“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

Greetings Everyone,

We are now into our second month of the new year! Every year, we tend to make New Year's resolutions. A new survey from Forbes Health found that the top resolutions for 2024 include improving fitness, finances, and mental health. I want to add two more: emotional and spiritual health. An individual needs to have an emotionally healthy spirituality to help them identify what is lacking within themselves. Peter Scazzero (Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, 2017) stated that one of our greatest obstacles to knowing God is our lack of self-knowledge. So, we wear a mask before God, ourselves, and others.

Furthermore, we cannot become self-aware if we cut off our humanity out of fear of our feelings. When you think about it, have you ever done a self-evaluation to see if you are lacking emotionally when it comes to being a servant for the Lord? Do we genuinely have our minds and hearts on God? God made promises related to our hearts (emotions) and minds. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You.”This verse helps the reader understand that God will give you that flawless peace you seek.  However, we must cleanse ourselves from sin through repentance and accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior to experience God’s perfect peace.

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1, ESV). Starting this year, I encourage you to hold on to God’s promises. “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20, ESV). I am sure that these promises will not be reneged. Have a blessed and safe new year!