The Christian New Years Resolution
It’s a common practice amongst certain Christians to choose a word for the year, instead of New Year’s Resolutions. The idea behind it is that, with prayer, you and God decide on a word that is meant to grow you in a specific way. It’s something my church back home in Vegas does every year, and it’s something I’ve continued to do as well.
I’ve found it extremely helpful—like when my word for 2020 was ‘steadfast’. In Jan. 2020, I’d thought it was such a unique and spiritually driven word… Flash forward to March 2020. I did a little bit more research and stumbled on James 1:2-4 and immediately asked God for a new word. (He didn’t give me a new one and I ended up learning some very valuable lessons).
My new word…
This past year, however, God’s been doing things a little differently than most. I mean, for starters, He did something crazy and brought me three thousand miles away from my family to Ohio of all places. I’ll be the first to admit, I was feeling anxious as December (2022) rolled around and it was time to start looking for a new word. My word for 2022 was ‘care,’ (perhaps that’ll be a separate blog at some point), and if God was able to use that to bring me pretty much across the country, what would He do with my next word?
I was sitting on one of the last days of school before break—desperately missing my family, cold as heck, and listening to my mentor speak when it hit me like lightening. I don’t even remember what my mentor was talking about, but suddenly he said the word ‘conqueror’, and like lightening from the sky, I felt electricity shoot through my entire body… and I knew. That was the word God had for me.
I don’t know if you can tell or not, but ‘conqueror’ is a much bigger and scarier word than ‘care’ ever could be. We prayed, ended the meeting, and I ran to the student offices for space. My classmates followed and began chatting, and it happened a second time. I heard someone say the word ‘courageous,’ and more lightening shot through my body.
I stopped and looked up at God.
“Well, which is it?” I asked. I felt God smile and present the phrase ‘courageous conqueror’. I stopped and looked at him again. “Nuh-huh,” I whispered. “It’s a one-word a year, not two words a year. That’s two words, sir! It’s not happening.”
Obviously, if you get into a verbal altercation with the Lord, we all know who’s going to win. I sucked it up and focused on those two words, together, as God intended… We’re almost halfway through the year now, and while it’s not over and I definitely have a long way to go, allow me to share what I’ve learned so far, with these two words.
1. Self Talk
I don’t think I’ve ever used the words ‘courageous’ or ‘conqueror’ to describe myself, in the entire 24 years that I’ve been alive. I don’t think I’ve heard anyone use those words to describe me either. Instead, I find I use words like ‘weak’ or ‘incapable’ or ‘coward’. All of those are complete opposites of being a Courageous Conqueror, and, now that I’ve said it out loud, obviously and completely untrue. If God sees me as a Courageous Conqueror, then I should probably start telling myself I am one.
2. A Light of Christ
I hate sharing my opinion and experiences. If it’s something I haven’t been validated for by my closest friends, or haven’t had time to think about yet, I won’t share it. Simply as that. The problem? It means if I have an experience with God I’ve never had before, I won’t share it, even if it could help someone else. If I discover something new and exciting, I’ll shy away from others and keep it to myself.
But that’s not how God wants me to be. It takes courage to share what God is doing in your life. Lots of vulnerability too. God did not create me to hide me away. As a Christian, I’m a light, whether I like it or not. Each light is unique, but by nature, it dispels and chases out darkness. God didn’t create me to hide away and keep my mouth pressed shut.
If you have Christ in you, you’re going to shine.
So, that’s my word for 2023… What’s yours and what has God taught you so far?
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This is awesome. In Spanish, there are a couple words for couragous. You can use “Brava” or “Esforzada” to mean couragous in the sense of brave, dauntless, unshakable, wild, and fearless. Conversely, you can use “Valiente” to mean a gentler courage. It is more akin to bravery for a purpose. Not that you are fearless and untouched by consequences, but rather that you valiantly face those for a worthy cause. I don’t know which you are intending for yourself, but I very much see the latter in your life.
Thank you, my friend! <3
Ooh, good words! It’s so great to see what God has already done with them!
I just got my word (mostly because I forget to ask for one at the beginning of the year, or because when I do, I have trouble discerning His voice from the noise in my head).
My word this year is “Grow” and I’m so excited 😁 yes, there will be growing pains, but it’s going to be fantastic!
I laughed so hard about your “verbal altercation with the Lord.” Yep. Been there, done that, and somehow He always wins. 😉
I wrote down Shalom (Hebrew for peace and wholeness) at the beginning of this year, but another word’s been edging in this whole time. WITH. Living life with Him, not doing things for Him out of my own strength. It’s a hard lesson to learn…luckily He’s really patient!
Haha! I’m glad I could bring a smile to your face. And ooh, that’s interesting! I like that a lot, thanks for sharing!
Those are two fantastic words for this year! Love hearing about your process, thanks for sharing!
My Word for 2023 is HOPE. I’m trying hard to finish writing a book about my son who passed away almost 40 years ago.(yes, I’m old) The book has turned into the story of my immediate family. A memoir of sorts. Since losing my son, I have lost my husband and best friend on earth. My other two sons and my grandchildren try to keep me lifted up and I thank God for them. I am fortunate to have a sister and her daughter who help people self publish books. It is very hard to end it since I’m still here living my Life, but I am almost ready to publish it. It is my hope that it will turn others to Christ and give them hope, no matter their circumstances. It’s been hard writing it and some days it gets me down, but I refuse to be out! I am 77 years old and my health is good, but feel it is urgent to get it out there to help others. It will help me and my family too. God is able to make a way. He has held me up all these years and will do to trust!
Hope seems to me to be a very good word! Thank you for sharing your story 🙂