Should We Say “Good Riddance to 2022”? 
My husband, Larry, and I were talking about our past year and he said, “Good riddance. I can’t wait for 2023!” I felt the same and it seemed reasonable.
We had experienced a flurry of surprising challenges this past year, including both of us being treated for cancer. I had breast cancer surgery (read about my journey HERE) and Larry had radiation for prostate cancer.
Also, we are still adjusting to living in a different state which brought good and unexpected adjustments. We were caught off guard in many ways including our ministry being diminished.
Yet, we reflected on many wonderful parts of 2022 including the best part of living closer to some family members, even as we are farther from other family members.
So after our initial thought of “Good Riddance to 2022,” we began thinking, “What does saying ‘good riddance’ really mean? Is it a godly response?” We decided it could indicate:
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An all or nothing attitude that all of 2022 was bad and 2023 is guaranteed to be good.
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God was just as surprised as we were and maybe even caught off guard like we were.
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God wasn’t really very wise and will treat us better next year.
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Maybe the Bible is wrong when God says His ways are always intended for our good.
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God will have another opportunity to prove Himself good and faithful in 2023.
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God will be just as eager and relieved to say “good riddance” as we are.
Now I recognize these ideas seem silly, even ridiculous, because they are extreme and not what we really think we mean by “good riddance.” After all, isn’t it sorta a “throw-away” kind of phrase we toss out there to express our desire for better circumstances? And if we’re honest, even no difficulties at all?
But what is your heart and mind really believing?
The truth as the Bible tells us is:
to expect difficulties
all things work together for good to those who love God
God is sovereign over all and does what He pleases
God providentially plans for good in the midst of difficulty, uncertainty, and pain
God uses afflictions of all sorts to develop our faith and dependence on Him.
TWEET THIS: What are you thinking about all this? Should we say “Good Riddance to 2022?”
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
OK, that’s really insightful. Thoughtful perspective . . . thanks for challenging my thinking!
Coming from a wise person like you–the author of multiple, best selling books–I consider that a valued comment. Thanks Mike. Happy New Year to you and Diane.
To my followers: yes, you should check out the books by Mike Bechtle. You will be inspired and empowered. Go to: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mike-Bechtle/author/B001JSA7O6?
For Craig and me, we are always looking to the new year with expectations as to what will happen, hoping for blessings. Yet if we are truly honest about the end of 2020, 2021, and now 2022, we would say good riddance to Covid-19 and all the sadness it brought. However, there were great blessings in our lives in those years personally. Thinking about the amazing way God is Sovereign gives us hope for the future, as we look toward 2023. Happy New Year to you and Larry. We miss you both!
Thanks for sharing, Micki. We miss you and Craig also. We all are on God’s designed adventures. Love you!
Happy New Year my dear friend!!! I have learned a lot this year in a few different areas of my life…lost 3 fur babies (really old dogs)… lost my very first Navy friend…visited the grandkids in CA…and my oldest granddaughter came to live in OK. And I have seen God’s hand on my life in all of it!! I can’t imagine a day without Jesus in my life!! All because of you and my wonderful God Parents!! So, I say, bring on 2023…what have you got for me this coming year!!! Love you!!!
Dearest Linda, my long life forever best friend. How I rejoice in God’s work in our lives. Who would have thought what God had in mind for all of us, all the way back to early school days. I’m sorry to hear of your losses. I join you in rejoicing in whatever God has for us. Love you!
Great question to consider Ms. Kathy. Still praying for you and Mr. Larry, but can appreciate your desire to put 2022 behind you. I’ve adopted a different approach to both year end and the anew one fast approaching. “God’s will” I am definite that there were a great many things about 2022 that I didn’t like. Losing my eyesight, illness and injury, decreased revenue, drought and the loss of livestock, INFLATION that’s out of control, and many others. Yet, there are also many things I am thankful for in 2022. My wife and I are still here and together, our new church home has turned out to be everything we had hoped and prayed for, I’m still a “Light Writer”, and I still have a great many Christian writing friends who faithfully pray for me, as I do them. Are there things I’d like to forget about this past year? Of course, but in all those circumstances, both trials and victories, I find things that God has shown or taught me. As I continue to strive to be “set apart” through sanctification, I’m often reminded of how far yet I have to go. Looking into 2023, I pray God’s will be shown to me and through me. I can live with that. 🙂 God’s blessings and prayers for a happy and healthy 2023 sweet friends.
J.D., as you are so excellent at doing, that is exactly the point of my post. God’s will! And He uses everything. I’m so glad that the Lord provided in 2022 a great church for you two and strength to be sanctified because of your challenges. Every year is a mixture of what we label “good” and “bad.” Your perspective of trusting in God’s will makes everything a kind of “good.” Thank you for sharing your wisdom,J.D. Keep it up in 2023!