Reflections at the start of 2020

Mary writes:-

WE are just a footstep into 2020 and still in the season of looking back and looking forward. January is named for the god Janus with two faces, standing in the gap between past and future. Yet we will all have differing emotions at this annual doorway; some look back with thankfulness and joy, others are relieved to see the back of a difficult year. And the future will fill some with excitement, some with anxiety and some with dread and hopelessness.

Whatever our present reality, we know that acknowledging those inner feelings to ourselves and others helps us to prepare for what will come, to live life with truth and courage at our core. Just talking things through with friends or taking the step of seeking counselling is a pretty good New Year’s resolution to follow through.

Being truthful about what we are feeling is a bedrock of modern psychotherapy. Remarkably, it is the ancient pattern of the Hebrew Psalms as well and in them are songs expressing joy and depression, repentance and anger, loneliness and a longing for justice. There is no dressing up the feelings for an outside audience, the Psalms are raw and honest before God and about God.

Another resolution might be to read or listen to the Psalms and let their words speak for you.
How about this from Psalm 142? ‘Oh listen, please listen; I’ve never been this low.’
Or Psalm 79? ‘Don’t blame us for the sins of our parents. Hurry up and help us; we’re at the end of our rope. You’re famous for helping; God, give us a break.’
And even at life’s toughest, it’s good to remember the teaching of Psalm 92, ‘Every morning tell God, “Thank you for your kindness,” and every evening rejoice in all God’s faithfulness.’