The Best of 2022

Four Lessons for the New Year: Renew Your Mind, Live Consistently, Give Generously, Trust Amid Doubt

Scripture References

• Romans 15:13
• 2 Corinthians 8:11

Overview

In a year-end rewind the hosts replay four crowd-favorite clips that trace a single thread: God equips us to move from scarcity, drift, and uncertainty into overflowing, steady, faith-filled living. Pastor Craig Groeschel teaches how to ruminate on Scripture and rewrite toxic thoughts; how “why power” fuels steady habits; how Jesus meets us right inside our doubts. Pastor Bobby Gruenewald (Overflow series) adds a picture of radical, joyful generosity. Each segment offers a clear practice—meditate, pre-decide, give now, reach out to Christ—that lets God’s abundance shape everyday life.

Themes

Silencing Negative Thoughts (Peace of Mind series)

• Meditate like a cow ruminates: chew, swallow, bring back up until every nutrient is extracted.
• The Hebrew word for “meditate” carries the same idea—slow, repeated reflection on God’s Word.
• Craig’s low point (occupational burnout) was met by rehearsing Romans 15:13 all day:

  “May the God of hope fill me with joy and peace as I trust in Him…”

• Mind governed by the flesh spirals downward; mind governed by the Spirit brings life and peace.
• Four “power thoughts” to speak aloud, each built from Scripture, targeting: cynicism, negative filtering, all-or-nothing thinking, and victimhood.
  Illustration: taking photos of the declarations so they stay in front of you.

The Power of Consistency (Pre-Decide series)

• “It’s not what we do occasionally that makes the difference; it’s what we do consistently.”
• Three-part game plan to pre-decide consistency:
  1. Start with the why – devotion, not mere desire. Daniel prayed three times daily because he loved God.
  2. Plan to fail – expect resistance and prepare to resume.
  3. Fall in love with the process – value daily obedience over dramatic outcomes.
• New Year’s goals collapse when they wait for January 1 and lack a compelling why.
• Quote:

  “I’m not talking about willpower; I’m talking about why power.”

• When values are clear, decisions grow easier, even under pressure.

Living in Overflow: Generosity Now (Overflow series)

• Mindset shifts that release overflow:
  1. From “not enough” to “more than enough.”
  2. From “my resources” to “God’s resources.”
  3. From “I’ll give when…” to “I’ll give now.”
• Paul urged Corinth to match early eagerness with actual giving (2 Cor 8:11).
• Story: Orville Rogers—commercial pilot who earned $1.5 million over 40 years yet gave away $35 million by stewarding, investing, and starting as soon as he could.
• Takeaway: It’s never too early and never too late to step into generous obedience and taste “the overflowing joy of generosity.”

Dealing with Your Doubts (Doubting God series)

• The resurrected Jesus walked through locked doors for Thomas, inviting touch and proof.
• Doubts do not disqualify faith; faith is the vehicle that presses through doubt.
• The enemy tries to use questions to push people from God; God can use the same questions to pull people toward Himself.
• Story: Moments before preaching, Craig was swamped with fear that none of this was real. A flashback to his college conversion reminded him that transformed life is evidence—faith has always required faith.
• Encouragement: Jesus is no standoff Savior. If He seems distant, reach out; He’s reaching back.

Key Truths

• Ongoing meditation on Scripture rewires the mind and fortifies hope.
• A clear, compelling “why” converts good intentions into durable habits.
• Generosity flourishes when we see all we have as God’s and act immediately, not “someday.”
• Honest questions can become a doorway to deeper intimacy with Christ; faith is not the absence of doubt but perseverance through it.

Response

• Memorize one verse that speaks directly to your current mental battle and repeat it whenever negative loops surface.
• Write down your top “why” for the habit you most need, and revisit it daily until it shapes decisions automatically.
• Give something tangible today—time, money, or talent—as a first (or renewed) act of overflow.
• Bring every lingering doubt to Jesus in prayer; ask Him to meet you the way He met Thomas.

Closing

The hosts challenge each listener to identify “your one” lesson to carry into the new year. Whether it’s mastering your thought life, anchoring new habits, stepping into courageous generosity, or trusting God in unanswered questions, the invitation stays the same: move now, by faith, with the God who overflows with hope.

Prayer

The group prayed for God to seal whatever truth stood out—renewed minds, consistent devotion, generous hearts, or faith amid uncertainty—and asked for continued direction as each person responds.