Hope for the Anxious Heart This New Year - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - January 07, 2026
“This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23 (ESV)
Even in the moment, my husband and I found a way to laugh. Perhaps it was a bit of heaven emerging from the unkept cracks and crannies of our hearts, preparing us for the next few days, because this was our luck - how things seemed to go for the Garland crew.
Right as the ball in New York City dropped, and my husband and I kissed each other a Happy New Year from our cozy couch, I noticed my one-year-old son, all snuggled in my arms, was running a fever. We spent the new year finding a minute clinic that was open and would see children.
By God’s grace, our little guy healed quickly, but this situation had me thinking, “Is this what the rest of our year will look like?” If I’m honest, this past year held some dear, sweet moments, even undeniable miracles from heaven, but this year still wore down my heart. Somehow, the hope and heaviness of the past twelve months tangled together, the first having a heavenly upper hand that ensured the latter didn’t consume me. (But am I still exhausted in all the ways? Absolutely.)
If you had a tough year and are nervous about what the new year will bring, I want to share two encouraging but straightforward thoughts:
You can prepare for tomorrow’s imperfect moments today.
There will be days when you mess up, when it’s not something like an accidental fender bender or a medical diagnosis outside your control. These are the days you will inevitably drop the ball, lose your temper, forget to pick up the kids, let unkind words slip, etc. You are human, so imperfect moments come with the turf of existing.
However, you can find ways to stay rooted to the truth that not only will you never be perfect, but your imperfection is instant access to God’s grace. As I often say, grace and perfection can’t coexist. You have to pick between the two. One leaves you drained as you clamor after an impossible standard. Another grants you the grace to try again and even forgive yourself when you fall short.
Perhaps you can craft your own phrase, much like my “grace and perfection can’t coexist,” as a simple reminder your heart and mind can tuck away for the days that feel nearly impossible to survive.
Your brain has this beautiful God-given ability to recall things that you not only neglect but sometimes don’t want to remember (but certainly need to). Truth is hard to face when the world is heavy, but when you’ve stocked your mind with biblical truths rooted in grace, you’ll find your heart more readily available to accept God’s mercies.
You can rest in what’s unshakeable.
God’s character doesn’t hinge on the mistakes we make or the situations we find ourselves in. Instead, His character is steady, forever sure, and good. Thus, we can lean into the undeniable truth that goodness is always present, even if we can’t see it.
Just as God is outside time, already in our future, we can know that goodness ahead, too. Of course, in a fallen world, there will be hard times. I certainly won’t pretend that your new year will be perfect, but you can find hope in knowing that goodness, healing, and joy, as innate characteristics of God’s very being, await you.
A new year can be both exciting and nerve-racking, especially when years gone by have proven their heaviness. However, I pray these two thoughts steady your heart and calm your mind as you enter a new year. Amid the highs and lows, the sweet moments and soul-crushing experiences, I pray you trust in the goodness of an unchanging, unfailing God.
“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7 (ESV)
Let’s pray:
Father, thank you for the blessing of a new year. Better still, thank you for your presence that has already been with us, using both the good and the bad to craft your story of redemption in our lives and in the lives of those around us. In the strong name of Jesus, I ask that you grant us a heavenly ability to rebuke fear and to walk faithfully in your ways, even when the days are dark and lonely. Grant us the grace and spiritual stamina to prepare our heads and hearts for the hard days, and gently remind us of your unshakeable love. We praise you for your steadfast goodness, Lord. In your almighty name we pray, Amen.
Photo credit: Getty Images/fizkes
Related Resource: Calm for Your Anxious Soul: A Conversation with Becky Keife
Have you ever lain in bed at night, exhausted—but unable to quiet your thoughts? Or felt that tightness in your chest, the racing worries, the sense that you should be okay… but you’re not? If that sounds familiar, today’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast was recorded with you in mind.
I’m joined by my dear friend Becky Keife to talk about her new devotional, A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul—and this conversation is both tender and deeply hopeful. Becky shares her own journey with anxiety, the freedom that came through honesty, and the simple, grace-filled ways God meets us right in the middle of our anxious moments.
We talk about:
• Why anxiety is so common—and why you’re not weak for feeling it
• How Scripture offers real comfort for weary, overwhelmed hearts
• Practical peace practices you can actually live out (even on hard days)
• Letting go of shame and learning to receive God’s compassion
• Resting in God’s presence when you don’t even have words to pray
What I love most about Becky’s approach is this reminder: God doesn’t shame us for our anxiety. He draws near. He invites us to come, to rest, and to receive His peace—one breath, one prayer, one verse at a time.
If your soul has been craving calm, reassurance, or simply the reminder that you are not alone, this episode will be a gift to you.
