As a mom and as a teacher, I have to admit I have used this phrase more times than I can count!
Fighting? Stop it!
Running in the hall? Stop it!
Arguing with me? Stop it!
Teasing your sisters? Stop it!
Talking incessantly? Stop it!
Writing plurals with apostrophes? Stop it!
But do you know who else I need to use this phrase with?
The enemy!
Especially this time of year!
With the new year, many a plan is made where the enemy tries to sabotage God’s goodness.
He tells us things like…
Make a plan to lose weight… you’ll be happier!
Declutter your house, put all Christmas away, get new things….you’ll feel better!
Save money, make more money, budget…you’ll be glad you did!
These things are not bad things to do.
However, when our efforts and our expectations are centered around things of this world, chances are we are going to be disappointed. At some point.
All the marketing…all the deals….all the promises…all sound great. YOU can do it! THESE THINGS will satisfy you, sustain you. Do what makes YOU happy. PAY ATTENTION to all the SUCCESS stories! Look at her, be like him! Try a little harder. Do a little more; be more.
But instead of setting our sights on what the enemy tells us will make our 2024 a great year, what if we focused on God’s promises and rested in His goodness instead.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
What if we told Satan to STOP IT!
Stop telling us we are not enough.
Stop telling us that we need to follow what the world tells us in order to be content.
Stop telling us we need to compare or that it’s not fair.
Stop pointing out our faults and our failures.
Stop the lies. Just STOP IT!
And, as we stop Satan, let’s go ahead and look forward to the new year!
Let’s establish our goals. Make our resolutions and build the plans…
According to His will.
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 (NIV)
Leaning into His Word.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Trusting Him. Following Him.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Delighting in His goodness.
“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.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And, living in His love.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 (NIV)
As I ring in the new year, I wish you all a very Blessed and Happy New Year.
And, I hope you all know how much I appreciate each of you, each time you read my blog, each comment, each piece of encouragement and support. And, I look forward to sharing more of my heart, my faith, and my writing with you in 2024!