on your own goals.

And reward yourself when you make progress!

Finally, which should actually be first and foremost, look up.

Ask God for wisdom and direction as you make goals for 2022. No one expects you to make life happen on your own.

Life can be hard, messy, and disappointing. Thankfully, our loving and powerful God is our helper, our healer and our provider. He is our strength.

And He has the power to make real and lasting changes in our lives.

It’s the same power that raised Jesus Christ from death to life—and it is available to you and me.

In fact, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life…” (2 Peter 1:3)

How does that happen? The verse goes on,

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (full verse)

When we “know God” not just “know about” Him—when we choose to accept Christ into our lives and let Him change us to be more like Him—everything changes.

With Christ living inside of us, we have the power to change.

God helps us to do things we simply cannot do in our own human effort.

Now that is a gift!

New year, New beginnings

So, what will you choose to do?

Take time to reflect on this past year.

Look forward with hope—and a few goals—to the year ahead.

Maybe even choose a word or phrase for the year (like COURAGE or HOPE or A NEW YOU in 2022! Or whatever is meaningful to you).

Whatever you choose to pursue in the year ahead, know that the Giver of Dreams and the One Who Loves You Most, our great God, is FOR you, and He is WITH you.

As for me? I choose to have wild hope, extravagant hope, for God’s BEST in 2022 for each of us.

Blessings to you!
Jackie M. Johnson

P.S. Let me know in the COMMENTS below what one of your goals is for the New Year?

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

By Jackie M. Johnson

Beating the Midwinter Blues: 3 Ways to Get Your Joy Back

Snow. Extreme cold. Tornadoes. More snow! Winter seems to be dragging on. And you might be feeling a bit gloomy, or sad, or way too tired these days.

Need help beating the Midwinter Blues?

Here are three essentials I’ve found helpful to get your joy back. It’s time to get inspired and look forward with hope!

1. Get a new vision for your life. One of the best things about life is that you get to start over. Every single day. Not just on New Year’s Day.

You can start fresh, or keep on going, right now. Boom! A fresh start. A new beginning.

New choices can lead to incredible and good changes.

What do you want to be different in your life? Think about what you want to change in your life and how you want things to be better. What do you want to see happen 30 days from now? 90 days? One year from now?

Instead of “resolutions,” I make intentional prayers and ask God to bless my health, finances, career, and my community (family, friends, church and others).

I ask God for an amazing man to marry and do life with together. I ask God for wisdom in how I can best serve and bless others. And to have courage and joy no matter what may come.

I give Him praise and thank God for all He has done and for who He is—loving, wise, powerful and good.

What about you? Ask God to show you what He has for you, and look forward with purpose and passion, hope and joy!

2. Ask God to empower you. A lot of people make new goals and then bail on them a few weeks (or days) later. Why? Because in our own human strength, we can’t keep the promises we make.

Sure, we may have good intentions. We want to do the right thing or make changes in our lives, but self control doesn’t come easy.

So we give up, get bored and get a pizza.

Instead, I ask the Lord in prayer to help me do what I cannot do on my own. I need his SUPERNATURAL wisdom to know what to do, and the power do do it well.

God created each of us. For His good purposes. He’s the one who loves us most—and He will empower us to do what we cannot do: change.

Real and lasting change is possible with God’s power at work in us.

So whether your goals include losing four pounds or forty pounds, getting out of debt or finally doing that thing you just never get around to doing, ask God to empower you and help you.

And then remember: Life doesn’t change one day at a time, but one choice at a time.

Choice by choice, moment by moment—with God’s power at work in you—transformation happens. Change comes.

3. Get inspired. Lastly, but most importantly, God’s Word is the fuel for our faith. So pull out your Bible or read one online.

Here are eight great Bible verses for the days ahead. May they give you strong hope, good courage, and joy despite your circumstances.

The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25: 4-5

As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
Psalm 71:14

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8

For we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19

“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Jesus, in John 14:12

Get a vision. Get empowered. Get inspired!

One day, maybe soon, winter’s blasts will cease and springtime will come. And you, my friend, will be ready for better days ahead.

With God’s help, you can do this!

Additional Resources

by Jackie M. Johnson

Power Prayers for Women
Prayers with Purpose for Women
Praying with Power When Life Gets Tough
When Love Ends and the Ice Cream Carton Is Empty

By Jackie M. Johnson

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