It’s not good to dwell in the past or fixate on what was, but it is wise to periodically review it.
As we recently transitioned from one year to the next, my wife and I spent time with close friends. We recalled our personal highs and lows from the year that was ending.
For those without God in their lives, the results of such an exercise could be ill-advised. For the good that happened, they might take pride in their accomplishments or celebrate the rewards of their hard work.
For the negative that occurred, they might curse bad luck or blame others.
For them it could be an empty exercise of elevating self and criticizing circumstances.
However, for us—who hold God central to our being—the results were quite different. For our joys, we praised God’s generosity, his provision in our lives. For our sorrows, we celebrated God’s comfort, his carrying us through dark times.
In both the good and the not so good, we thanked God. It was a spiritual experience. God was present. We basked in his love.
I recommend periodically taking time to reflect on the high points and the low times of our lives. Annually is a good start, though some do so more often: monthly, weekly, or even each night.
Then we can praise God for his work in our lives.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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