Have you ever experienced a year that felt like three years combined into one? A year where you achieved goals that had eluded you for years, while also facing failures in areas you’d been blind to? That’s exactly what 2024 was for me. Through triumphs and challenges, I discovered crucial lessons about habits and behaviors that either propelled me forward or held me back.

Let me share the profound life lessons that 2024 taught me.

1. The Power of Surrender

Coming from someone who loves control, learning to surrender was transformative. I always think of it like a horse carriage – imagine a passenger gripping the reins tightly, determined to control every turn and movement. That’s how my relationship with God used to be.

Whenever He’d give me an instruction, I’d essentially tell Him, “Just sit back and watch me handle this.” I’d pour everything into it – time, emotions, money – until the weight of it all would overwhelm me. Only then would I realize I couldn’t do it alone. I hadn’t sent myself on this assignment, so how could I know the right way to execute it?

My book launch journey perfectly exemplifies this lesson. After writing the book God instructed me to write, I faced the challenge of introducing it to the world. After one disappointing meeting with a venue manager, I convinced myself a book launch wasn’t necessary. I even started preaching to others about how irrelevant book launches were, masking my real issue – fear. Fear that I couldn’t afford it.

But when I finally surrendered the reins back to God, praying “Lead me Lord” with trembling faith, everything fell into place. The book launch turned out to be smoother and more successful than I could have imagined.

2. The Wisdom in Slowing Down

We live in an era where constant motion seems to be the only indicator of success. The pressure to always be doing something big, something life-changing, and then broadcasting it to the world has become our norm. But I learned that it’s crucial to resist this pressure.

Don’t let the noise of fear and anxiety about the next big thing drown out God’s voice calling you to stillness. It’s okay to:

• Reach the end of a season in your life
• Not know your next step
• Return to the drawing board
• Restructure your path

Remember, you have your whole life ahead of you. Don’t sacrifice your future trying to maintain an image that no longer serves you.

3. Understanding Divine Flexibility

One of the most liberating revelations of 2024 was understanding that God can change His mind. Think about those times when you’re certain you received a mandate for a business, purpose, or career. Everything starts great, but then things change. When you’ve tried everything and nothing works, it’s okay to seek God’s guidance for a new direction.

Just as God led Abraham through different seasons while fulfilling His purpose, He might be transitioning you into a new season. A closed door doesn’t mean you heard wrong – it might simply mean that season has served its purpose.

4. Embracing Action

Sometimes growth requires stepping out of your comfort zone into new territory. I experienced this when finally taking that psychology course I’d been avoiding. I had every excuse: wanting to study abroad, cost concerns, timing issues. But when I finally took action, I discovered the growth I’d been denying myself.

The same grace, skills, and drive that brought you this far will see you through new challenges. So just do it – take that course, apply for that internship, put yourself out there.

5. The Danger of Self-Reliance

My husband often complimented me on my drive, saying, “If I had half as much drive as you have, I would be very successful by now.” I never fully understood this because taking action on ideas seemed natural to me. Every inspiration led to immediate research and execution – until I encountered Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

This taught me that not every great idea is a God-idea. Sometimes what seems brilliant might actually be a distraction from our true calling. Learning to wait for God’s guidance before acting has transformed my decision-making process.

6. Recognizing Pride’s Subtle Influence

Pride has a way of disguising itself behind reasonable excuses. This year taught me to examine my motivations more carefully, especially when feeling rushed to make decisions. When questioning why certain things happen to us, it’s worth asking, “Why not me?”

7. The True Nature of Friendship

Quality trumps quantity when it comes to relationships. I used to chase friendships, trying to build an impressive social circle. But when I truly needed support, only my core group – those few, genuine friends – showed up. God sends people for seasons, and some for a lifetime. These lifetime friends form your tribe, requiring no convincing to stay in your corner.

8. The Art of Romanticizing Your Life

Life’s ups and downs are inevitable. The sooner we accept this truth, the more liberating “This too shall pass” becomes. Instead of running from reality or living in denial:

• Accept your current situation
• Take action to improve what you can
• Find joy in the present moment
• Create memories with loved ones
• Embrace your journey’s uniqueness

9. The Power of Reading

Rekindling my reading habit opened new mental horizons. Books are like getting insider knowledge or traveling to new places for minimal cost. They contain lifetimes of wisdom, research, and experience. An unopened book might hold the very answers your life needs.

10. Deepening Divine Connection

The crowning achievement of 2024 was embracing my relationship with God openly. No more hiding my faith or limiting my spiritual expression. This authenticity led to deeper understanding and trust. As I step into the new year, despite its uncertainties, I carry the assurance of walking with a God who knows the end from the beginning.

Looking Forward

While a new year of 365 days might seem daunting, I’m stepping forward with confidence, knowing I walk with a God who loves me, cares for me, and has already mapped out the journey ahead.

What life lessons did 2024 teach you?