By the grace of God, we are beginning a new year together! With a new year comes new challenges, new opportunities, new goals to achieve and new heights to reach. Admittedly, with new goals often comes fear. In fact, navigating through the unknown is a bit scary at times, but we must make a conscious effort to rid ourselves of fear and walk in faith, especially as we approach the new year. Many people wish they could experience the next 12 months with loved ones who have passed, and we have countless reasons to celebrate our blessings.

So we must face the new year without fear and with a heart full of gusto, and below are three reasons to do so:

1. He will not abandon you.

The new year is full of exciting, unknown experiences, new beginnings and memories to be made, all wonderful reasons to rejoice in the coming year. However, I understand that the unknown is often accompanied by fear. Nevertheless, you must know and remember that He will never leave you. You may be afraid and apprehensive, but He will not abandon you, and you will never face any situation alone. "The Lord, He goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Do not fear, nor be dismayed" (Deut. 31:8).

We may fear that our expectations will not be met, but breathe a sigh a relief in knowing that your wants and wishes are ultimately met through knowing Christ our Savior.

2. He will protect you.

The truth is, we have no idea what lies ahead. Our year may be fantastic. Then again, we may face turmoil, or maybe a combination of both. The point is, we have no idea what will happen in the coming days, but we must find comfort in knowing that wherever we go, God is there. You may not be able to fear God's presence physically, but He is with you, working everything out for the greater good. There's no need to fear; God is here, the ultimate superhero. "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish and guard you from the evil one"(2 Thess. 3:3).

3. Know God, and know peace.

Yes, Jesus protects us, and yes, He will not abandon us; however, knowing God is not about having a perfect new year, let alone a perfect life. God encourages His children to be content with what we already have. Accepting Jesus Christ into your life is the ultimate source of wealth. We may fear that our expectations will not be met, but breathe a sigh a relief in knowing that your wants and wishes are ultimately met through knowing Christ our Savior. "Yes, certainly, I count everything as loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have forfeited the loss of all things and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ" (Phil. 3:8).

Life's inevitable ups and downs are unpredictable.

In 2018, I joyfully watched my son take his first steps, and I humbly witnessed my daughter excel in a new school in a foreign country. Then again, I also endured the passing of someone very close to our family, and I experienced a challenging, painful grieving process. Needless to say, 2019 will inevitably hold similar peaks and valleys, yet I throw my fear to the wind, and I invite God into my heart more than ever, because I know I can face the day as long as He is by my side.

Laci Swann is owner of Sharp Editorial, LLC, author of the children's book series "Sloan Saves the Day," and a writer for Lightworkers. LightWorkers' mission is to create engaging, uplifting and inspirational content that breaks through the clutter, building a community of sharing and igniting a movement in the real world that motivates people to celebrate and share the good all around them.

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