Monday, January 11, 2016

HOPE - My Word for 2016


And his name shall be the hope of all the world.”
Matthew 12:21

Have you tried choosing a word for the year, instead of doing New Year's resolutions?

I made a resolution long time ago to never do New Year's resolutions any more.

I was never able to keep them and they just brought stress and disappointment to my life.

I would feel like I let myself down when I couldn't keep the promises I had made to myself.


Even though I knew they were unreal and I was never going to be able to keep them, already when I made them.

Couple of years ago I learned from other bloggers about the One Word 365 or #OneWord365 where you choose one word for the year.

One word that sums up who you are, who you want be, or how you want to live.

Or a word that you pray and ask God to give you.


My one word for 2015 was Joy.

Joy is very different from happiness, it is deeper and it usually comes through suffering.

And it the word made me extremely nervous.

But God surprised me once again.


There has been suffering and pain, but there has been happiness and definite joy.

During the last year, me and my husband came together after three years of separation and decided to work things out.

It isn't perfect and there are many things that still hurt me and make our life together difficult.

But at the same time there has been a lot of joy.


And I'm sure there will be even more joy this year 2016.

Which brings me to this year's word.

After asking God, I have felt the word for 2016 is HOPE.

It is a good word.


I am filled with joy to have hope in my life.

To wish and aspire and trust, to have faith and hope, that tomorrow will be even better.


That God has my life in His hands, that I'm safe, and that He knows where He is taking me.


So I pray for you Gentiles that God who gives you hope will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. I pray that God will help you overflow with hope in him through the Holy Spirit’s power within you.
Romans 15:13

14 comments:

  1. The word and the Bible verses you have chosen are beautiful. Like you, I have found that choosing a word has had a better impact on me than resolutions. I am glad that you and your husband are working things out! I know that you hope is in our faithful God. Have a blessed week!

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  2. My word for this year is LISTEN. I'm wanting to listen, to really hear, and to heed God's voice.

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    1. It's a very good word, Elizabeth. Something I need to learn also. Listening and sitting still is very hard for me.

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  3. A very good choice. I've never done the one word thing, but I think if I did it this year, I would like to do GENTLENESS. This is something I need to strive for as a mother. My second choice would be JOY. :)

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    1. I recommend. Although it's not so much about choosing the word yourself but of letting go and letting God choose it for you.

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  4. What a word. I love it! I'm sure you will be very blessed to focus on HOPE this year!

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    1. Thank you, Bethany! I do feel God has given me a great blessing with this word :)

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  5. Hope is special and great word! My word is "commit" and God is teaching me much already. It is only mid-January!
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

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    1. It is amazing how much God can teach us through such simple things. And such a short time, if we just pay attention :)
      Thank you for visiting, Linda!

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  7. Thanks for linking up with me at stephaniejspencer.com/everydayawe for my questions series! Hope is a deep and powerful longing. I love the threads of it you found throughout the Scriptures

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  8. Love what you did with your graphics drawing us in to hope and joy. I didn't choose a word for this year. Decided on 12 words as part of The Faith Project. The thing I love about all of the word selections is how the Lord speaks to each of us individually and then helps us use that to bless each other. Thanks for blessing me.

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    1. Thank you for your visit and comment, Deb! The Faith Project sounds interesting too. I agree with you about the selection of your word for the year. It is a wonderful way to open yourself to listen to God and what He has prepared for you.

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