Will 2022 be a good year? What will 2022 look like? What will 2022 bring? These are all questions people are asking about the new year ahead. And perhaps today there are more questions than ever as people around the world feel they face an uncertain future.
There is no country on earth that is unaffected by the ongoing COVID pandemic, the threat of new variants and more lockdowns or travel restrictions. These are very real challenges that can affect our health personally as well as our mental health. Plus, prices are rising all the time and it seems more and more difficult to provide for one’s family.
Many countries face a loss of trust in their leaders, political instability, or the danger of war. America is divided, civil unrest is commonplace. Iran is on the warpath, especially against Israel, and Russian troops are amassing on the border with Ukraine. Afghanistan, Yemen, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Sudan remain areas of violent conflict. And people of different faiths continue to be persecuted and especially Christians.
Yet, the Bible has a very encouraging promise to all who will believe it no matter how much the whole world shakes. “ ‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10)
What will 2022 look like?
So, it’s against this challenging backdrop that we examine what 2022 will look like. In simple terms, things may not change overnight so this new year may be very similar to 2021. For the optimist, there will always be things to look forward to, just like people of faith will always find reasons for hope. On the other hand, there will invariably be pessimists and doomsayers who make negative or dire predictions.
The Bible itself has much to say about the times we live in and the signs of the End of the Age. We know there will be wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes, lawlessness etc. This is clearly predicted, however, how do you or I as an individual cope in 2022? What will 2022 look like for you and your family? I think it all comes down to a personal decision as to who we put our trust in.
If we put our trust in Jesus, we can live life without worry, knowing that whatever happens, we are in God’s hands. Jesus is the friend that stays closer than a brother and He has promised to be with us no matter what. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” he says in Matthew 28:20.
What an assurance we have that if we make Jesus our Lord we can have peace even in difficult times. For many Christians, John 16:33 must be one of the most reassuring verses in the Bible. This is where Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus confirms that anyone who lives in this world will experience challenges however we are not to worry. So whatever, 2022 brings, draw closer to Jesus and know His peace that passes all understanding.
Also read: Be a Repairer of the Breach. God calls each of us to be a ‘Repairer of the breach’; to fix that which is broken, to put things right where we can.
Al Gibson
Wordsmith, overcomer and exhorter. Al has a degree in Journalism and Media Studies and years of communications experience in Africa, the UK, Israel and USA. He left South Africa in 2001 and worked for GOD TV in England for 18 years. He now heads up Countdown Creative, a content creation business in Exeter. Al is the author of three biographies. Blogs he writes for include GODTV.com; International Christian and UK and US Christian.
