I will be blunt and say that 2016 was an awful year. Life threw me a curveball quite a few times. When people would ask, "How are things going?" I would respond with, "Rolling with the punches." It was true. Life threw something at me, I would dodge it to the best of my ability and keep moving forward.

Not everything that happened in 2016 was awful. There were some good memories made, I had the opportunity to travel across the country, and I finished my first year of college while still keeping the 4.0. Still, 2016 was an eye opener.

2016 was not just a bad year from my personal experiences, but also for the world. As I reflect on how our world has changed, it makes me realize we have had no progress whatsoever.

For example, we elected a new president. No matter what we were going to get a new president; it was inevitable. The aftermath of the election was not. Friends and family members fought viciously on social media. I heard stories of others fighting over their Thanksgiving dinners. For what reason? It was an election. An election held like the 56 before. The clear divisions seen after the election show how broken America is currently.

Then look at the crime rate. Our terrorist threats have not decreased. We have had more mass shootings, terrorist attacks, police violence, violence targeting police, and general crime than in 2015. Things are not getting better.

Everything bad that has happened from 2016 gives me no reason to believe I should look forward to 2017. There is no reason for hope when things are heading south, right? I decide to put my faith in something greater than our world.

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
~Matthew 6:34

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
~Jeremiah 29:11

Knowing God has everything under control gives me the faith to know that 2017 will be a better year.