4 Ways (With God + Truth) to Survive 2021 (and Beyond)
"The garbage from one year doesn’t just disappear simply because the hands of a clock strike a magic hour or the page of a calendar is turned. But there's hope..."
For many, 2020 was a total “dumpster fire,” ranging from obnoxious to total disaster.
And considering that this has been such a tough year, many have been acting as though a switch would go off and somehow all the bad bits of 2020 would be in the rearview mirror (hint: it’s 2021 now and that didn’t happen).
We’ve been walking around for weeks saying things like, “I can’t wait for 2020 to be over” and “Yes, 2021 is just around the corner.” Don’t get me wrong: I hope that’s the case. But now that 2021 is here, we have some realities we must confront.
Most of us know (if we’re being honest), that the garbage from one year generally doesn’t just disappear simply because the hands of a clock strike a magic hour or the page of a calendar is turned.
Watch my video explainer below and continue reading for more:
But here’s what we can do: we can change how we react to it all. Chuck Swindoll once said that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we react to it — and it’s true.
So, let’s explore four steps we can take to survive and thrive in 2021 (pro-tip: here’s my most recent, FREE daily devotional that will help you this year):
First, Make Faith a Priority
In 2020, I made morning quiet time a priority, and it ended up being pretty amazing. I read my Bible, took in truth and, while life wasn’t perfect, the experience transformed the ways in which I saw each day unfold.
Putting God first changes everything.
Second, Pray More
Many of us get hung up on saying neat and tidy prayers, but try this: start praying wherever you are — doing laundry, working out, trying to sleep. Whenever, wherever. Just take steps to connect with God each and every day.
Third, Do a Self-Intake Assessment
Now, the third one might seem strange, but start paying attention to what you’re watching and listening to. Entertainment, media, music — the messages we let in will surely impact our minds, our mouths — heck, even our hearts.
If we want to be more like Jesus, perhaps we should guard ourselves a little better than many of us do. It’s an area I’ve struggled with, and making a concerted effort to curb negative content can really pay off in the long run.
Information, news and entertainment have a major impact on what we think and feel, so assessing what we take in is key.
Fourth, Do Something Kind for Others
Whether it’s consistent tithing, service projects or getting the Samaritan’s Purse catalogue out each month and buying an animal for a family in need somewhere across the globe, consistent goodness helps us live out the gospel and God’s love for others.
Find ways to do good things…consistently. It doesn’t only help others, but it boosts our own morale.
Remember: all the tools we need come from above. So, as we enter this new year, consider taking key steps to get closer to God: pray more, read the Bible more, take in edifying content and do good for others. Make these daily, weekly and monthly steps part of your routine and it holds the power to change everything.
And if you’re not where where to start or what being close to God means, crack open a Bible to John 3 and read that chapter. Even if 2021 is an even bigger dumpster fire, our reactions will determine how we cope; these steps will help!
Want more inspiration? I’ll leave you with my podcast: