DEEPER STILL: Week Forty-Nine
Celebrate the Victories
1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Reflections
Spiritual progress begins with honest self-examination. Like David in Psalm 139:23–24, we can pray for God to search our hearts and minds, identify areas of sin or needed growth, and ask Him to lead us in His paths. Assessments allow us to recognize the transformation God is working in our lives. They help us see whether our desires, thoughts, and actions are aligning more with Christ. Honest reflection is not a trap—it’s a tool. It helps us identify areas in need of grace and allows us to celebrate victories—small and great!
We celebrate as we reflect:
• Is there a greater will to focus on the Lord? (Ps. 16:8)
• Can we distinguish the voice of God from the voice of our enemies?
• Have we identified unhealthy patterns and sought to make changes toward healthier living?
• Have we learned to lean into His grace when we are weak? (Rom. 12:9)
• Have we guarded ourselves against sinful anger? (Eph. 4:26–27)
• Are we finding greater peace with God? (Job 42:2)
• Are we guarding our speech? (Prov. 26:4)
• Are we seeking a more intimate walk with God? (1 John 1:6)
• Are we choosing to forgive? (Rom. 12:18)
• Do we have a better understanding of what restoration means? (Ps. 51:12–13)
• Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our steps? (Ps. 37:23–24)
Progress is not perfection; it is movement in the right direction. “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6)
In Joshua 3:10–4:8, God leads the Israelites across the Jordan River on dry ground, delivering them from slavery in Egypt. At the end of their crossing, God instructs them to build a memorial using stones from the riverbed. We are a forgetful people, and trauma especially can cause us to focus on the negative—what we still need to do, where we have failed, or where we fall short.
Instead, let’s celebrate movement and find ways to memorialize and remember God’s victories in our lives. When we begin to lose focus, we can look back on the lessons learned, the progress made, and the truth that God is at work within us. Journal, start a rock garden, cover your fridge with reminders, or create a scrapbook.
Can you join David in singing of the mercies of God and making His faithfulness known to all generations? (Ps. 89:1)
Prayer
Lord, reveal where I have grown, so I might celebrate Your work in my life. Help me to always remember Your goodness in me.
