Reflection, Faith, and the Power of Asking
Earlier today, I was congratulating someone on retiring from the military and scrolling through the comments celebrating her success. Her final official day would be December 31. Then I noticed a suggestion that stopped me in my tracks:
Mark a date—January 1. Pick a time. Intentionally celebrate all the small and large wins of the year.
I remember doing this myself in the past, and it was powerful. Not rushing into goals. Not immediately planning what’s next. But pausing long enough to acknowledge what actually happened.
That pause matters more than we realize.
Why The Research Matters
Research across psychology, education, and leadership consistently shows that intentional reflection increases motivation, resilience, and long-term follow-through. People who review their progress before setting new goals are more likely to stay engaged, make realistic adjustments, and avoid burnout.
Positive psychology research also shows that naming wins—especially small ones—helps counter the brain’s natural tendency to focus only on what feels unfinished or lacking. This practice reduces stress, restores clarity, and builds confidence.
Reflection isn’t about living in the past. It’s about strengthening how we move forward.
The Spiritual Side of Reflection
Spiritually, reflection is an act of remembrance.
Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly instructs His people to remember—not so they dwell on yesterday, but so they recognize His faithfulness, provision, and guidance over time. Reflection helps us see where growth was happening quietly, where obedience mattered more than outcomes, and where grace carried us when we felt unsure.
Taking time to name wins is stewardship. It honors what has been entrusted and acknowledges that fruit often grows before we notice it.
Why Small Wins Matter
Many people struggle with reflection because they’re looking for “big” moments. But research on habit formation shows that small wins create momentum. They build belief, and belief fuels consistency.
Spiritually, small wins often reveal something deeper:
- Choosing to ask instead of striving
- Resting instead of forcing
- Seeking direction instead of rushing ahead
Small does not mean insignificant.
When Wins Don’t Look the Way, You Expected
Some of the most meaningful wins don’t arrive as breakthroughs. They arrive as decisions.
This year included wins that began the same way many things do. Sitting down, attempting to start, and realizing something different was needed. The shift came through asking. Asking for help. Asking for direction. Asking instead of striving.
What followed was momentum that didn’t come from pressure, but from alignment.
There were wins that looked practical rather than impressive. Creating a website, for example, wasn’t about flash or perfection. It was about having a necessary foundation and a place to house what is being created now and what will continue to grow over time. It wasn’t everything I might have imagined, but it was complete. And completion matters because it allows development without starting from ground zero again and again.
There were also wins that were quieter but deeply significant. Writing consistently, launching new creative work, and creating a space where women can grow together in their faith and hold each other accountable. Growth like that doesn’t always come with visible markers, but it produces lasting fruit.
The common thread in all of these wins was not effort alone. It was humility. It was asking. It was obedience in small, consistent ways.
Sometimes the win is not the outcome. Sometimes the win is the decision to begin differently.
How to Practice This Yourself
You don’t need a planner or a system. Keep it simple.
1. Pick a Date and Time Treat it like an appointment. January 1 works well, but any quiet moment will do.
2. Use Three Categories
- Personal
- Professional
- Spiritual or relational
3. Set a 10–15 Minute Timer Write freely. No editing. No minimizing.
4. Start With the Smallest Wins If it feels “too small,” write it anyway.
If You’re Not Sure Where to Start
Here are examples of what wins can look like:
- I asked for help when I usually wouldn’t
- I rested without guilt
- I finished something I once abandoned
- I stayed consistent, even imperfectly
- I learned what no longer fits
- I trusted God instead of forcing clarity
As you begin naming them, you may be surprised how the list grows.
Why This Is the Perfect Way to Begin a New Year
When you start the year by acknowledging what has already been built, you don’t move forward discouraged or disconnected. You step forward grounded, grateful, and aware that momentum already exists.
Sometimes the most powerful way to move forward is to first recognize how far you’ve already come.
Stay Connected
Thank you for reading this edition of the Refreshed Newsletter. If this reflection resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who may be encouraged by it.
You can explore my books, writing, and resources here:
Remember to Refresh Others.
“So never withhold life-giving water from others, for your own life will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 (The Passion Translation)