New Life

Mary Arcement Alexander

“Therefore, if anyone in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Happy New Year, brothers and sisters! I pray your 2021 began with joy, good health and hope for all the good things yet to come. I know the majority of humans around the world were beyond ready for 2020 to end (with good reason), but as I am sure most of you have realized, it is just another year. I do not say this to be negative or pessimistic; I say it because I believe too many people put too much emphasis on 2021 being different simply because it is a new year. Unfortunately, that is not how it works. Time is just time, a new year is just a new year. What makes anything different in our lives are our thoughts and behaviors (reactions). Thoughts and behaviors are the only two things we have control over as humans. As Christians, we know only God has total control, yet somehow we “forget.” If you sincerely want new beginnings, a new life in 2021, you must change your thoughts and behaviors, you must allow God to be in control and you must stop taking the control from Him.

Why do so many people try to take control from God while simultaneously saying, “Let go, Let God?” I can sum up this answer in three words: we like control. Right about now some or perhaps a lot of you are shaking your head in disagreement, but humor me for a moment and ponder on these questions: How do you honestly feel when your spouse or others make decisions for you? How do you feel when one of their decisions does not

feel good or perhaps does not feel right? If you are being honest with yourself, you will answer with “I don’t always like it.” When we allow God to have control in our lives we may again find ourselves saying, “I don’t always like it.” The biggest difference between those two scenarios is God’s decisions for our lives are good, they are always right for us, and they always come from His immense love for us. He will not lead you astray nor will He ever sabotage your life. He desires for us to live the life He has planned for us. He desires for us to create a new life through Christ who came to save us. How are you creating a new life through Christ? What are you willing to do to have a new life through Christ? I encourage you to take time today to answer both of those questions while in conversation with God. Allow Him to both guide you and inspire you.

If at this point in your reading you are still struggling with how to change your thoughts and behaviors in order to have a new life, here are a few suggestions:

First, bring awareness to what you are thinking as well as how you are behaving/reacting (change occurs after self-awareness.) Second, actively change your thoughts (think about what you do have versus what you do not have). Third, avoid using negative words such as “can’t,” “don’t,” “isn’t,” “never” or “always.” Fourth, focus on the life you want versus the one you do not want. Fifth, act accordingly (if you think in kindness and love you will act in kindness and love). Finally (and most importantly), Keep your eyes on Jesus’ face. Although Peter ultimately fell into the water, initially he kept his eyes on Jesus’ face which led him to think differently, which led him to act differently (walking on water). “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” ”Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came to Jesus (Matthew 14:28-29).

Brothers and sisters, the old is gone and the new is here. Let us rejoice in God’s goodness and trust He is with us every step of the way. As you step out of 2020 and into 2021, look to Jesus, walk to Him, and know that new life awaits you.

Mary Arecement Alexander is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Shreveport, LA. You can read more on her blog, www.throughhiseyes.love