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Greetings! 
"Through persistence, self-knowledge, prayer, commitment, optimism,
a resolute trust in God, and the building of your own personal moral strength,
you can enjoy the blessings of a deeper faith, and face the difficulties of life
with courage and confidence." - Norman Vincent Peale
A blessed New Year to you!
By now all of the decorations are put away, family has long returned to daily life, Christmas pageants are a sweet memory, and admittedly the cookie tin is down to crumbs. It's no wonder I'm feeling a sense of emptiness. I have put so much into preparing for the celebration of the birth of Christ, the excitement has come and gone too quickly. It feels like a let down now that it's all over. Do you feel this way even just a little? Each year in January for most of my life I have. But not this year!
This year my heart is filled up with hope in God. Christmas is in my heart each day, which means feeling the blessings of Jesus in every moment and being open to respond to God's desires not only for me - for all of us! When we place our trust and hope in Him, every moment is filled with encouragement and excitement to start anew again. Now I have a different view and no longer feel let down over holidays being over... I am uplifted with a new hope for the year ahead, and the Lord is with me for the journey.
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.
- Lamentations 3:24
A new year begins and brings the essence of promise to a new level - one that brings us closer to God as we listen to His loving guidance. Be encouraged by Him, and no longer feel discouraged! Setting new intentions for the year when they are steeped in God's desire for you, will keep you going. Think of this as being purified along the way to continue on.
All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.
-1 John 3:3
In the new annual booklet, What to do When..., Dr. Peale gives great advice on how to overcome discouragement. Here is an exerpt that I am finding useful.
All human beings experience happy and depressed moods; it's part of the rhythm of life... discouragement will come... The question is: Do you have the spirit and skill to meet it efficiently?
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage...
- Psalm 27:14
When you "wait for the Lord" you condition your mind to think about God rather than your difficulties. Here are a few steps you can take right now:
1. Concentrate your thoughts upon God, your difficulties will shrink.
2. Think and say: "The Lord is good"
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him. - Nahum 1:7
3. Think of God as a stronghold, a castle from which spiritual reinforecements rush to help you, giving you new power to confront your difficulties.
I will put my Hope in God! I will praise Him again - my Savior my God!
-Psalm 42:11
The cure for discouragement is hope, but it is more than vague hope. It is hope in God. Practice the belief that God will drive off discouragement. Picture the bright star of hope in God shining in your mind and pushing back the dark night of discouragement.
As you go about your day, commit the following verse to memory. It will keep you close to hope in God.
For a copy of this booklet just Click Here and I will send you a copy.
NEW - Dr. Peale's sermons at your fingertips!
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