It’s 2024. Can you believe it?
When we enter a new year, many people reflect, evaluate, and look ahead.
Some make resolutions.
Some set objectives and goals for the year ahead.
For grieving hearts, however, some of us are just trying to survive from day to day.
Some of us are at a point in our grief journey where we are looking to do more than survive – much more.
No matter where we are, most of us are wondering what this new year will bring.
Thankfully, there are some things we can count on.
What We Can Expect in 2024
Here are some things that I know we can expect in 2024…
1. The world (and therefore life) will be challenging.
Our world is changing rapidly. Things are tense, divided, and uncertain. While we’re grieving the loss of precious loved ones, we’re also grieving the shaking of the world we grew up in.
2. All our grief journeys will be challenging.
Our grief challenges will take various forms.
- Handling our emotions.
- Dealing with the mental impact of all that’s happening.
- Managing the physical stresses and health changes.
- Handling the constant upheavals and shifts in our relationships.
- Surfing wave after wave of spiritual challenges.
All of these challenges can seem overwhelming at times. Embracing these challenges and navigating them well will be important.
3. Great blessings will come into our lives.
Blessings are always there. We’re surrounded by them every day.
The challenge will be to notice and appreciate them.
Looking for and embracing these God moments is huge. A grieving heart can also be a thankful heart.
4. The theme of the year will once again be “Overcoming.”
Overcoming seems to be the theme of all of life, doesn’t it?
Perhaps it is.
So, let’s set our minds to look for blessings (God moments), cultivate thankful hearts, and continue to overcome.
What I’m Hoping to Do.
On my end, God willing, here’s what I hope to do in 2024 to encourage and assist you in looking for and embracing blessings, cultivating a thankful heart, and overcoming (living with more purpose and meaning that you thought possible):
Weekly emails designed to comfort, affirm, and encourage you.
Monthly Zoom sessions addressing the above topics.
Offering access to my online Overcoming Grief school courses: the Overcoming Grief Library, the Overcoming Fear course, and the Grief Helpers Network.
I’m also planning three new books this year designed to connect with your heart and walk with you on this tough, arduous journey.
Guarding Our Hearts
I’m again reminded of King Solomon’s 3000 year-old words: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the spring from which everything in your life flows.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Our hearts are under assault. May this be a year where we intentionally choose to guard our hearts, protecting them from dangers and nurturing them in what is good.
I’m glad we’re in this together.
Until next time…
Question: As you look ahead into this new year, what do you “expect?” Feel free to respond by commenting below.
Hoping to get past “I want to die to be with my son” mentality. Learn how to take care of me.
Hi Denyne. I’m so sorry about your son. I can’t imagine all you’ve been through with this. As you grieve – and embrace that grief – and process it in healthy ways, most people do indeed recover, heal and grow. We will never be the same, of course – that’s impossible. We’ll grieve on. Praying for you now, for wisdom in self-care, comfort, and peace. Please be kind to yourself.
Dear Gary,
I used to make new plans at the start of each new year, but I don’t do that anymore. Life can change so quickly for the worse I mean. To be honest, I’m still in 2021, the year our son journeyed home to his ABBA. It’s strange, it’s like a million days since he left but also like the last night I was with him refusing to believe this was the way his life journey hi story ended. My personal life journey is merely wat the sun go up & go down. I ask myself if God even knew me at all to believe I could survive this life without my family intact. Maybe it is punishment for something I did. I read in Gods word that HE does this.
Hi Sylvia. Thank you for sharing this. I can hear the pain in your words. I’m so sorry, Sylvia. So sorry. Some things are beyond explanation – and beyond our ability to understand even if an explanation was given. I know in my own life, I have had to repeatedly accept that I simply do not get it – I don’t understand – and then be somehow okay with not understanding. And I have to come around to this over and over, again and again. In grief, our sense of time goes out the window. All seems to be loss, and pain, and grief. I don’t understand, but I believe Jesus walks with me. He knows all about grief, pain, loss, and death – even untimely, unfair, and undeserved death. Again, I’m so sorry. Praying for you for comfort and a strong sense of God’s love and care for you. In Jesus’ name…
I expect to be imperfect but I also expect to give myself more compassion and grace.
Hi Andrea. Thanks for sharing. Now, that sounds like a good balance to me. I know I need to give myself more grace – all the time. Blessings to you…