So, we are officially 2 weeks into 2019.  How is it going so far?  How are your resolutions (if you made any)?  Have you broke that diet, yet?  Have you already spent that money you said you were going to save?  What about that Bible reading plan?  Are you already having to play catch up?

Don’t sweat it.  This isn’t a post about how bad you are doing already in 2019.  Once that ball dropped, those resolutions began.  Remember those?  Besides the resolutions, one thing I saw several people posting on social media was how 2019 was going to be better than 2018.  They were going to make those changes, they were going to be better, do better.  Here’s what I want to ask you:

What if 2019 turns out worse than 2018?

What if something happens this year that is traumatic?  Expensive?  Challenging?  I’m not trying to get you to worry.  I’m not trying to get you to freak out.  I just want you to answer that question.

Here’s five reasons as to you shouldn’t worry if 2019 is worse than 2018.

1. Christ is reigning.

No matter what happens in 2019, good or bad, Christ is King.  Nothing and nobody can take His Kingdom from Him.  Nothing and nobody can reign in His place.  And Christ is King whether you like it or not.  He is reigning and ruling.  Scripture tells us that the earth is Satan’s Kingdom, but Christ is still His King as well.  He’s on a leash.  Understand that all things are under Christ’s control, power, and word.

2. Christ is working.

One of my favorite verses to recite when I am anxious or scared or even doubting is Romans 8:28″

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Christ is working in our lives.  Everything that comes our way, Christ will use for our good and His glory.  Rest in knowing that.  Rest in trusting in the Sovereignty of our Savior.  2019 may be the worst year of your life, but Christ will take every circumstance that you encounter, and as believers in Him, he will use them for our good.  Storms may come, but we become better sailors because of it.  Trials may chip at us, but God is fashioning us into what He has purposed us for.  Christ will bring suffering and trials in our lives, not to harm us, but for our spiritual growth.

3. Christ is loving.

2019 may be a lonely year.  It may be a year where we feel at our lowest.  Christ still loves us.  Remember what A.W. Tozer said.

Jesus Christ knows the worst about you.  Nonetheless, He is the One who loves you the most.

Rest in the love of Jesus Christ that He has for you.

4. Christ is forgiving.

Rest also in His mercies. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).  I am thankful for a God who is slow to anger.  Psalm 103:8 says:

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Rest in knowing that Christ will accept us as we are, but wants to transform us to be more like Him.

5. Christ is saving.

No matter what happens this year, Christ is still saving.  God is working within the lives of nonbelievers that they will come to know who He is.  He is transforming hearts from stone to flesh.  He is transforming lives.  Romans 1:16 says:

For I am not ashamed fo the gospel, for it is the POWER OF GOD FOR SALVATION to everyone who believes…

Rest in these encouragements.  2019 may not be the best year ever.  It may not be better than 2018.  But, we can trust in a Savior who is working within 2019, within our lives, to draw people to Himself, and to make us more like Him.  Rest in Him.