Word for the Year: Perseverance

It’s that time of year again! The ornaments and lights have been put away, and a new year is upon us! Starting a new calendar with the many blank pages and empty squares holds so much hope and opportunity for the days to come (some of us still use paper). Although circumstances may not immediately change there is a hope that lingers in the air and beckons us onward. Endless possibilities!

A few wonderful verses that describe our fresh start:

Lamentations 3:22-23, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Psalm 103:11-12, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is his love for those who fear him;¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Isaiah 43:18-19, ““Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. ¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

I had planned on choosing a word for the year, but my sister-in-law beat me to it. While I was still in the praying/ pondering mode, she texted me and told me her word for the year is perseverance. And she included this verse as her inspiration:

Galatians 6:9 NKJV, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

I’m sure we can all agree that perseverance is not always easy or fun. As my sweet sister noted, it requires trusting God in all circumstances, even through difficult times. It means placing our cares and concerns in His capable hands, instead of letting them snowball into all-consuming worry.

Worry makes us weary. Faith helps us press on and even overcome!

Perseverance builds endurance and strength. We come out stronger than when we first began.

The Bible says it like this: “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us,” Romans 3:5-3

This is the verse that I texted her back: Psalm 27:13, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

There is so much goodness awaiting us in Heaven, but God also has goodness for us here on earth! He is compassionate and kind and wants to bless us. Yet sometimes the enemy seeks to steal and destroy. This is where perseverance kicks in. We are told to persevere in drawing close to the Lord, because He will draw near to us. Continue resisting the devil because then he will eventually give up and flee. Keep praying and reading your Bible. Keep believing God’s Word and tuck His promises securely in your heart.

Perseverance looks to God in hope and holds His hand wherever He leads. Abraham had no idea where he was headed, but God brought Him to the Promised Land (Genesis 12). Granted, it wasn’t an easy journey, but they eventually entered the Land of milk and honey. They traveled through the desert and fought enemies along the way, but they finally made it by following God’s direction. And God’s best awaited their arrival.

Perseverance begins with a first step, and then one more at a time.

So, my encouragement regarding this first word of the new year is to keep going. God is with you!

Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”

James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

I’ll share my word next time. But I would also love to hear your Word for the Year!

Please leave your word in the comment section. I’d like to use them for inspiration each week with upcoming devotions I’ll be writing.

A view from my sister’s house.