“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV).

Many people are reflecting on the past year and ready to welcome in the new year. As I observe many posts on social media, I can say that 2018 was a rough year for many. Yesterday morning my older brother sent my siblings and I a text message that read, “make sure you all use today to focus on your accomplishments for this year and NOT what you didn’t do. Count your wins.”

Count your wins. Count your wins. Count your wins.

It was so easy to reflect over this past year’s failures and disappointments. It was easy to focus on the sadness I experienced when things didn’t go as planned. I could spend all day complaining about what didn’t happen. I did experience weakness and God allowed certain things to take place in my life that I wasn’t, too happy about at the time. 2018 felt like everything was falling apart. However, I am reminded that Christ’s power is made perfect in weakness. His love for me is unending and even in times of detriment He is always there. When I feel like a failure, His love never fails.

Six months ago, I published a “middle of the year” post sharing some of those disappointments. At that time, I was still blaming myself for the failures I was experiencing and the relationships I lost. But God’s grace was and still is sufficient. I made new friendships, I sang more, I wrote more, I danced, I was involved in opportunities within my career, I started a graduate degree program, I traveled to a different country, I laughed more, I cried tears of joy, I loved, I grew spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, I am stronger, I am wiser, I am here. I made it!

Yes, I lost some things and those losses seemed so huge for me. You may have experienced huge losses also. You may have felt weak, disappointed, stressed, or confused. The loss may have been unexpected and unwanted. But remember, a loss from God is still a win (Romans 8:28). He still gets the glory. So, as we welcome in the new year, 2019, let’s not dwell over the sorrows of the past, but rejoice that we are here! Let’s rejoice in our suffering because we know that Christ will be our strength. Let’s count our wins! Count your wins!!!