Peace & Confidence
I have never been big on new year resolutions, mostly because I can’t seem to make realistic goals… so I never end up completing them. However, I have come to enjoy picking a new word for the year. This year, I couldn’t decide between two words, so I am claiming both!
Peace: As someone who struggles with anxiety and tends to be a perfectionist, peace isn’t something often at the forefront of my mind, especially when I am in a place where I still feel like I am stumbling through my days. Yet, I am promised that “the peace of Christ transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). I want to claim peace over my schedule. While my days are all lined up with things to do, instead of stressing out over changes or things out of my control, I want to rely on peace. Peace that no matter what happens, it was still productive, it was still good, and it had value. I want to claim peace over my relationships, my work, and my purpose. My life here is my purpose for this year, and I want others to see His peace reign! When I doubt my effectiveness or strategy or purpose, I want to recall the peace that is promised and cling to it with hope. I am praying PEACE over 2022!
Confidence: This year, I would like to gain confidence in two areas. First, I would like to be confident in claiming the Peace of Christ over all my days. I want to act, speak, and talk with confidence about the Lord, to the Lord, and with the Lord. I want to be confident in claiming His promises, expecting His peace, and accepting His grace. Secondly, I would like to pursue confidence in myself. As mentioned, my anxiety and perfectionist tendencies often leave me doubting myself. In a location where I don't fully speak the language, understand all the cultural nuances, and still fell like I am finding my footing, I want to have confidence that the Lord is confident in me and where He has placed me. This year, I want to be confident in who I am as well as who I am becoming. I want to be confident in the questions I ask, the friendships I seek, and even the way I structure my day. I don’t want to constantly be worried if I am doing the “right” thing or living my life depending on other people’s expectations - I want to be confident that I was put in this position for a reason and that the Lord will guide me through it.
2022 - I am claiming peace and confidence over you! What do you claim?