"Joy" was the first word that came to my mind as I was anticipating some focused time of prayer and fasting about my word for 2026. I think I wanted it to be "joy", because I was hoping for something positive to focus on after such a trying year of changes and grief. Though, "joy" comes with its own challenges as well. Just like any other word, it has to be intentional. It's not like it would guarantee a great/better year; nor does it mean that 2026 would be immune from anything less than joyful. It's not as comfortable and cushy as it seems. It's like when I got "hope" back in 2024. I thought it was generic and wishful thinking on my part. I felt the same way this time too. It seemed too simple and run-of-the-mill. I was critical of myself because I thought I hadn't done "enough" work or earned that word. Once again, I was starting to put unnecessary pressure and expectations on myself for this word (and for me to have it/share it before January hit). However, all of this was why I felt that nudge to re-read my 2023 word: "Enough."
Remembering "enough" took the pressure off of giving myself a deadline that I didn't need. As I've been abiding this past year, rest and healing has also been a big part of that. Giving myself the grace to rest and heal involves a lot of things; like saying "no" to people/things (as well as saying "yes" to other things and loving/forgiving others AND myself). I've been reminding myself to "sound like love" and not a clanging symbol. Legalism, perfectionism, and condemnation still likes to creep up on me. However, my peri-menopausal self is getting used to letting go more often (the "we do not care club" has been very helpful in that regard lol). Giving myself permission to matter, and care more about myself and my unmet needs, has been something that I've been growing in. Being in this peri-menopausal phase has emphasized that fact even more because it's literally just me and the Lord having my own back 100% of the time. My relationship with Him is the only one that truly saves, heals, and restores me in every way. There is nothing and no one else that I can count on to do that on a moment's notice. I can't get away from myself, and God is Emmanuel, so there ya go lol. Even when I let myself down, He won't. That's assuring!
Seeing Nehemiah 8:10 show up in my feed recently has been a refreshing confirmation; because I remind myself often that the JOY of the Lord is my STRENGTH. I've been thinking on it a lot (and hearing it a lot as songs have come up: Holy is the Lord, Find My Joy). Bible Hub does a great job of defining what it means, why joy is our strength, and HOW to practice it. When I feel depleted and weak, I think of this verse. I remember who He is and that He's my Joy. If I need more strength, I just keep thinking on all those "whatevers". Isaiah 40:28 was another verse that came up in my social feed. Isaiah 40 was a previous word for me as well (back in 2020 when I first started doing this, actually). I thought about the strength of the Lord and how He renews me when I put my hope and trust in Him. That whole chapter of Isaiah continues to be a favorite of mine.
In the final days of December, there were two "Our Daily Bread" devotionals that were too perfect for words. On the 29th, it was "Joyful Resilience" and on the 31st it was "Resolving to Do Less". I was absolutely awed and warmed to my core! You're better off reading them than I would be re-explaining them, so please take a look! Only God could have orchestrated this for me! Not only did he bring "joy" into focus for this new year, but He affirmed to me on the VERY LAST DAY all the growth and blessings that "abide" had brought me in 2025. That devotional used the same verse and word that I had been clinging to all year (it even shared the actual word, MenÅ, like I had in my own post!). The fact that it talked about rest and doing less was also assuring too.
Some of the last "winks" in my direction were when I saw ads for my own organization in my feed. What is the tagline right now? "Give with Joy" lol. Ok, ok..... message received! I think it applies just as much to my job at The Salvation Army too. I've had to remind myself to work as unto the Lord; even if it's hard or I'm not in the best mood (because, again, perimenopausal horrendousness!). The last months of the year especially wear me out and I find it hard to find/give joy when I'm in the midst of the Christmas chaos (it's always the time where I most want to quit and never come back). Major Jean has been very helpful in reminding me that rest and balance is important; and that I never have to wear myself out for my job or put it above my own health and wellness. I have to remind her of the same thing as well; because as women, we take better care of each other than ourselves most of the time (and often fail at taking our own advice lol). Both of us will continue finding joy where God has placed us if we continue to prioritize times of rest in His presence (and rest from our labor). We have more joy to GIVE to those we serve when we are being strengthened by that "joy of the Lord."
To affirm it even further, I've been doing a new "Bible in a Year" plan on the Bible app. It's "The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel" (and I highly recommend them). Psalm 4 & 5 came up; and with it, some more "joy." Nicky Gumbel emphasized, "God alone is the true source of joy and peace." Yes, indeed He is! It also seems to me like He's building on "abide" (which is all about love) and that it only makes sense for joy and peace to be what follows. The fruit of the Spirit seems to be what keeps coming up.
Grace and peace (and JOY) to you, my friends! May this year be a blessed and joyful one! Even in times of grief and hardship, I pray that we can all find strength to get through and praise Him....our SOURCE of joy! Amen! God bless you!
