One Word that Can Change Your Life

Several years back I read a book entitled: One Word that Can Change Your Life. The premise is that by focusing on ONE WORD throughout the year, you can remain focused on an area of your life God wants to enhance in you.

Three years ago, my word was GRATITUDE. That word kept me cognizant of the fact that God provides everything I need for life and godliness. It kept me from taking God’s multitude of blessings for granted. I’m still practice grateful every day. I thank Him for the warm water in my shower every morning. I thank Him every time I open my refrigerator. I thank Him when I put my head on my pillow because I live in a warm, safe house in a warm comfortable bed. I could write a book just on the things I’m grateful for that I used to take for granted.

Last year, my word was PERSPECTIVE. It helped me see and understand that everybody does not see things the way I do. We all have our separate realities based on how we were raised, by the way God wired us, our personality, our life experiences, and our belief systems. I came to understand that how I see things may or may not be how things really are, but are just the way I see them. I learned to cut people some slack who looked at life from another perspective. I learned that I get to choose my perspective. I can see the glass half full or half empty. I understood that happiness is a choice. And I get to choose and since I do, I give people the same privilege today.

This year, my word is CONTENTMENT. I think God gave me this word as a result of my previous words. I became grateful for all the things God has given me, and I chose the perspective that He was always going to give me just what I need. This year I have learned to be content no matter what is going on in my life. I more deeply understand Romans 8:28 which states that “all things work together of good for them that love God and are called according to His purpose.” Since God uses any and everything that comes in to my life for His glory and my benefit, I’ve learned to trust Him more and His peace has filled my soul. I believe peace is the first cousin of contentment. How can you have His peace and not be content?

I said all that to say this: God has a word for you this year. Don’t try to pick one out on your own. He has one for you. Simply ask Him. Don’t know how? Okay. Here’s how you pray:

“Lord, I know you have a plan for me. A plan to prosper me and not harm me, to give me a future and a hope. I know you have a specific plan for me for this year. I also know you have a word for me that will keep me laser-focused on that plan for me this year. Would you reveal it to me, please? Thank you for caring so much about every detail of my life. Amen.”

Blessings,

Kenny