Healing Hearts: Goals for the New Year

 This year my One Word to focus on and implement in my daily life is Abide. I want to live my new year slow, simple, and stable while abiding with Jesus. I'm hoping as I strive to abide in Him I will stop taking my life choices and decisions into my own hands and look to Jesus for the answer. 

My goals for the year is

1 being Thankful

2 being grateful 

3 being content

4 being obedient

2025 was a big year full of changes and heartache. I made hasty decisions that caused messes that I had to clean up....however, God saved the day and helped me clean up the messes. I'm praying that God allows my new year to remains stable and constant with very little changes, I crave peace and calm, no personal death in the family, I hope my health gets patched up and I regain some energy back so that I can be slow, simple, and stable. 

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

No matter what transpires though, Jesus will get me through it. I must ABIDE in Him and listen because every day I battle an attack from Satan. Satan loves to steal my joy and cause me problems. 

"And the world is passing away and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever." --John 2:17. 

What about you? Have you set a goal or goals for the new year? If you have, I wish you well and I hope your year is filled with all that's good. 

HEALING HEARTS: My One Word for 2026: ABIDE

The sun will be rising on a new year, 2026! 

 December 31, 2025

Every year I choose, or I ask God for, one word for the new year; a word that will be useful, meaningful, and with a purpose that I can apply to living everyday. A word that I can focus and meditate on, one that will help me grow in my faith journey.

Tonight I said to God, “What’s my one word for this coming year?” and I went on reading on my Kindle.  

Within one minute, I heard, “Abide.” 

Oh my! I was surprised that God answered so quickly! I love the word abide and I’m so happy that God’s response was quick and sure. 

I looked up the word. Abide is in the Bible; it means to remain, dwell, stay connected, and continue in a relationship with God and His Word, drawing life and power from Him. Like a branch connected to a vine, leading to spiritual fruitfulness and steadfastness in faith. It’s not just a one-time decision but an active, ongoing, intimate connection of living in, by, and through Christ’s presence and commands. 

Key meanings of abide: 

1 Remain or to dwell: to stay in a place or state, emphasizing a continuous presence, like dwelling in God’s presence. Psalm 91:1. 

2 Stay connected: to be vitally linked to Jesus (the Vine) for life and fruit, as taught in John 15:4-5. 

3 Live by or through: to live in, by, and through God’s Word and Spirit, making it your daily source of life. 1 John 3:24. 

4 Stand Firm: to persist in faith, love, and commitment, holding fast against opposition. 1 John 4:15. 

With faith and obedience, abiding involves confessing Jesus as the Son of God and keeping His commandments showing a firm commitment. It’s about maintaining fellowship with Jesus so He can produce fruit in and through you. Relying on Jesus’ grace and life-giving presence, not your own strength will help you bear spiritual fruit. 

So, I declare ABIDE is my one word that I will continually focus on, pray about, and chase this coming new year. I love the word, and of course it's perfect….because it comes from our Heavenly Father, the giver of all things good! 

Happy New Year and may your year be filled with all good things and overflowing with God’s abundant blessings. Amen!