I’m looking forward to a new year filled with joy. It’s a choice I’m choosing to make. A year filled with gratitude and prayer.
At the beginning of 2020, I selected the word “trust” as my “word of the year.” My verse was Philippians 4:6:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God (NIV).
I read and quoted that scripture over and over during the past year. Not only because of Covid but also with the selling of our home—something I thought would take a week ended up taking over two months.
For 2021 my word is “joy,” and my verses are 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (NIV).
There’s a common theme of always thanking God in my 2020 verse and for 2021. Joy and thanksgiving go hand in hand. To receive joy, I must have a grateful heart. In the past, I tried to incorporate an app-based gratitude journal but only kept it going for about a month. I purchased a planner a few weeks ago, and so far, it’s working for me. I’m using a section for words of thanksgiving each day.
My verse also includes prayer again this year. Prayer is an important part of my daily walk with Christ. There are many people who suffer deep sorrow and pain, and God has called me to pray for them. And when I do, joy fills my heart knowing I’m a part of something that pleases the Lord and benefits those in need.
By choosing joy, praying always, and giving thanks in all things, I’m following God’s will for my life. Although you may not have a “word of the year” or yours may differ from mine, I pray you’re looking forward to a new year filled with joy too.