Have you ever done a focus on one word to prepare your heart and mind for a new year?
Are you a one-word advocate, a resolution-making person, or do you have another method that helps you begin each year well? For the past number of years, I’ve chosen one word to focus on. I used to write out resolutions, but I never kept with them past March of the year.
What Happens When We Focus on One Word to Inspire Our New Year—Are you a one-word advocate, a resolution-making person, or do you have another method that helps you begin each year well? #tellhisstory #oneword #trustinggod Click To TweetWhen a friend introduced me to the concept to focus on one word, the idea of concentrating on a single concept and learning how to live it resonated with me. And, God has taught me a lot through this discipline.
My 2021 word was “Known.” The thought of being intimately known has always scared my safe-loving, comfort-zone seeking heart. I knew that to truly be known by God and others would require me to step outside my walls and be willing to be vulnerable.
As we grieved the unexpected loss of my brother-in-law last January, he was the first of a number of losses we experienced last year. My mother-in-law broke her femur in June. The recovery was too much for her already cancer-ridden body, and we said our goodbyes to her in July. We also dealt with a number of family issues.
I couldn’t hide from my Father anymore. My prayer in January 2021 was:
“Lord, I look forward to learning how to be vulnerable with You, to living known (in confidence) by You. I know You know me better than I know myself. Help me to be teachable and to trust You more, believe more in Your goodness toward me, and to love You more.”
Things I learned by focusing on my one word “Known”
Through the many stresses last year held, the Lord showed me some things about myself I hadn’t known or hadn’t acknowledged.
- I’m not very good at trusting Him or others. I’d much rather trust myself. And yes, you can imagine how well that works when life’s “hard” slams into my days . . . this is one of the lessons He’s carrying forward into my word for this year.
- I learned how essential prayer is. We discover where we’re really at with the Lord when the painful, stretching circumstances enter our lives. We will either turn inward, or turn our hearts upward. Which requires some trust that God will hear and respond to our prayers. I found myself journaling my prayers, stopping to pray when I felt overwhelmed, when I learned of someone else’s hardship, when I struggled with things going on in our family.
- Though I expected to learn how to be more vulnerable before the Lord, I didn’t expect to be laid bare before Him. Yet, that’s where I found myself in November when stress impacted me physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. When fear of the maybes ruled my heart and thoughts.
The great thing about our Father is that, when He lays us bare, He also restores us when we turn to Him. I feel like I’m in the beginning stages of that restoration process. Throughout the year, I clung to the truth that my Father loves me, even when I try to hide from Him.
My challenge has been making moment-by-moment choices to trust God when life leaves me bruised and weary.
One Words I’ve focused on in past years:
2012—Passion
2013—Perspective
2014—Enough
2015—Breathe
2016—Authentic
2017—Intentional
2018—Hope
2019—Live
2020—Present
2021—Known
On New Year’s morning, I chatted with Hubs about my sense of what God wanted me to focus on this year. Over the past few months, God’s shown me I’ve held onto a lot of fear. How do we manage fear? We choose trust. But “trust” felt like too general a word. And then, my husband mentioned some synonyms . . . and one really resonated!
My One Word is:
My focus verses are:
Though I will hold tight to this word, I have no illusions the lessons will be easy. But, when we cling to the Lord—when we glue ourselves to Him—we do so because we believe He is trustworthy. He also holds onto us tightly, lovingly, even if we let go.
For me, to focus on one word for a year is an invitation to go deeper with the Lord. I may share more posts about some of the lessons I am learning about fear. And how I’m learning to cling to Jesus when life feels scary.
What Happens When We Focus on One Word to Inspire Our New Year—For me, to focus on one word for a year is an invitation to go deeper with the Lord. #tellhisstory #oneword #trustgod Click To Tweet
I hope this year finds each of us walking more closely with our Savior. Focusing on our relationship with Jesus. Drawing closer daily to Him.
What about you? What do you do to stay grounded for the year? If you focus on One Word person, what is your word for the year?
Most weeks, I link up with Grace and Truth, Anita Ojeda, Instaencouragements, and sometimes Let’s Have Coffee. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
I love this practice. It really helps me focus on my faith in specific areas. My word for 2022 is Yearning as I yearn for a deeper walk with Christ
Yvonne, what a beautiful word to focus on for the year! May we each grow in yearning for a deeper walk with Jesus! Thanks so much for visiting!
I have never chosen a word for the year. But the word “known” really resonated with me. I’ll be praying about that one, Jeanne. Praying, too, that we will both learn to cling tighter and tighter to Him!
Donna, yes! May we both cling tightly to our Father!
This year its ZEAL. Seems I’ve lost my spiritual fervor due to several disappointing turns in parenting and other circumstances and am working to restore a heart of gratitude and service to others through writing and interpersonal relationships.
