For the month of December, we will spend every Monday morning in a series called “Process & Pray Through 2020”. Each week the focus will be different, but the theme of processing and praying will remain the same. I asked the Lord to show me 4 areas he wants us to process before we move into 2021 and those areas include disappointments, unexpected emotions, health (mental & physical), and change/forced pivot.
DISCLAIMER: THIS DOES NOT REPLACE YOUR THERAPY APPOINTMENTS. USE THIS TIME TO SEE IF GOD REVEALS ANYTHING YOU NEED TO SEEK HELP TO PROCESS FURTHER WITH A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL.
Part 1: Process & Pray Through Disappointments
Process these questions throughout the week in a journal.
- What disappointments did I experience in 2020?
- What was lost in 2020?
- Have I addressed that loss or numbed the pain with passive activities like eating, shopping, social media, or other avoidant activities?
- God, what do you want to redeem that was stolen in 2020?
Resource: 7 Days of Prayer for Your Business
Part 2: Process & Pray Through Unexpected Emotions
I don’t teach on emotions in this episode, but if you want to learn more about emotions, I encourage you to listen to the series we did on how to identify emotions earlier this year.
Process these questions throughout the week in a journal.
- What unexpected emotions did I encounter in 2020?
- What was at the root of those emotions?
- What narrative have I associated with those emotions?
- God, I thank you for my emotions that let me know when I am not OK. Help me process them well.
Resources: The Emotionally Healthy Woman & the Emotion Wheel
Part 3: Process & Pray for Restored Health
In this episode, we chat for a moment about the health issues that arose in 2020. Many of you have either had COVID-19 or may live in fear of getting it. COVID itself brought other health complications even without catching the virus, like high blood pressure, increased stress, depression, anxiety, and other outside of norm health concerns. In part 3, I am not teaching on health, but I do feel lead to stand in the gap for your health.
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD.” – Jeremiah 30:17
Process these questions throughout the week in a journal.
1. What areas of my health suffered in 2020?
2. What fear do I hold about my current health?
3. What areas of health do I need to put under the blood of Jesus Christ?
4. What does God’s word say about my health?
Resource: Stay tuned for a podcast from backbodyclinic.com next year!
Part 4: Process & Pray Through Change
Last week we processed our health and this week we will process change, or as I like to call it, a forced pivot. I think one thing we ALL have in common this year is that we were forced to make changes in many areas of our lives. From homeschool to work Zoom calls, we all had to pivot in how we operated in life. For some, this change came with ease, and for others, it was resisted. The biggest lesson I learned is that change in life is inevitable.
Ecclesiastes 3 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
Seasons will come and go and there is nothing we can do about it. But we can decide what kind of attitude we will have as the seasons change. As believers, we need to lead the way in having a positive attitude in all seasons and circumstances. But it is totally normal and okay to grieve the change in seasons. Let’s do that today in the quiet of our own homes so when we go out to the world our face shines the light of Jesus.
Process these questions throughout the week in a journal.
1. What areas of change did I encounter in 2020?
2. Did I embrace or reject the change?
3. What was lost because of the change? Did I grieve the loss?
4. What was gained in the change? Did I celebrate?
5. What word is God giving me for 2021?
Resource: 3 Action Steps to Overcome Fear and Confidently Pursue Your God-Given Dreams Guide
