Twenty things God is teaching me in 2020; Fall is a great time to reflect.

I love the fall season and it is such a wonderful time for reflection. Setting goals, tracking progress, accomplishments, triumphs, and reflecting on the lessons learned help us to move forward and grow more each year. A lot of things have happened in 2020, from the current pandemic to other challenges, getting to slow down and spend more time at home. Whether good or bad, each moment holds lessons from God. Some of these things, I have blogged about over the past year, and others are now closer to my heart having experienced the ups and downs of 2020.

Twenty things God has been teaching me and reminding me in 2020 are:

1. Start where you are and do what you can do.
   • Zechariah 4:10 NLT – “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…”
2. Wait on God’s timing.
   • Habakkuk 2:3 NASB – “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.”
3. State disciplined/focused. Forget about the past.
   •  Philippians 3:13 HCSB – “Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead.”
4. Keep a good attitude.
   • Philippians 4:8 NIV – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
5. When you experience setbacks, step back, trust God, and wait as it may not be permanent.
   • Isaiah 26:3 ESV – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you.”
6. Plan your action steps and take precautions.
   • Proverbs 16:3 ESV – “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
7. Enjoy friendships and encourage others.
   • 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
8. Be thankful.
   • 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
9. He is strong and I am weak.
   • 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV – “And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
10. We can’t control other people but we can pray for them.
    • Luke 6:27- 28 NLT – “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”
11. Work hard.
    • Proverbs 14:23 NASB – “In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.”
12. Take time to rest and enjoy God’s creation.
    • Matthew 11:28 NIV – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
13. Do not fear/worry unnecessarily.
    • 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
14. Have faith that things will work out even when you don’t see it.
    • 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV – “For we walk by faith, and not by sight.”
15. Hold yourself and others accountable.
    • Proverbs 15:22 NIV – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
16. Watch your words and actions.
    • Colossians 4:6 ESV – “Let our speech always be gracious, seasons with salt so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
17. Life is short.
    • James 4:14 NLT – “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”
18. A season for everything, a time to every purpose
    • Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV – “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
19. God is calling us to a deeper relationship with him and we should seek his ways.
    • John 14:21 – “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
20. Don’t try to gain others approval.
    • Colossians 3:23 ESV – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”[i]

[i] The Bible Hub. (2020). Retrieved from: https://biblehub.com/