I am going to be honest. I feel intimidated. A new year. A new number. Another year of my life has passed. And I hope and pray it has been a year of much purpose and growth. Looking into a new year scares me. How am I going to live it? Will it be a victorious year? Will I break free from more darkness? Live it with more purposeful and passionate faith?
Maybe you are feeling it too. The anxiety. The fear. The cry that says, “God let this be a good year!! I am done living in darkness. I want more of Your power and Your Spirit!” Yet you tremble. Literally tremble. You feel weak. Insecure. Your confidence is broken. You don’t know how you are going to make this happen.
I see you. I do.
As I type these words my arms are trembling with anxiety. My chest feels tight. My heart is racing. My mind is screaming for me to freeze or run. And the word SURRENDER keeps coming to my mind. Surrender. To what? To whom? Is there someone I can trust to carry me through another year? I am single. I have no one by my side. I am alone. You may be married yet still carry this fear. You may have close family relationships yet still wonder who is going to be by your side.
So, I raise my arms and say, “God! Only You.”
“The LORD is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?"
Psalm 27:1
There is only One who can anchor my soul. There is only One who can give peace to your heart. His name is Jesus.
Yes, fear is real. The anxiety is deafening. The darkness is so threatening. But I choose trust. I choose surrender. No, the choice does not magically dispel all of the struggle. The feelings are still so real. But I know that God has been my helper. I have witnessed His power. I have experienced His love. He does not change. Life does. He does not. And it is because of Him that I can say, “Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.” (Psalm 27:3)
I find power in the declaration my pastor had us speak over 2026 this past Sunday:
Satan will not overcome me in my darkness!
I breathe deeply. Anxiety melts. Tightness leaves. Breathe with me. God is in control. He has not changed. He is so in love with us. Let His arms wrap around your heart and mind. Rest. Let His comfort flow through every synapse and cell of your body. He is with you.
“He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent.”
Psalm 27:5
Let God shelter you under His wings in this new year. Let Him hold your life. Rest. Rest in His grace. There is nothing you or I need to do to be held but to trust and surrender.
You may ask, “But why should I trust Him? Why should I surrender to Him?” He is your Creator. He is your Lover. He knows you intimately and desires to give only good to you. He says, “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)
It is a trust fall.
But it is the only one that brings my heart complete peace. And I hope it is a trust fall you can take too.
I will carry you.
Through your darkest night
When you’re terrified
I will carry you.
When the waters rise
When your hope runs dry
I will carry you.
Ellie Holcomb
I will shoulder your burdens.
This is the God who is by our side in this new year of 2026.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will with you wherever you go. Only be strong and courageous!"
Joshua 1:9+18
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