Words from the Honeycomb
  • Home
  • About
  • Publications
    • Articles and Devotions
    • Non-Fiction Books
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • Contact

Words from the
Honeycomb - Blog

Blessings from 2020

1/3/2021

8 Comments

 
Picture
Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash
The year 2020 will never be forgotten. From COVID-19 to race riots to the election, 2020 held many painful and unexpected moments. Personally, I had a pretty tough 2019 and had asked God for a break in 2020. That didn’t happen. Instead, I had a breakup of my relationship and a near breakdown from stress at work.

Thankfully, God is bigger than all of my struggles. 1 John 4:4 says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Nothing this world can throw at me can stand up to the greatness of God. Nothing. God has shown Himself faithful despite all my difficulties. He gave me peace about the breakup and a fantastic new job.  

I’m sure that many of you had your own hardships last year. They certainly weren’t easy to miss. Yet, God has seen us all through to 2021. I don’t have a crystal ball and can’t predict all that this year will hold. Fortunately, I know who holds my future. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” The good things God started in my life long before 2020, He will see through until He calls me home to heaven. He will do the same for you.

Instead of focusing on the bad from last year, I wanted to list some good things that happened despite the storms. My church family encouraged my heart when I was depressed about work. I joined three separate prayer groups, thereby working my faith muscles as we watched God move through corporate prayer. I was lonely during the quarantine, and the Lord sent my sister to live with me and provided her with a great job. I also have many solid evangelism opportunities I wouldn’t have had without COVID-19. God is always working in our lives. It is just His timing and ways that befuddle us sometimes (Isaiah 55:8-9).

My challenge to us as we reflect on 2020, instead of listing what went wrong, let’s find the blessings in disguise. Find ways to see how God has used your brokenness to build your trust in His provision. If you can’t see any immediate blessings, ask God to show you what they are. You probably have more than you know. May the Lord’s graciousness continue to flow on the days before us as 2021 unfolds.

  • What blessings did the Lord bestow on you in 2020? Please share the so we can rejoice with you.
 
8 Comments
Robin L. link
1/4/2021 11:25:25 pm

I pray that 2021 will have positive changes for you. At least your sister was able to get the new job.

Reply
Joanna Eccles
1/6/2021 09:06:07 pm

Yes, I believe for good things for this year. God is faithful no matter my circumstances. May He bless your year too!

Reply
J.D. Wininger
1/5/2021 07:30:20 am

I think we all have bad things that happen in our lives. As you point out so well, the victory and blessing comes in how well we overcome them. A big part of that is how well we hang onto God's promises in our lives. Wonderful reminder sweet friend.

Reply
Joanna Eccles
1/6/2021 09:07:23 pm

I love to read good stories, but they all have conflict. I have to remember in my own life when I see the struggles that my story isn't over yet. God is good. He will see me through everything.

Reply
Candyce link
1/5/2021 12:06:53 pm

Isn't it amazing how much good we can find when looking back on the hardships God brought us through? Rick Warren says that tough times will either make you better or bitter. We can choose better by keeping our eyes on the positives.

Reply
Joanna Eccles
1/6/2021 09:08:27 pm

I like the idea of letting life's challenges making me a better person instead of a bitter lady. That is only possible with God's strength, which He makes available to us every day. Yay God!

Reply
Katy Kauffman
1/10/2021 09:36:11 am

I love what you said about God's greatness being bigger than anything the world throws at us. I'm grateful that I could host a weekly Zoom with Christians who discuss Refresh articles and fellowship. God gave me new ideas to write about, and I finally started learning how to paint. Something I've wanted for a long time.

Reply
Joanna Eccles
1/17/2021 10:40:03 pm

So glad that God gave you new ministry ideas and good topics to write. I also know how much you love to paint, so that is a great outlet. The Lord is so good to bless you with those opportunities. Yay God!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Joanna Eccles has led Bible studies for over ten years and completed the year-long C. S. Lewis Fellows Program.  She is passionate about discipleship and helping people know God better. Joanna enjoys coffee, traveling, and reading, and currently lives in Virginia.

    Categories

    All
    Accountability
    Christian Growth
    Christian Life
    Dealing With Grief
    Devotions
    Discipleship
    Holistic Goals
    Holy Spirit
    New Year's Resolutions
    Prayer
    SMART Goals

    RSS Feed

      Sign up for updates of new blogs.

    Subscribe for Updates
© COPYRIGHT 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About
  • Publications
    • Articles and Devotions
    • Non-Fiction Books
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • Contact