My father was a builder, so I grew up around construction sites, tools, and lumber. I learned a lot from my father, not only about building, but also about life. My father’s life mirrored his values and his actions modeled his beliefs.
Key elements for constructing a sound structure are a sturdy, level, and plumb foundation, the necessary tools, and the right materials for the job. Building a strong new year is a lot like building an edifice. You need a solid foundation, good tools, and quality materials.
Following are nine key life building blocks for 2024:
Love
Love is a word with multiple meanings. We say we love an item or a type of food, yet use the same word when referring to a person. The ancient Greeks coined four words for love to better identify the meanings: storge (affection), philia (friendship), eros (passion), and agape (selflessness).
Love is an essential building material for life. Without love, we are controlled by selfishness. This year, examine what you love and see if your love for things overshadows your love for the people in your life. Express your love to family and friends in words and deeds. Above all, let love bind you to those around you. With love as our tool, we can show compassion, forgive those who wound us, and sustain forward motion.
Joy
When circumstances are difficult, joy is hard to maintain. But if you recognize and cherish joy, it bubbles deep within, even when life is hard. Joy is the tool to reach for when all around you is chaos. If joy is a struggle for you, look to the beauty of nature, the laughter of a child, and the togetherness of family. Keep joy close at hand.
Peace
In a world of war, unrest, and violence, peace is sometimes elusive. Yet God-given peace is internal and lasting. No matter what is going on around you, the peace of God is available. Peace sustains us when circumstances are beyond our control.
Kindness
What do you think of when you think of kindness? Often, we see acts of kindness at Christmas—a charitable donation, gifts for those less fortunate, visiting the elderly. But what if kindness was part of us all year. Kindness doesn’t take much effort. Hold a door for the next person. Pay for the order behind you in a drive-thru. Compliment a restaurant server. Invite someone to church or to share a meal. In 2024, let kindness become part of who you are.
Gentleness
Gentleness is a quality often absent in our culture. It’s much more likely to see anger, rudeness, and selfishness. Often, gentleness must be cultivated because it goes against our natural bent. This year, work on gentleness.
For you, gentleness may mean a change of perspective, a more positive outlook, or softer words and reactions. In cultivating this life building block, you give the gift of gentleness to those around you and develop inner peace.
Patience
Like gentleness, patience requires cultivation. It’s so much easier to express impatience than to master the fine art of waiting. We live in an instant society, so patience is an often overlooked and underutilized quality. But patience is a tool with big benefits. Patience protects, teaches, and prepares. Try patience and see.
Self-Control
In some ways, patience and self-control are kissing cousins. Self-control utilizes patience, while training you to wait. Self-control squashes impulsiveness and provides a sturdy foundation for other life building blocks. The by-product of self-control is elevated self-esteem. Mastering self-control allows you to look back and realize, with God’s help, you conquered impulsivity and immediate self-gratification.
Faithfulness
The dictionary definition of the word “faithful” is one who is steadfast in affection or allegiance; loyal, a faithful friend; firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty; conscientious. But faithfulness also extends to trust, particularly trusting God for protection, peace, and guidance, while remaining faithful to live lives worthy of God’s grace. In 2024, remain faithful in trust, love, and obedience to God.
Wisdom
Wisdom is a foundational element available to all, yet often we must be willing to ask for wisdom. Sometimes we fall into the trap of feeling wise in our own eyes rather than asking God to provide wisdom for decisions big and small. God sees our full life picture while we see only snapshots.
Those who are wise recognize their inadequacy and continue to seek Godly wisdom. Wisdom is a tool everyone should keep close at hand in their toolbelt for living, and that is accomplished by continual communion with the Father. Be sure to build your new year on wisdom.
By building on love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, patience, self-control, faithfulness, and wisdom, you construct a solid foundation for your life in 2024.
“Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation] (Proverbs 24:3 AMP).
“If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5 AMP).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
To receive Candy’s blog, Forward Motion, via email, go to https://candyarrington.com/blog/ and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.