What Have You Gained This Past Year?

At the end of difficult days—and this challenging year, it’s easy to remember what has been lost. But how about considering all that was gained?

No, I’m not talking about the “pandemic pounds” we may have added to the scale during our weeks of lock-down and isolation. Rather, what good has come over the past twelve months?

  • Time with family and friends
  • Continued, or new employment opportunities
  • Health, in spite of illness along the way
  • Finances when spending has been tight
  • Shelter of a warm home this winter

The list could go on and on, but I think these lyrics of a gospel song from a few years ago sum up what many of us are feeling today.

“I’ve had so many tears and sorrows
Had questions for tomorrow
There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong
But in every situation, God gave me trusted consolation
And He only gave me trials to make me strong

Through it all, Through it all
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus
I’ve learned to trust in God

Through it all, Through it all
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.”
 “Through It All” by Andréa Crouch

As we look forward to the new year, let’s keep in mind the good lessons learned in 2020. God has been and will continue to be, with us through all we face—the good and the bad—in the days ahead. Happy New Year!