There is so much buildup to a new year isn’t there? I think we tend to be let down so quickly in January because we build it up so much coming into the new year. We all love the idea of a fresh new page, a fresh new start, but I guarantee you, many of you guys, just like me, started January 1 (maybe even at 1 AM in the morning) with already a blotch on your new year. It could’ve been an argument. It could’ve been an unwanted thought that entered your mind and soiled day one of the new year. It could’ve been a missed opportunity — whatever it was — your new year was already spoiled.

Something I am coming to realize more and more is the only way for us to experience a fresh start is for our lives to be hidden in Christ all year long, not just December 31, not just January 1, but always. Whether you are a New Year’s resolution person or not, today I want to encourage you to hide yourself in Christ.

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. - Isaiah 43:19

I am praying that God would “do a new thing” in our lives in 2026! As you face a new year, keep yourself hidden in him. He will not disappoint. He will not let you down. His plans for you are for your good even if your year includes hard things. Hold your plans with open hands and trust your year to him.

The Word of the Year

Instead of New Year’s resolutions, we do a word of the year. It’s just one simple way to bring focus to our year. My word of the year for 2026 is “ABIDE”. I love this word. It is a word that has consumed my meditations recently. I am just starting to scratch the surface on the meaning of this word “abide”. I will be sharing more about this in the coming weeks here on this Substack and in the podcast, but for now, the verse that I’ve chosen for this word is not necessarily the passage you would expect.

The word “abide” shows up over forty times in the Gospel of John, but it also shows up in a specific passage that a lot of people associate with the word “abide” in John 15. Jesus teaches that the only way to produce fruit is to abide in him. Apart from him, we can do nothing. This would be the obvious verse to choose, but instead, I’m leaning on the Old Testament equivalent to the John 15 passage.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. - Psalm 91:1

There is so much in this one little verse that I can’t wait to unpack it with you! So much is stuffed into those words: dwell, abide, shadow, shelter, Most High and Almighty. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we dive into those words. I can’t wait for all God is going to teach us through this one tiny verse!

I don’t know if you choose a word of the year or if you pick goals for the year or choose things you want to aspire to and accomplish, but I just want to encourage you with this simple reminder: Hold your plans for the new year in open hands. Allow Jesus to set the pace for your new year. Resist the urge to plan out your year and set yourself up for disappointment; instead, release your year to Christ. Give everything and everyone to him and know that the only way to turn a fresh page is hiding ourselves in Christ every day, every moment, every year.

Share Your Word

If you chose a word for 2026, I would love for you to share it here! Comment your word of 2026 below.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com