Mary, ZEAL is a great word. It sounds like it’s filled with intentionality. I’m right there with you in the parenting trenches, my friend. I’m saying a prayer for you as you navigate this difficult season. May God fill your heart with ZEAL for Him and love for others as you walk through this time. Sending you a hug and a prayer.
Hi, Jeanne.
Your post spoke to my heart. I relate to this–“My challenge has been making moment-by-moment choices to trust God when life leaves me bruised and weary.”
Praying your weekend is a restorative one.
Blessings,
Tammy
Tammy, I’m glad this post spoke to you. Thanks for your kind words. I hope your weekend is restful too!
i so admire your yearly focus on a word, Jeanne. and this year’s choice is a gem. if ever we needed to cling, to be held, it would be this one as we continue forward into the unsettling and unknown.
so grateful that He holds us close and never lets us go.
have a good weekend, friend …
Thanks for your kind words, my friend! You’re so right, now more than ever, we need to cling to the Lord and be held by Him. May we both cling to the Lord in this unsettling time. May your weekend hold much joy and rest.
Thanks for your transparency about your life and the struggles to allow God to know you. I pray your word, cling, for this year will give you great insights into your relationship with the Lord. Katy Luther once said, she would cling to the Lord like a burr! I tend to have a verse or 2 that I meditate on through the year, in addition to my daily Bible-reading plan.
Kathy, thanks for your prayers. I’ll take them. 🙂 I believe this year’s word is going to do a lot of speaking into my heart and life. 🙂 I appreciate your sharing the quote by Kathy Luther. I love the image! God does have a way of giving us verses to speak into our hearts when we need them.
Jeanne, I appreciated reading your 2021 journey. Cyber hugs coming your way 🤗. I haven’t written about it yet, but my One Word 2022 is Intentional. Blessings.
Paula, thanks so much for those cyber hugs. Always appreciated! Intentional is such a great word! I look forward to reading your insights!
Oh Jeanne. What a year you had. I know that feeling of being laid bare before God and hearing that still small Voice remind me that He, alone, is sufficient. It’s the worst place to be, but maybe also the best? I think “cling” is a perfect follow up to “known.” What comfort in knowing that as we cling to Him, however feeble our efforts, He has us firmly in His sovereign grip. Happy New Year, my friend.
Yes, Lois. God alone is sufficient. It’s a hard, hard place to be. But, you’re right, when we leave ourselves in His care, it’s the best place to be. I thought the same thing about my word for the year. I hope your New Year is off to a good start!
Yes 🙌🏽 and yes 🙌🏽 I love that word “cling’. 2021 certainly showed me I don’t trust the Lord as I thought I did
You and me both! It was a tough year, and also humbling, as I saw how much I still have to grow in trusting the Lord. I hope this year finds both of us continuing to grow closer to Him!
Amen 🙏🏽
“Trust” was my word last year. A real struggle for me with God. I am going deeper with it with “rest” this year. Learning to rest in Him feels like the ultimate expression of trust. I love cling too and look forward to hearing more about your journey with it.
Lauren, “trust” is a challenge to walk out with intentionality. I love the word, “Rest.” Yes, like “cling”, Rest requires us to trust the Lord. I’ll be praying for you. And yes, I’m pretty sure I’ll be sharing more about this word. 🙂
Jeanne, I loved reading this. At the end of last year, a coworker and I started to talk about the word Abide. So, I carried that with me as a goal this year. I want to practice staying before and in the presence of God more. Also, staying in His spirit and being led less by own understanding and more by His spirit which requires a lot of trust. Trust is an area I struggle in. So, I know I’m in for a arduous journey but I’m ready. Anyway, thank you so much for reminding me of the one word and the impact it could have this year in my life.
Nia, I love the word, ABIDE. And your goal of practicing (being intentional) about staying before and in the presence of God is such a good one. Your thoughts about how to live out ABIDE resonate with me. Trust (obviously) is something I’m also working on. Thank you for sharing your word!!
❤
I cling to the Lord too Jeanne. What a precious Saviour we have!
I’m saddened to hear you Lost two loved ones last year. I’m glad you are experiencing the Lord”s comfort.
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer, clinging to the Lord is the best place to be, don’t you think? THanks for your condolences. Our Father is always faithful to provide what we need when we need it, isn’t He?
Cling is a great word! I think I most often have heard it used regarding children, as in, “My baby was extra cling-y today.” But isn’t that what God wants from His children? For us to cling to Him?
I like your line, ” We will either turn inward, or turn our hearts upward.” Oh, that I would always choose upward!
Jerralea, I’ve definitely used “cling” in regards to my children being cling-y! 🙂 And yes, God does want us to cling to Him just like that. Just as a toddler’s grip becomes super strong on it’s mama’s arm when they don’t want to be set down, so God wants us to cling to Him like that. I want to become better at choosing upward too. 🙂
I just linked up with mine, GRACE. It takes grace to cling. Amen?
