How to move forward in 2021

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We’ve all acquired patterns of behavior that form the basis of our daily routines. But what happens when our daily routines are suddenly changed? After spending a year embracing uncertainty, how do we start to move forward?

The beginning of 2021 is the perfect time to reset our minds, look closely at our habits, and prepare our hearts for what God is going to do next.

Here are 5 ways to do that:

Set aside time with God every day.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

JEREMIAH 29:13

Start rebuilding healthy habits by making time with God your top priority. When you prioritize time with Him, you allow Him to renew your mind and change the way you think.

One tool you can use to create a daily quiet time routine is Verse of the Day Stories. Start your day with a Story and get into the habit of letting God’s Word speak to you.

Ask yourself: At what times of day do I find it easiest and hardest to connect with God?

Fix your eyes on Jesus

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

HEBREWS 12:1-2

Keeping Jesus at the center of your life will help you lay aside anything that might easily entangle you, and eventually, this practice will change the way you live.

So today, take a moment to think about what might be keeping you from focusing entirely on Jesus. Try creating a Prayer in your Bible App and list the distractions you want to surrender. Then, set up a Prayer reminder to help you give those distractions over to Jesus every day.

Ask yourself: What desires are keeping me from centering my life completely around Jesus?

Remember Whose you are

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20

Everything you’ve sacrificed this past year will never compare to the ultimate sacrifice God made for you. So when you begin to grow discouraged, remember that God is eternally invested in your life. Your future is in the hands of Someone who loves you, and He wants you to become the person He created you to be.

Ask yourself: What habits will help me glorify God more?

Start small

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

LUKE 16:10

Growth takes time, so just pick something small you’d like to change, and start there. Consistently doing one thing well will make it easier to master other habits later. And if you miss a day (or five), give yourself grace. Starting small makes it easier to pick yourself back up and keep moving forward.

Ask yourself: What is one thing I can start to master?

Invite others to join you

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

PROVERBS 27:17

We weren’t meant to go through life alone. You’ll find it easier to stay on track if you invite some friends to join you on your journey. Try finding a Bible Plan you’d like to read, and then commit to processing each Plan day together.

Ask yourself: What trusted friends can I invite to join me?

As you keep developing healthy habits, over time you will find yourself becoming more like the person God created you to be.

It only takes a moment to get going, and these 5 steps are a great place to start. Pick the number you want to focus on first, and then stay committed to moving forward by applying this bonus step…

Set Reminders to help you pursue what matters most.

Reminders are perfect for the times when you need some extra encouragement to continue to build good habits. And by setting up Bible App reminders, you’ll always have a way to stay connected to God’s Word and His will for you. Reminders are currently available for Bible Plans, Verse of the Day, and YouVersion Prayer.

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