2026: Starting Fresh
2026: Starting Fresh
It has almost been an entire month since the calendar was flipped to a New Year. The holiday is commonly used as a reason for fresh starts or personal resolutions, where we look toward bigger and better things for our lives and move on from the weight of the past. But whatever you envision for this year, we challenge you to let God take the reins and be the architect for your life of possibilities. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that He is the creator of all things new; His compassion never ceases (NKJV). A fresh start isn’t about willpower - it’s about God’s grace.
It can be easy to dwell on the things of our past, but what we’ve done and who we were does not dictate our current walk with God. The Gospel doesn’t just offer us a second chance; it offers us a new life altogether. Holding onto guilt, old identities, and past shame ultimately hinders our growth and we’re called to leave it all behind to follow the new path He has set out for us. So where do we even start? It can start with a simple talk with Jesus. Tell Him about the things you are wanting to change and leave behind to follow Him, and watch as the blessings come to fruition as you focus on a new, spiritual walk where you let Him lead.
Have you heard of Peter the Apostle? In the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 14), Peter, along with other disciples, were sailing across the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm arose during the night. Fear kept rising when they saw Jesus across the water, asking them to make their way to Him. While the other disciples were too focused on the storm around them, Peter chose to be bold and listen to Jesus’s command. He stepped out of the boat and started walking toward Him. However, whenever his faith was wavering and he took his eyes off Jesus to look at the storm around him, he began to sink. It was only when he kept his focus on Jesus that he was able to stay above the water and walk toward Him to safety. While Peter’s fear and doubt tried to creep in, his choice to focus on Jesus gave him the strength he needed to overcome one of life’s most daunting obstacles.
Whatever obstacles you are facing, whether from the past or current situations, God’s goodness is more powerful. God is more interested in your future than anything you keep dwelling on. Let go and let God take control of your new beginning. He will give you what you need to battle the storm.
A Prayer for Your New Chapter:
“God, thank you for your grace and that my story doesn't end with my mistakes. Thank you for the gift of today and a chance to start over. Help me to let go of the weight I wasn't meant to carry, relinquish all my doubts to focus on what you have in store for my life, and to take one small step of faith today. Amen.”