I understand the feeling of regret at the end of a year that hasn’t been as successful as I’d planned. I know the guilt that lingers long after a stupid mistake or making a mess of things (again). I’ve hugged discouragement a little too tightly over disappointments and hurt. I’ve been overcome by the wind and waves of personal storms. And I’ve clung too long to sadness and despair when life delivered a truck load of hard stuff.

But I’ve also discovered the hope birthed in new beginnings. I know the joy that bubbles after sorrow. I’ve witnessed the beauty that arises from the ashes of the hard and the ugly. I’ve been saved (more than once) by the Anchor that holds firm and steady in the storm. And I have found Love that is perfect in a world full of imperfection and crazy.

Sometimes we have to dig a little deeper to find the beauty. We have to choose hope and take hold of joy. We have to stand strong, set our eyes on the Perfect One. We have to cling to the Anchor. And we have to let go of some things trying to keep us down or take us under.

So my prayer for you (and me) in this New Year is just that. That we’ll dig a little deeper and make better choices and stand stronger. That we’ll set our eyes on the Perfect One, hold tight to Jesus, and courageously let go of some things that aren’t ours for the keeping.

Will you start this New Year off by praying with me?

God, You are good. You are holy, and You are perfect in all Your ways. Your love is beyond anything we could ever find or get anywhere else. You designed and created us before the foundations of the world and Your plans for us are for good, to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Today, we look to the future, to the New Year, and we choose to trust in Your promises.  We choose to take action right now in this moment. By faith, we choose hope even when we feel hopeless because Your Word says it is an anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6:19), it lifts us up (Psalm 43:5), and causes us to rest in safety (Job 11:18). We choose to abide in Your Presence where there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). We trust that no matter what we are facing, You will bestow upon us a crown of beauty (Isaiah 61:3) and bring good from our hard places (Genesis 50:20). Nothing in our past is too big or too terrible for You (Romans 8:28). Help us to let go of the things we need to let go of. Give us strength to stand and courage to believe. Help us to set our eyes, heart, and mind on You and Your promises. We look to the New Year with great anticipation of all that You are going to do. Let us be wise men and women who choose well and according to Your Word. Use us as vessels of hope and encouragement to others, that they too might know of Your infinite, deep, and eternal love. We are forever grateful for all You have given and all You have done. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.