2021 has been a tough year, hasn’t it? Most likely, for all of us in one way or another. Physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing. Losses of different kinds. Deep hurts in so many hearts. Uncertainties and fears about the future.
But God… Yes. But God is still with us and is giving us grace to survive. Even when we feel forsaken. Even when we feel weary, troubled, and sorrowful. Even when events in our lives or in the world have crushed us. He is still holding us up with His faithful love and compassion that will never, ever leave us.
This year God is teaching me on a deeper level how crucial it is to:
🦋 Remind my fainting heart to keep my eyes fixed on God’s unchangeable character. All the heartaches and changes in our world may disorient us or depress us, but God will never change and His love will never abandon us.
🌈 “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 NIV
🦋 Let go of my tight-fisted grip of “needing to fix” situations out of my control. This is so hard to do, isn’t it? But God longs for us to leave these anxieties in His Almighty hands and to believe in His power to heal, redeem, and bring justice in His time and way.
🌈 “This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 NLT
🦋 Diligently seek, pay attention to, and thank God for the beauty and the blessings still surrounding me. There are so many blessings right in front of us that we take for granted each moment, right? The beauty in God’s creation, the strength we’re given with each breath and step we take (whether emotionally, physically, mentally, or spiritually), the kindness and love many people still do show. And on and on it goes. Even in the midst of chaos and heartaches, God still heaps on the invaluable gift of His grace so freely.
🌈 “And from the overflow of His fullness we received grace heaped upon more grace!” John 1:16 TPT
What has been the toughest trial to you personally this year? What special grace have you been given even in the midst of it, whether in the moment or in hindsight?
Freed to Fly 
I feel relieved reading this, giving me hope for physical healing. Thank you for this. Happy New Year! 😊
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I’m so glad you feel relieved, Adelheid. Hang onto the HOPE we have in Jesus! Happy New Year to you, too! May God bless you with more physical healing and less pain!
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Thank you!
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❤️🙏🏻
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I think you know the two trials that took the wind out of me this past year – Danny’s heart surgery and Mom’s passing. But I never lost sight of God and the hope He gives us. We should all seek Him with all our hearts, minds and souls in 2022!
Blessings, Trudy!
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Yes, those are heavy trials, Martha. I pray God gives you grace to grieve and that Danny continues to be stronger and healthier. I’m so glad you were able to take a trip and to see your loved ones. What would we do without the love, hope, and grace God gives us, right? Blessings to you, too. With you, I pray we seek Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls in 2022!
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Thanks, Trudy! Those verses from Lamentations sum it up so perfectly, and I love the lessons you have drawn from the challenges of 2021. It is so important to keep our eyes fixed on God and to look for the blessings around us even in the midst of difficult circumstances. For me, the challenges have mainly been watching others around me in pain – a family member’s illness and supporting a friend through her husband’s illness and eventual death. I’m sorry 2021 has been such a hard year for you too, and I hope 2022 is better!
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It can be so difficult to see loved ones in pain and struggling, Lesley. I’m so glad they had your caring, compassionate support. I pray your friend and your family member may be given strength for each day. Yes, it truly is important to keep our eyes fixed on God and the blessings He still gives us. And on the truth of His faithful character rather than on the discouraging feelings we may have through hard times. I hope 2022 is better for you, too! May we look to Jesus, our HOPE and LIGHT to lead the way!
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I count YOU as one of my graces, Trudy! Thank you for your friendship. And for your faith and hope. It is always helpful to read that others have struggles, and continue looking to Jesus through them. “Even in the midst of chaos and heartaches, God still heaps on the invaluable gift of His grace so freely.” Yes. Even though I’ve had a huge heartache this year that likely won’t go away any time soon, God has given me loads of love from many friends and family and that sustains me. Blessings to you in the new year!!!
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Aww Lisa, thank you so much. I appreciate your friendship, too. My heart often aches for you as you deal with such a huge heartache and I pray God will bring healing in every way and give you the strength you need for each day. I’m so glad God is loading you with the love of friends and family. Blessings to you, too, in 2022! May it be filled with joyful surprises and unexpected blessings!
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Thank you, Trudy. I’m featuring this post tomorrow at the Grace and Truth linkup. We all need extra reminders to reflect on the grace God still gives us.
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Oh my! I’m honored. Thank you, Lisa. Yes, reflecting on the grace God still gives us surely helps, doesn’t it?
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The toughest trial for me this year was being in lockdown & having to miss my granddaughter’s wedding & a month later my daughter’s wedding 😭 both live interstate.
But God had shown me His grace in being able to share my pain & grief with my blogging community. Such a blessing you all are! 💝
May 2022 be a year full of His healing comfort & Light Trudy
Bless you,
Jennifer
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Oh, I remember that, Jennifer. My heart cried for you. It’s so hard when situations out of our control keep us from these important events. I’m so glad you were able to share your pain and grief with the blogging community. And God shows His grace to us, too, when you share. I know it makes me feel less alone and more understood. Thank you for your new year blessings. May 2022 be full of His healing, comfort, and light for you as well! And the end of lockdowns!
