Starting Off the New Year Strong!Sample

# Expect the best! [IMAGE CONTENT] What expectations did you wake up with this morning? What expectations do you have as you start this new year? I want to encourage you today to expect the best! Perhaps you'd say, "But Déborah, I don't know if that's possible." Honestly, sometimes it doesn't seem possible for me either, but yet…I still want to choose to expect the best! Why? Because the Bible says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…" (James 1:17, NKJV). Again, you might say, "But Déborah...my year really hasn't been good so far." Mine could be looking better, too, and yet, I make the decision to expect the best! Even Jesus experienced a time that did NOT look good: that moment in the Garden of Gethsemane. He said, "...' My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death…'" (Matthew 26:38, NKJV). Jesus experienced His humanity at that moment, a humanity with sorrows, like you and I experience. And He, too, did what we always should: He chose to expect the best outcome. "...' O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS YOU WILL.'" (Matthew 26:39, NKJV, capitalization added) There is a most precious trust in Jesus' words. He's saying to His Father, "Even if I don't understand and it hurts, I know that You want the best for Me and intend the best through Me!" I think you know how that story turned out! God not only raised Jesus from the dead—but Christ also assumed His place of honor at the right hand of God! (see 1 Peter 3:22) Wow! You may not know what the next weeks and months of your life will bring, but you know the reward that trusting God brings! Sometimes you have to wait for the best outcome…but you can always expect it! "'...I am the Lord; those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.'" (Isaiah 49:23, NIV) That's a promise for you today! You are a miracle! Déborah P.S. The texts of this reading come from the daily email A Miracle Every Day. If you would like to receive daily encouragement, I invite you to [ subscribe to A Miracle Every Day ](https://jesus.net/a-miracle-every-day/#imprint) .