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