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Amen! Thank you Trudy! 💕
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👍🏻❤️🙏🏻
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“Grace upon grace” (from John 1:16 TPT that you shared at the end of your post)–just a four-word phrase, but such a delightful one! Our God is SO good, SO generous. And we have heaven yet to look forward to! Thank you for the uplifting reminders, Trudy!
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Yes, our God is so good and so generous! His bottomless well of grace just keeps on giving. And as you say, “we have heaven yet to look forward to!” May we cling to our faithful God and open our hearts to His heaps of grace in 2022!
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Amen, Trudy!
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❤️🙏🏼
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Dear Trudy,
Oh, your words here are always such a blessing. Even the graphics you choose! That first graphic from Ann Voskamp is one that a dear one sent to me in my first year with RA. Seeing it again is such a sweet remembrance in this year of transition for us. He is still faithfully bringing His changes to us. Love and hugs and blessings to you sweet friend. Xoxo
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Bettie, sometimes I’m so awed at God’s timing and direction when it concerns you. I worked on this post for days and kept changing the graphic until I came across this one that clutched my heart. You know how you feel when it’s the one God wants? God is still watching out for you! Yes, He is still faithfully bringing His changes to us. Love and hugs and blessings to you, too! May 2022 change us to becoming ever more like Him!
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Oh amen to God’s leading and guiding! Thank you for listening to His prompting. You’ve brought tears to my eyes today, dear friend. 😘 blessings of grace to you!
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Blessings of grace to you, too, dear Bettie, and to your husband and family!
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Always sharing God’s words here is a blessing to me, Trudy. Thank you! One of the most challenging things for me this year was leaving my job (due to circumstances out of my control) after 17 years. I took a quick 4 months off, and now back to work in a job that takes up a lot of my time commuting (and just tiring). I’m still navigating this change time-wise and financially as my ministries of writing, coaching and photography have now been side-lined. In the midst of this, God shows up through encouraging words by friends, a day in the mountains treated to me, and gratitude from my new workmates. I sense more change and a breakthrough this 2022! Blessings to you, and I look forward to reading more of your words in 2022!
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I’m so sorry for the difficult out-of-control circumstances concerning your former job, Lynn. I know it has been a struggle for you. I’m sorry your new job requires more commuting and more energy. That’s tough when you have to side-line your ministries and gifts and don’t know why. (though I’m sure you’re using your gifts wherever He leads you) But God is still showing up through friends, His creation, and gratitude from your new workmates. I know it can be hard to focus on the graces God still gives in the midst of all the questions and struggles, but I’m so glad your heart is open to the blessings He still surrounds you with. Blessings to you, too, in 2022! May God fill it with unexpected surprises and breakthroughs and His continuing grace!
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Trudy, this is so beautiful and full of wisdom. I especially appreciate the encouragement to let go of my “need to fix” things that are beyond my control. What a wonderful way to end the year on your blog. ❤️ Losing Randy’s dad has probably been the hardest (and most unexpected) development we’ve faced this year. Being able to grieve together has been a blessing, though … if that makes any sense. I hope 2022 holds many wonderful blessings for you and your family. Love and hugs to you.
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You have had some really tough years, Lois. First both your parents and now Randy’s dad. My heart has been aching for you. May God give you and your family strength for each day and gentle comfort to ease the pain. Also for Randy’s mom. Yes, it makes sense that grieving together has been a blessing. Thank you for the new year wishes. I pray 2022 holds many wonderful blessings for you and your family as well! Love and hugs to you, too! May God give us grace to more and more let go of our “need to fix” things that are beyond our control and trust His power, His way and His timing!
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We had a life-altering family tragedy at the end of 2020, this year it has been a struggle to know how to react when the after affects smack me in the face.
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I’m so sorry, Barb, that you had an unspeakable family tragedy. I found your post from a year ago. I commented on your today’s post, but it didn’t go through. Perhaps it’s in your spam? May God give you strength for each day and His peace that passes all understanding within your heart!
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I will look for it, Trudy.
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I found it!
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👍🏼❤️
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Every trial and every joy bring us that much closer to Heaven. ❤
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So true, Barb. It’s something to look forward to! Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. May we keep our eyes fixed on Him!
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I am so grateful for this post today. I need those Scriptures and the words of grace sown in and amidst them. Yes, we all have some kind of grief in our lives. May His peace be upon you.
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I’m so glad your heart was encouraged, Linda. Thank you for your prayer. May His peace be upon you, too! Whatever we are going through, may we keep our eyes fixed on our God of love and compassion whose mercies are new every morning!
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