My absolute favorite time of year is the Christmas and New Year seasons. I love everything about it: decorating, baking goodies, buying gifts, watching Hallmark movies, spending time with family, watching football bowl games, staying up until midnight (which I rarely do), and shooting fireworks to ring in the start of a brand new year. It just doesn’t get any better.

Another thing I love about this season is the anticipation of what is to come in the next year. We have the chance to start the new year with a fresh start. We are given yet another opportunity to make changes and adjustments, in order to experience something different, something new.

If you are like me, you want to have your best year yet: a year of significant milestones and growth. Each year we need to evaluate our physical, emotional, and spiritual health and pray so that we may discern what we need to adjust or implement.

So, here are a few things I would like you to consider as 2020 is now upon us:

• How are you doing physically? have you had a checkup recently? Do you need to address any health concerns? Are you taking care of yourself? Are you active and getting regular exercise, or do you need to get more rest and relaxation in your life? Consider these physical areas of your life and determine what you can do to heighten your physical health.
• How are you doing emotionally? Are there concerns or areas in your life that you are avoiding? Do you need to process anything with a friend or counselor? Are you struggling with anxiety or depression? Don’t be afraid to address these issues; instead, face the hard answers and take steps to better your emotional well-being.
• How are you doing spiritually? Are you growing, or are you complacent in your walk with Christ? Are you involved in your church community, or are you living isolated and alone? Do you have a regular time that you spend with the Lord each day? Evaluate your spiritual walk and discern how and why you can experience spiritual growth.

Our health in all three of these areas is of the utmost importance in our lives. It is not only important personally, but also for everyone else who is a part of your life. I do not say this to merely add more to your to-do list or daily tasks. Rather, I say this so you can have the chance to fuel your endurance in your life and in ministry.

Most importantly, pay attention to your spiritual health. If you aren’t involved in a small group, that may be a good place to start. Or, perhaps reach out to discipleship groups or Bible studies. I believe that your number one ministry in 2020 needs to be you! If you are like me, I will take care of everyone else at the expense of myself. However, I have learned that if I neglect myself in all of these other areas, I am no good to anyone. Yet, if I minister to myself first, I am good for everyone in my life.

Now – before the first month of the new year is over – is the perfect time to reflect on this past year and think about where you can improve. Take a few moments to consider where you want to see change happen. When you think about your physical, emotional, and spiritual health, is there one in particular you feel a need to focus on more?

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Kandi Gallaty is a pastor’s wife, a mother of two boys, and a speaker and writer who is devoted to making disciples and cultivating a passion in women for God’s word. Along with her husband Robby, she is the co-author of Foundations of NT and together, they also lead Replicate, a ministry that educates, equips, and empowers believers to make disciples who make disciples. Kandi and her family live outside of Nashville, Tennessee and serve at their wonderful church, Long Hollow Baptist Church.