My word of the year – Believe.
It came to me during the month of December last year as our family realized we were going to face a challenging time. The verse came …
“Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” (Luke 8:50, NIV)
The verse sat on my counter in a frame for the entire year. On those days when my eyes and emotions filled my head with uncertainty, I would remember to go and read the verse. God’s peace would flood back as His Word brought assurance.
The year marched on and I found my word – “believe” – showing up, bringing with it the choice to believe …
- God never leaves us alone.
- God will bring us through our darkest nights.
- God does bring healing – sometimes instantaneously, other times through the medical field, and perhaps it comes in eternity.
- Our lives have a purpose and a plan which He brings to fruition.
- God will close doors and He will open doors.
- If we will follow Him, God will lead us to do things we never dreamed we’d do.
- God truly hears every prayer uttered in silence.
- God knits the hearts of His people together.
- We can have joy even when we are not happy 🙂
- God keeps us from falling apart.
- Believing God will take courage.
And there were many more lessons as well. Believing God will be the choice before me every day. For the rest of my days. In varied ways.
There were days, I believed firmly and resolutely. Other days, not so much, as I wavered and held onto His Word – – until I believed.
This One Word, believe, has been a journey I will never forget for through it all, I learned this –
Our God is faithful.
Our God loves us more than we can comprehend.
Our God is trustworthy, therefore,
We. Can. Believe. God.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and True Story and #RaRaLinkup .
Amen, Joanne! What a difficult word that many of use so flippantly -but so powerful. Thank you for sharing what it has meant to you this year -blessings as you choose a new word and enter the new year!
Bethany, you are right. We do throw the word around rather casually, me included. I am grateful for this past year as it made me realize how we can believe in God & still not believe God. May the difference be deeply rooted in me so that I believe Him & take Him at His Word. May you have a blessed 2016!
Wonderful thought! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Our lives are better off when we let go and let Him!
I appreciate that you stopped here, Alice. May you have a wonderful New Year!
You made an excellent choice! Believe! that stands for faith also. Every year we must live in faith, hoping the best that God has for us. Encouraging post. Thanks for sharing faith!
Tayrina, may we both believe God for more in this coming year! Thank you for always being encouraging in sharing here with me! Blessings!
I love this reflection. I did not publicly choose one word for 2015, but privately, I chose “courage” – and it’s easy to see where your word and mine intersect. God showed me, over and over, where it takes courage to believe Him. Thanks for sharing your testimony here – it encouraged me. Keep writing, and Happy New Year!
Karen – it is so true. Believe & courage truly do intersect. It takes one to do the other. May we both have the courage to stand firm & believe Him for even more in 2016. Grateful for you!
It’s easy to use the word ‘believe’ and just toss it around casually but there is so much meaning and depth to what we are commanded to do. Just believe.
And that is so it – as I have focused on the word “believe” I came to realize the challenge when doubts would come. I am sure it will be a continuous lesson, fully achieved only when I stand before Him.
Yes, so many are praying and believing for a seemingly impossible healing or financial need. Several close to our hearts are in need of a new liver, relief from chronic pain, feet that will stop falling and the requests go on. May we hold tight to those words I believe and with God all things are possible. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
Hazel, there are so many needs around us. As we pray, may we stay focused on who our God is & that He truly is able to undertake in every situation. Always blessed to join you. May 2016 be filled with health & joy & blessing for you & yours!
When he gives us those “words” – it’s like he’s signed us up for a year long class, and in that year, he trains us, helps us to understand, to live belief! Like you, there are days I do so well, and then there are days I am a graceless mess. Wishing you blessing in your new year – refreshing, too!
It is so true! It does become a year long class. I love that you described it in this way. At the end of the year, we come to realize how we know Him a little more deeper, definitely more sweetly & always filled with an appreciation for His Presence with us. May 2016 hold much for you & your family!
Oh my word!! I am gushing over your new look! I haven’t been on much lately, my SIL has been so very ill with flesh eating bacteria. Between that and the holidays I haven’t been able to read other posts much. But so glad I came by tonight, this is awesome! Hope you had a great visit with family and are rested up and ready for the New Year.
And loved this post too. 🙂
Blessings to you friend. ♥
Nannette, I am so sorry to read about your SIL. I will pray for her this morning & for God to bring healing & restoration to her body. I am glad you like this new space. Both Mandy & Traci were wonderful to capture what I had in mind. I am so grateful we all have different talents 🙂
May 2016 be filled with much joy for you & your family!
As usual, you shared strongly and beautifully. People have really shown appreciation and encouragement to and from you. Bless you.
Thank you, Joanne. Your kindness & encouragement to me has been much appreciated. May 2016 be filled with much joy, peace & grace from our Lord.
I loved this, Joanne. God never fails to show up and he kept you faithful and focused. I’m sure there were challenging times but you made it through with his help and your choice to ‘believe’ throughout the year. Blessings to you in 2016.
Marva, God truly always showed up. Perhaps not always the way I had anticipated but in ways that were best. So much to learn & I am grateful He is faithful to teach us. Blessings to you as well in 2016!
Happy new year, Joanne! I so admire how you’ve lived out your WORD this past year. Mine have come and gone more a few times like a flash in the pan. Thanks for the inspiration to lean into what God gives us …
Blessings to you!
Linda – Trust me, it took much determination to stay focused. There were times I was even wishing it had been an “easier” word. But through it all, I learned God is wanting to change us & mold us & draw us closer to Him, making it all worth it. May you have a blessed 2016 as you lean in closer to Him!