One of my favorite practices during the week between Christmas and New Year is to pull out my journals, notebooks, and calendar from the past year — and look back. I take time to remember all the big milestones and small joys, all the heartaches and blessings I never saw coming. I read through written prayers and recall the ways God answered them or the places where I’m still waiting to see His faithfulness on display.
Looking back, actively remembering, and intentionally praising God primes my heart to receive any direction He wants to provide for the year ahead.
And yes, I’m a big fan of direction! (Please don’t make me guess, Lord!) Thankfully, God’s Word is full of His promises to lead, guide, and direct us!
Here are just a few examples:
“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8 NLT
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go.”
Isaiah 30:21 NLT
“ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”
John 16:13 NLT
One way God has consistently guided me is through a Word of the Year. After I reflect on the twelve months behind me, I ask God what He wants me to know about the twelve months ahead. I ask God other questions like:
- What do You want me to focus on this year?
- What promise do You want me to cling to?
- How do you want to grow me to become more like You, Jesus?
- Where are you working, Lord, and how can I partner with You?
- Is there a specific word or phrase that You want to use to guide my year?
Then I listen. Wait. Be still. Breathe. And record whatever the Holy Spirit brings to my mind. And I can tell you, friends, year after year, God has been so faithful to speak! I’ve received words like continue, delight, rest, strength, and expectancy. I could fill a whole book with the ways these words have marked my heart and ordered my steps.
And I’m not special! I don’t have unique access to God. His throne of grace is open to ALL of His children (Hebrews 4:16). Anyone who needs wisdom can ask God and He will give it! (James 1:5). Jesus said to keep on asking! (Matthew 7:7-8).
You, dear one, can seek God and receive all that He has for you today and for the year ahead.
And if you need a little help, keep reading to see how our friends at DaySpring have put together a resource to discover a Word of the Year that will be meaningful to you today and for the next twelve months!
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”
Psalm 37:23-24 NLT
I’m praising God for His faithfulness yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And I’m praising God for YOU!
Here’s to looking back, looking forward, and receiving ALL that the good Lord has for us.
Becky Keife
(in)courage Community & Editorial Manager
As we softly step into 2025 and begin a new year, many of us are excited to make resolutions, set goals, and create positive changes in our lives. As believers, the new year also means continuing to grow and deepen our faith and live it out with intentionality – for this, choosing a word of the year can be a powerful tool.
What does it mean to choose a Word of the Year?
Everywhere we turn — whether online or in the world around us — we’re bombarded with tips and ideas for New Year’s resolutions and carefully curated plans. But what if we’re seeking direction from the wrong sources? What if the true, life-giving guidance we need is already laid out for us in God’s Word?
What if 2025 could be different?
In John 16:33, Jesus tells us, “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.” God offers us unshakeable peace — a peace that transcends the ups and downs of life, rooted in Christ’s victory over all. Instead of fleeting resolutions, let’s focus on God’s eternal truth as our guide for the next twelve months, and beyond!
Get your 2025 Word of the Year at dayspring.com!
Allow us to help you discover a theme from God’s Word that will speak directly to where you are, offering clarity and steady peace in every step you take throughout 2025. Because we have unshakeable peace in Christ, we can do anything through Him. Now, what is God calling you to do this year?
You’re just a few questions away from discovering your Word of the Year for 2025!
Becky,
Thank you for the reminder to choose a word for 2025. I am still recovering from all the Christmas wonder and haven’t thought about New Years beyond buying the ingredients to make homemade pizzas on New Year’s Eve with family and a few friends.
I’ll share your devotion now as I have found so much in this practice through the decades.
Sending you “Turn Over a New Leaf” and New Year Joy,
Lisa
Dear Becky…………Oh my, I am so very glad that today’s devotion is from you. You and others from (in)courage have touched my heart in so many ways. Watch for a card coming your way for everything you have done for me. I got 1 Christmas present this year from some individuals who I thought never even knew me. I won’t go on right now as I will begin to cry with joy and happiness. Your words today have given me so much to think about and think, I will. I like the idea of a Word for the Year, but right now I just don’t know which is the right one. There are so many I can think of especially in my situations which do continue. HOPE is the first word that comes to mind, that finally this heartbreaking season that I have been in for 6 years will finally be over. No more lawyers and blame being placed on me by my son and husband. If you read this, do you think that HOPE is a good word for me? I just love all the suggestions and scriptures that you give us in your words today, Becky. You and the women from (in)courage just makes my soul feel warm and gracious . Thank you Becky! I love you as every morning when I get up, all I think about is to get to my computer and read the words given us that day. Our world is so upside down right now and I pray to the Lord that 2025 will see some positive things all over the world and no more wars and people being killed and all the children that have lost their lives. Happy New Year to you ,Becky. It is one more situation from this season that I need to get through as my beloved father who was my best friend died at 58 years old on New Year’s Eve Day after suffering from cancer misdiagnosed by a doctor. I know my father is in Heaven which I know is a glorious place, but I still miss touching his hand and kissing him. Just one more thing, Before we had to have him taken to the hospital, he fell and my mother called me for Jim and I to come to help her. We finally got him back to bed and we stood around his bed trying to talk to him. I got so emotional at one time, I had to go downstairs. He asked my mother if I was afraid and she said yes. One of the last things he ever said was “Tell, Betsy that I am not afraid. ” He was so active in the church. Thank you again Becky for everything………….Love to you……….Betsy
Besty I pray 2025 is a good year for you as well as all the others you live. You will know God is with you. As he has been always through our your life even in the difficult times. God gave me Matthew 7: 24 to 27 for you. Plus this song you get it on YouTube it is ” My hope is built on nothing less” Love big hugs and God Bless. From Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland xx
God has lots to say to us. Any time of the day any time of of any year.No matter what day time or month or what year it is. God is ready to speak to us. God is always there with arms wide open saying. Stop what you are doing. Come rest spend time with me. Seeing what God has to say to us through his word and prayer. But we have to want to spend the time with God. To hear what God has to say to us. Not get so busy caught up in things that we forget about God and spending time with him. To find out what God has to say to us. That one word can from God can change everything that we see God’s best for our lives. But we have to want it. To do that we have to be willing to spend the time with God in reading his word and prayer as I have already said. But if we don’t we will grow spiritualy dead in our souls. That is because we had not fed them with the word of God by spending time with God. So it is very important we do. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland xx