2023: Hope

Hope. My word for 2023.

I started picking a word to focus on for each year starting in 2021. It was something I saw others do, and just felt a nudging in my own heart to do so. It is not just a random act of choosing a word, but one that I ask for God’s help on. I believe my word for 2021 was perseverance. Looking back now, man how fitting was that word for a year filled with recovery efforts from a pandemic, which had also ushered in many changes along with fear and uncertainty. I feel like in 2021, there wasn’t a choice, we were in survival mode and each day we had to keep moving forward with finding a new normal. I had to persevere for my kids and family. Surrender was the word for 2022. Now, surrender has been a hard one for me. I tend to like things to go my way, I like plans and schedules. This past year, I have learned that the more tightly I held on to the reigns in my life, convincing myself I was in control, the more miserable I became. It also became apparent that the tighter the grip I had on my circumstances, the more relaxed I became with my relationship with God. I was not very attentive in my spiritual walk. I was just floating along. Thank goodness in time, God opened my eyes to how hardened my heart had become. Compassion was gone. My attitude stunk. Positivity disappeared. One day I thought to myself, how did I get here?

Being intentional in our relationship with God is crucial. We must make a him a priority in our lives. It takes discipline and being obedient to his call on your life. Is this easy? Absolutely not. Is it worth the cost? You better believe it is! Living in this flesh, is it even doable? Not in our own power, but with God’s help and guidance, it can be done. Will you mess up and fail from time to time? Of course, but he is greater than our failures and mishaps. He knows we will not be faithful, but He will be. Every. Single. Time. Every day we must choose Jesus.

This brings me to my word: Hope. I love the hope God offers.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, All ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;. Hebrews 6:19

It is because of our hope in him that we can face another day. It is because of him, that we know a better day is coming for all of those who believe on him. It is because of his great love for us, we can know that he can bring good from situations that seem impossible. It is what helps me to keep moving forward. I cannot imagine life without it, nor would I want to. No matter what circumstances we may face, our hope can rest in HIM. He is faithful and we can stand on what his Word says. As long as we live and breathe, we will have trials and struggles, but do not forget that he is with us and he is GREATER!

Who or what do you place your hope in? I pray that if you do not know the hope I am writing about, that you will seek the one who can give it to you. He is the Light in this dark world. He is waiting on you to surrender to him. Let go of the fear and doubt, and seek him fully. I pray he will make his presence known to you, and pour his love and peace into your life so you too, can experience the hope that will be your anchor when life’s storms come your way.

If you have a word for 2023, please feel free to share in the comments. I would love to hear what God has put on your heart for the new year!

Keep moving forward,

Hayley W