Full Restoration

Do you choose a word to focus on for the year? Sometimes I follow the trend, sometimes I don’t. When I do, it usually begins with prayer and meditation. Other times, the idea creeps into my head before I think about it. The word chooses me, so to speak. This year is one such year. 

My 2022 word is restoration. But not merely restoration ­— I’m talking restoration to the nth degree.

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)

Have we ever faced a time when full restoration was more needed? We’re weary of Covid developments, of division in our country. We miss our family, our normal way of life. Our place of worship may be different, and we miss the way it used to be.

After the disappointments of 2021 when I thought vaccination would put the virus behind us, I’ve been hesitant to hope for too much in 2022. That is, until the word restoration surfaced. Some digging in the Bible confirmed it was the right choice for me.

The Biblical Meaning of Restoration

In simple terms, restoration means to return something to its original condition. But a Bible dictionary goes further. The biblical meaning is to receive back more than has been lost. In other words, the result is greater than the original condition. Something or someone is improved beyond measure.

The biblical meaning of restoration is to receive back more than has been lost. In other words, the result is greater than the original condition. Something or someone is improved beyond measure. #Godsrestoration #hope Share on X

Throughout the Bible, God blesses people for their faith and hardships by making up for their losses by giving them more than they had.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)

If this seems too much to hope for in 2022, consider the following.

We Serve a Limitless God.

God is without limits. He is all-powerful and all-knowing. Our God is a big God. Why limit Him with our personal doubts and fears? Let’s pray big. Let’s get out of the state of mind of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Examine your heart. What we think influences what we believe and what we belief influences how we pray. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) reads “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”  Let’s not be people with little expectations.

Believe God’s promises. Expect Him to do big things in 2022.

Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

I’m curious. If you chose a word for the year, please drop it in the comments below. Or tell us something you pray to be fully restored.

I’m praying that childhood be fully restored. Since the pandemic, many children are haunted by fear and uncertainty during what should be a happy and carefree time.

Until next time,

Candyce