I’m so glad you linked up your word. Grace is a great word! Can’t wait to read your post. And yes, it takes GRACE to CLING. 🙂
I don’t focus on one word for the year. I believe God has me focus on a different word every day. 🙂
What a great thing, Melissa. God has ways of speaking to each of us. I’m so glad He hasn’t made us cookie-cutter creations.
Jeanne, you had a rich year in 2021 with your word “known”, I enjoyed your recap and looking back at the other “words” of the years! isn’t it amazing how much God speaks when we focus on one word? I find your 2022 word “cling” intriguing. I can’t wait to see how God leads you as you cling to Him in 2022!
A rich year is one way to describe it. It is truly amazing to me how much God teaches me when I focus on one word. I begin to see His lessons in many places in my life, my heart, and my thought life. Thanks for your encouragement!
Hello Jeanne,
Like Barbara, I’ve never felt led to choose a word for the year. If a word drops into my spirit, I go with him. To stay grounded for the year, I cling to Jesus by reading his word, praying, talking to him throughout the day, listening to worship music, calling out to him and connecting with other Christian women which seems to be the hardest thing to do. I am at a new church this year and for the first time, I am doing the 21 day Daniel Fast. Yet another way to cling to God and stay grounded in 2022.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Yvonne, I love how God speaks to each of us in the perfect way. Staying grounded is always a good place to be. It sounds like God is already stretching you and drawing you closer to Himself as you venture out into a new church and do the Daniel Fast! I appreciate your fervent walk which reflects in your words here and in your posts!
Praying, knowing His faithfulness in the journey
Thank you, sweet friend!
I am sorry for all that went through last year, Jeanne! May you feel God’s strength lifting you up in all that you encounter in 2022. My word this year is intentional and I am making much more of an effort to intentionally keep my word as a focus point this year!
I need to keep mine as a focus point too. May we both be intentional about doing that!
God drew you to your word for His purpose through you to prevail! I am sorry to hear about all the challenges you have had and pray God’s strength be felt in all that you encounter in 2022. My word is Intentional this year. We shall see what He has for me with intentional focus as the year unfolds!
You’re right, Lynn. Thank you for your prayers. I’ll take them. Intentional is such a great word! I hope to reward the lessons you’ll be learning this year.
One Word can change a single life,
One Word can change a family.
One Word can bring an end to strife
and perhaps it is not vanity
to say One Word can change a town,
one town can change a hurting land
like ripples from a beach-rock thrown
that wash upon some distant sand.
So cling to that Word God has given,
cling with all your might.
Cling, although your heart be riven,
cling through sleepless night,
and you may leave, through hope and tears,
a message that the whole world hears.
Awww, Andrew. Your poem speaks straight to my heart. And yes, I will be clinging through all of those seasons in this year (and beyond). I’m praying for you, my friend.
I’m so sorry about all those losses you experienced last year, Jeanne. That is heavy stuff. We’ve shared a few words in the past: breathe, hope, present. And ‘known’ really resonates with me; it’s one of the blessings I’m praying over my children this year (and myself) that they will feel truly known. I relate to what you write here about being known.
Cling is such a great word! Even though it may sound opposite of my word this year Release, they’re really quite similar. I’m trying to release all the things I don’t need to be holding on to so I can be free to trust in the One who is worth clinging to.
Thank you, Lisa. Some of the words we’ve shared have had a powerful impact in my life. I love that prayer for your children. I think I’m going to borrow your idea. 🙂 You’re right, our words do have similarities. I’ll be praying we both learn the lessons of trusting God and clinging to Him and releasing things as He leads. So thankful for you!
My word is REST, and I have a feeling we will both be learning a lot from our words in 2022!
Rest is a great word, Michele. Yes, I believe you are right!!
Awww! I’m sending hugs your way! May you feel God’s peace as you cling to him and learn to trust him with both the tender and the hard places in your life. My word of the year is wait.
Thanks, Anita! I appreciate your words. Wait is a good, but sometimes challenging, word. I’ll pray God draws you ever closer to Himself as you learn to walk this one out.
I love this, Jeanne! My word is “embrace” which I feel is similar to “cling” in some ways, so I will look forward to reading your reflections. And fear is something I think God wants me to deal with this year too, so I’d love to read your thoughts on that.
Embrace is such a warming word, Lesley. And yes, it is similar to “cling.” 🙂 I will definitely be writing about some of these aspects this year. I look forward to reading what God shows you too.
So far, I’ve never felt led to choose one word for the year. Being in God’s Word and prayer every day puts me in the position where He can teach and guide me for whatever the day’s needs and duties are. But I enjoy testimonies like yours of how God has used this practice.
Barbara, that time in God’s word and in prayer is the most crucial thing in our days, isn’t it? What helps you get focused for a new year?