What’s The Good Word?

As soon as I laid my eyes on it, I knew it would be my word for the year. 

The hustle and bustle of Christmas was over. I curled up to read my Magnolia Journal for the second time and everything in it was hitting me like I was reading it for the first time. Beautiful tidbits spoke to my heart in every article. The title: The THRILL OF HOPE, Choosing to Live in HOPEFUL EXPECTATION. The theme: Anticipation.

I have spent years of my life living in anxiety. Changing my diet, prayer and even removing toxic people from my life have greatly improved it, but I still spend a lot of time worrying about the outcome of things outside of my control. Going to the worst case scenario in my head almost instantly. Even as I began thinking about typing this post, my heart raced and I started dreading the outcome. But, what would happen if I chose to ANTICIPATE what was ahead, savoring the moments in between?

Anxiety vs. Anticipation

Anxiety and anticipation. How similar those words really are. They both tend to leave you sitting on the edge of your seat, waiting for what’s to come. But, “anxiety” definitely has a negative undertone. Anxiety is a joy-sucker. It’s synonyms: worry, disquiet, tension, trepidation, foreboding and consternation sure sound like a party, don’t they? In contrast, ANTICIPATION sounds JOYFUL, doesn’t it? Having just come out of the Christmas season, where every song, scripture reading and church service revolved around the anticipation of Christ’s birth allowed me to have a fresh perspective as I re-read the beautiful articles in my magazine.

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Last year I chose to pick a word as my theme for the year after hearing several podcasts on the topic. I loved it. It changed my focus. The decisions I made revolved around that word…intentional. Not perfectly, of course, but it was a great focus for me! I had been mulling over what my word for 2019 would be, and it just wasn’t coming to me. So, when that word…anticipation, surrounded by all of the “hopeful expectation” in that magazine, jumped out at me, I grabbed ahold of it.

Choosing to Anticipate

This year I choose to embrace the unknown. Imperfectly, I’m sure. I will choose to wait hopefully and expectantly on Jesus as He brings us to each new adventure and through each new trial. When those old feelings of worry and panic come over me, I will choose to anticipate seeing how He will work through whatever comes my way. I expect to fail at times, but He hasn’t failed me yet! I will savor the times of waiting and use it as a time to rest and refresh, because “…This we know to be true: THERE IS WONDER IN THE WAITING.” –The Magnolia Journal

What are you being challenged to focus on in this new year? What word is tugging at your heartstrings? Maybe it has nothing to do with anticipation, but I certainly hope reading this has encouraged you to choose YOUR good word!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERY situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7