Look back, give thanks
Sheree Morris
Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence, and is honourable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and loveable, whatever is kind, whatever is winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worth of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these. Fix your minds on them.
Philippians 4:8
At the end of December, Pete Grieg (founder of 24/7 Prayer) shared his personal process for reviewing and resetting - how he looks back over the last year before moving into the new one.
Firstly he suggests that we take a look back over 2025 to think about specific highs and lows and to record these. He suggests using a diary or photos to remind ourselves of all that happened previously.
He then suggests that we give thanks and rejoice for all the good things that took place and what made them special.
This is so powerful in many ways. Research has shown the significant effects and changes in our brains when we focus on thankfulness. There are so many health benefits in reflection and thankfulness which change our physical, emotional and social health and well-being. As Christians, the very act of giving thanks, changes our mindset and focuses us back on God.
When I think back over 2025, it has been an incredibly turbulent time for us as a family in many different areas - with so many ups and downs. Many, many times it has felt like one foot forward and three steps back. We have felt buffeted around in storm after storm, and have only just managed to stand at times.
When I start to look back I find it very easy to remember the hard times, and equally easy to forget the good parts of this last year. Although there have been several good parts, somehow these can seem to get drowned out, as Cal mentioned in his reflection last week.
Using something simple like our diary, electronic calendar and photos, helps us to ‘recapture’ the good, which can otherwise be missed amongst the heavy weight of the bad times.
In Philippians, Paul writes to encourage us not to dwell on the bad times but to dwell on the good that has happened. He urges us to think on good things, to fix our minds on pleasant and helpful things.
That is not to say that we forget those hard times, but it is to urge us not to spend our time being stuck in that hard place - to continue to look upwards and see the good that God, through his Holy Spirit, has done within each of those situations where we have struggled.
He urges us to fix our eyes and minds on the positives in every situation. For us to find the joy of living a life full of God given opportunities, God given wisdom, God given directions and God given good gifts. So that, when we look back over the previous year, it doesn’t deflate us but it urges us to press in closer to God - to push through what might even be another difficult year for many of us, knowing that God is with us in the turmoil.
He is for us, and He is holding us tightly and carrying us through.
Whatever your 2025 has been like, I encourage you to find the good in it. Find the lovely, find the pure, find the parts that are worthy of praise, and let us fix our hearts and minds on these things. Let us walk into 2026 in joy and thankfulness, whatever our circumstances have been and will be.
