Trusting God in the Year Ahead

During this time of the year, we may find ourselves filled with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. What will the new year bring? Will it be a year of growth, joy, and blessings? What challenges will we face? It’s normal to wonder what lies ahead. But for some, the beginning of a new year can bring on anxiety and stress. 

This new year will be a mix that includes challenges. Even though the future is unknown, one thing is sure: God is already there, guiding us every step of the way.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV offers a beautiful reminder of the importance of trusting God, no matter what lies ahead: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." 

This verse is a powerful reminder that encourages us to place our complete trust in the Lord. It calls us to surrender everything, including our doubts, fears, anxieties, and uncertainties, into His hands. The scripture also reminds us that God is sovereign no matter how unpredictable the future may appear. He will guide us on the path He has set before us. Our Lord will be faithful as He always has been. 

Trusting God is Vital

The truth is, we can't predict what the year ahead holds. There will be moments of joy, success, struggle, and hardship. If we only trust in our own understanding and abilities, we may become anxious or overwhelmed when things don't go as planned. 

However, trusting God's wisdom, timing, and plans brings us peace amidst the unknown. We can rest in the assurance that He is always with us and will direct our paths. 

Picture a twisty road in the mountains that you've never driven before. You never know what's coming around the next twist or turn in the road. However, signs are placed at intervals warning of steep grades, winding roads ahead, sharp curves, and more. 

This picture is similar to how God directs us through. If we pay attention and listen to Him, we may learn what's ahead, but if not, we know He's already ahead of us, preparing the way. We only need to trust Jesus and lean on Him to get through. 

Trusting God in the new year is crucial because it helps us navigate inevitable uncertainties and challenges. Knowing our Lord is in control and that He has a purpose for everything that happens can bring us peace. Here are some essential reasons to trust God in each new year: 

God knows what we don’t: the future is a complete unknown. We have no way to predict what will happen or whether the months ahead will bring blessings or struggles. However, God sees the big picture. He knows all the details of our lives and has already gone before us. By trying Him, we can rest in the assurance that He is leading us toward His best for us, even when we can't see the path clearly. 

God’s plans are better than our own: along with a new year, we often have our own plans and goals for the coming months. It's great to have aspirations; however, we must remember that God's plans are greater than anything we could develop. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in His wisdom rather than relying on our own understanding. When we surrender our plans to Him, we open ourselves to His perfect will, which often exceeds our expectations. 

Trusting God brings peace in uncertainty: uncertainty is a part of life, especially as we face the start of a new year. The world around us may feel unstable, and we may worry about what lies ahead. However, when we trust God, He gives us a deep sense of peace. We know that He is sovereign over all things. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us that when we present our anxieties to God in prayer, He will guard our hearts and minds with peace that surpasses understanding. Trust God means we don’t have to carry the weight of our worries alone. 

God’s faithfulness provides assurance: when we look back at the last year, we can see many instances of God’s faithfulness in our lives. He has been with us through the good and the bad. Trusting God in the new year is rooted in remembering His past faithfulness. As Hebrews 13:8 NKJV reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” His character remains unchanging, and we can trust that He will continue to be faithful as we move forward. 

Trusting God helps us live with purpose: trusting God gives our lives purpose. He has a plan for us that goes beyond our desires and ambitions. We align ourselves with His great purpose as we trust Him with our goals, relationships, and responsibilities. This gives us direction and a sense of peace, knowing that we are walking in His will, even when the road ahead is not always clear. 

Strengthens our faith and dependence on God: trusting God with our new year is an opportunity for growing in our faith. The challenges we face, though sometimes tricky (to put it mildly), offer us a chance to lean on God more deeply and experience His strength. We build a deeper relationship with Him each time we trust Him with our fears, doubts, and decisions. Trusting God isn't only about feeling peace in the moment. It's about developing a lasting faith that sustains us through each season of life. 

Trusting God transforms our perspective: trusting in God's sovereignty shifts our focus from our own limitations to His infinite power and wisdom. Instead of being consumed by worries or distractions, we begin to see the world through faith. Trusting God helps us embrace each day with gratitude. We know He is in control and has a purpose for every moment. 

Surrendering Our Anxieties and Uncertainties

As we look ahead, it’s natural to feel a sense of apprehension about what might come. Will things go as planned? Will we experience setbacks? It’s easy to hold onto those uncertainties and allow them to weigh us down. But God calls us to surrender our worries to Him. When we do, we find rest for our souls. He has promised to give us peace and direction, but we must actively release our grip on control and place our trust in Him.

Here are some actionable tips for trusting God more fully in the year ahead:

1. Start Each Day with Prayer

Begin your morning by surrendering the day to God. Take a few moments to pray, asking Him for wisdom, peace, and guidance. Invite Him into every decision, whether big or small. Prayer aligns our hearts with His will and reminds us that we are not alone on the journey ahead. Consider making this a daily habit to help center your heart on God’s promises.

2. Commit to a Daily Devotional

Devote time each day to reading God's Word. The Bible is filled with promises and wisdom to strengthen your trust in God. A daily devotional helps ground you in His truth and equips you to face challenges with faith and trust in Him. 

Whether you use a Bible app, a printed devotional book, or a Bible to read a passage from Scripture, take time each day to reflect on God's unfailing love and His guidance.

3. Journal Your Faith & Trust Journey

Writing down your thoughts and prayers can be a powerful way to reflect on God's faithfulness. Keep a journal to record your feelings, questions, and experiences as you trust Him more fully.

Look back at your journal throughout the year to see how God has answered prayers, provided direction, and strengthened your faith.

4. Surround Yourself with Encouragement

Trusting God is much easier when we are surrounded by a community of believers who encourage and uplift us. Whether through small groups, church gatherings, or personal friendships, lean on others who can remind you of God’s promises when doubt creeps in. Share your struggles and victories with them, and let them pray with you as you trust God together.

5. Let Go of Control

It’s easy to hold onto the illusion that we can control the outcome of our lives, but that's only an illusion. Each of us has experienced situations where we thought we had control, only to learn (the hard way) that we didn't. True peace comes when we let go and trust God’s plan. When you feel anxious about the future, remind yourself that God is already ahead of you. He knows what the coming months will bring and is already there providing for you. Surrender your need for control, and allow Him to lead you in the direction He has prepared for you.

6. Celebrate Small Wins and Moments of Peace

Each time you experience a sense of peace or witness God’s provision, take time to acknowledge it. Celebrate the small and large wins, knowing they are markers of God’s faithfulness. As you look back on the year, you’ll see how He has made your paths straight, even in the most uncertain moments.

And remember, creating a new habit takes time. If you're new to "casting your cares" onto the Lord, that's OK! Each day, include your cares, fears, anxieties, and more in your prayers. At first, this may feel strange, but keep up the practice, and you'll eventually see the results. You may start to feel more at peace and less anxious and see how the Lord has answered your prayers. 

Here again, writing down your prayer concerns and answers to prayer is helpful. It creates a record of your spiritual life and helps you grow as you look back at how the Lord has brought you through different situations and circumstances. 

Conclusion

As we start the new year, I’d like to challenge you to commit to trusting God with all your heart. We don't know what the year will bring, but we know God is already there, guiding us with His wisdom and love. 

When we lean on Him instead of our own understanding, He promises to direct our paths, provide for us, and sustain us. So, surrender your anxieties, rely on His strength, and trust His perfect plan.

Remember, the future is in God's hands; there is no better place to be.

God bless,

PS If you'd like to find apps for prayer, Bible study, etc., head over to our Resources page!