A New Year, A Steady God
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” - Proverbs 3:5
A new year often brings a strange mix of excitement and pressure. People make lists, set goals, chase improvement, and try to become a stronger version of themselves. There is nothing wrong with growth, but many step into a new year believing everything depends on their effort. They feel like the entire weight of the next twelve months sits on their shoulders. That pressure usually leads to discouragement long before February arrives.
Scripture invites you to build your year on something stronger than self-improvement. God never asked you to carry your future alone. He invites you to trust Him with it. Real transformation does not come from trying harder. It comes from surrendering deeper. It begins when you shift your focus from what you want to accomplish to who you want to become in the hands of God.
A new year is not powerful because the calendar changes. It is powerful when your posture changes. When your heart slows down long enough to listen. When you give God room to shape your priorities. When you trust His wisdom more than your own plans. He knows the places where you need healing. He knows the habits that are weighing you down. He knows the opportunities you cannot see yet. Leaning on your own understanding will only take you so far, but leaning on Him will take you farther than you imagined.
This year will bring moments of clarity and moments of confusion. There will be victories you did not expect and challenges you did not choose. Through it all, God will be steady. He will not be shaken by what shakes you. His presence will meet you in every step. His strength will carry you in every weakness. His peace will steady you in every storm.
Instead of setting resolutions that rise and fall, set your heart on the One who never changes. Trust Him with your decisions. Invite Him into your schedule. Look for Him in your relationships. Let this year be marked not by striving, but by surrender. The God who carried you through every previous season will carry you again. A new year does not make your life new. Jesus does. And He is ready to lead you into everything He has prepared for you.
A new year often brings a strange mix of excitement and pressure. People make lists, set goals, chase improvement, and try to become a stronger version of themselves. There is nothing wrong with growth, but many step into a new year believing everything depends on their effort. They feel like the entire weight of the next twelve months sits on their shoulders. That pressure usually leads to discouragement long before February arrives.
Scripture invites you to build your year on something stronger than self-improvement. God never asked you to carry your future alone. He invites you to trust Him with it. Real transformation does not come from trying harder. It comes from surrendering deeper. It begins when you shift your focus from what you want to accomplish to who you want to become in the hands of God.
A new year is not powerful because the calendar changes. It is powerful when your posture changes. When your heart slows down long enough to listen. When you give God room to shape your priorities. When you trust His wisdom more than your own plans. He knows the places where you need healing. He knows the habits that are weighing you down. He knows the opportunities you cannot see yet. Leaning on your own understanding will only take you so far, but leaning on Him will take you farther than you imagined.
This year will bring moments of clarity and moments of confusion. There will be victories you did not expect and challenges you did not choose. Through it all, God will be steady. He will not be shaken by what shakes you. His presence will meet you in every step. His strength will carry you in every weakness. His peace will steady you in every storm.
Instead of setting resolutions that rise and fall, set your heart on the One who never changes. Trust Him with your decisions. Invite Him into your schedule. Look for Him in your relationships. Let this year be marked not by striving, but by surrender. The God who carried you through every previous season will carry you again. A new year does not make your life new. Jesus does. And He is ready to lead you into everything He has prepared for you.
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6 Comments
Amen!!! This word is so good and refreshing. Hope for tomorrow and strength for today only in the Lord Jesus!!! Thank you Pastor Ed!!!
It’s on my heart to tell everyone to be safe tonight. There’s gonna be a lot of emotion running around tonight. An extra set of eyes goes a long way to save a life. Love yall
Its a new year beginning in 12 hours. As I sit and read my devotional for the day. Its a countdown to a new year. But its a countdown to serving God m I re and better than ever before. No looking back at the past or the last year. Because God has something new for those who are ready to serve him. Lord your so good to us all. I praise your name. Help me Lord to always be ready for you.
Amen.???
Amen. My mom has taken me to Church and gave me a Bible which I still have and she always told me to pray. I still believe in God and Jesus and have always ? and Thank them everyday. Thank you CBC also.
This was definitely a message for me. Went straight to my heart. I am so in need of surrendering myself, my desires, my health and my concerns for this new year so my Lord. Thank you for these timely wise words.