Every December as one year ends and another begins, I find myself seeking God for my word for the year and my Bible verse for the year. These two things give me an anchor through the storms that will come over the upcoming 365 days. This word and verse becomes a safety line I cling to in the floods of life to pull me back to firm, dry ground. In this world we will have troubles, scripture tells us. Having a firm grasp of a word from the Father sustains us mentally and spiritually on the unknown road ahead.

If you haven’t made choosing a word for the year your practice, I would encourage you to start doing so this year. Just to inspire some thoughts I’ve listed specific words and verses friends have told me about or ones I’ve used myself. See if God brings one to your attention or if He gives you your own unique Word of the Year.

Listen. “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” Proverbs 1:5

Grace. “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Cor. 12:9 ~OR~

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Col. 4:6

Hope. “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Prov. 25:5

Life. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20

Kind. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph. 4:32

Trust. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs. 3:5-6

Rest. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28

Joy. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom. 15:13

Celebrate! “Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.” Luke 15:23

Worship. “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

Humility. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs. 11:2

Truth. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Silence and Solitude. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35