Embracing the February Reset: Finding Strength, Purpose, and Faith Amidst Life's Trials

Happy February! The Groundhog saw his shadow predicting an early spring! Warmer temperatures, longer days, better weather, and the flowers will begin to bloom soon! January was and can be a hard month for many, while it brings a fresh start and a new year full of unknowns and possibilities it can also be really hard, the first few weeks people are feeling ready to crush these new goals, new routines, etc. But by the end of the month, those new habits have already been demolished and we tend to fall back on old habits. It's often referred to as the January blues.

The important question I ask myself when I get derailed from my goals is how can I get back on track and why did I start this to begin with? It's easy when things take a turn to just give up and say I'll try again next year. That is exactly what the enemy wants you to do; it is to give and not become who you are capable of becoming.

There is this verse from one of my favorite songs, Just Be Held by Casting Crowns, that goes, "Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place." These lyrics are a perfect representation of how my January was. At the end of last year, I decided that I wanted to do more for myself. Every year I do a word of the year instead of a new year's resolution and this year my word is "self". For me, the word means a lot of different things I want to do more things for myself things for myself and by myself, being ok with doing my own thing.

At the end of 2023, my 5-month relationship ended. I had become so used to dedicating time and commitment to things that I didn't want to do but I did it to spend time with him. After this break up I realized that I didn't know what I wanted for myself. I had lost myself. I wouldn't go do something if I didn't have friends to go with.

So at the beginning of 2024, I said goodbye to pleasing people and yes to doing more of what I needed and wanted. My family and I saw a lot of heartbreak in January and it has made it feel like my world is falling apart

It has taken a lot of faith to believe that there is a reason and purpose behind hard times. He sometimes puts us in situations where we have no choice but to trust him. Often it has been God's way of reminding me that I can't do this life without him.

So often I hear people talking about miracles and after the miracles are performed people can see God's goodness. The hard thing to do is to trust God while you are waiting on that miracle when you don't see a way through the storm. Praising him and remembering that he is still good even in the midst of the storm.

This is exactly the way I think of January and winter becoming spring. When you are in the middle of freezing temperatures, grey skies, and early sunsets it's not always easy to believe that it is only temporary, and soon enough I'll be missing winter in the middle of Texas summer wishing for colder temperatures.

This is part of human nature. We tend to think that the grass is always greener on the other side. We always want what we don't currently have. There's this quote that says it perfectly "You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy" -NightBride

Gratitude can play a huge role in happiness in the middle of a trial. Philippians 4:6 reads " Do not be anxious about anything. But in every situation, by prayer and petition, pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. He tells us to draw close to him in a time of need and not to worry about anything but instead give thanks for all that we have. Being anxious about something or sad about something shows that we are grateful for it and that we are about it. I'm going to leave you with something to think about when it feels like your world is falling apart.

How can you use February as a reset?

What do you need to do to get back on track with your goals and God's plan for you?

How can you let go and let God have control of your life today?

What is holding you back from achieving the best version of yourself?

How can you become steadfast during a time of uncertainty and trial?