What an incredible thing for us to learn—that no matter where we are, how lonely the night, how dark the road, how dismal the prison, how big the problem, Jesus Christ will always be with us in the New Year.
Some years ago, a tornado struck Camden, Arkansas, devastating a chicken farm. Remarkably, one coop was left intact, with 500 chickens alive but exposed. Tragically, all but five died—not from the storm, but from starvation. They had been so accustomed to their daily feedings that they refused to step off the plank and forage for food. Only five ventured out, discovering a feast in their natural environment.
As we prepare for the joyful journey of a New Year, I want to encourage you to choose to step off the plank of the past year and to discover incredible spiritual, joyful food of faith for your victorious Christian life. Many of us face depression, anger, or worry, but we can embrace a life aligned with God’s purpose. Like the Apostle Paul in a Roman prison, who declared, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11), we can remodel our outlook from within.
Joy and peace go hand in hand. You really cannot have one without the other. You can have the joyful journey of a New Year, but you need to begin now if you plan to end it in the right manner.
Here are five principles to guide a joyful journey in the New Year:
Rejoice in the Presence of the Lord
Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice... The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:4-5). Paul’s imprisonment didn’t diminish his joy because he recognized God’s presence. Regardless of how dark the road or difficult the problem, Jesus is with us.
Paul expresses an incredible thought. “The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5). Paul didn’t mean, “His second coming is near.” He meant, “The Lord is here; the Lord is at hand. I’m in this prison, but, I’m here with Jesus, and I rejoice in the Lord.” What an incredible thing for us to learn—that no matter where we are, how lonely the night, how dark the road, how dismal the prison, how big the problem, Jesus Christ will always be with us in the New Year.
The only way that we can make this make sense, is when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). The fact is that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This joy is to be continual, not sometimes. “Rejoice in the Lord always” literally means, “all of the time.”
Practicing God’s presence—acknowledging He is always with us—transforms our outlook. This joy, rooted in God’s unchanging nature, can carry us through any trial in the New Year.
Rely on the Power of God
Paul urges, “Be anxious for nothing; but in every situation, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). What does that mean? It means, if you’ve got a problem, tell God about it.
Worry, one of the most damaging emotions, divides our focus, pulling us between hope and fear. The very word worry means “division.” The cure for worry is prayer. God invites us to bring every concern to Him with thanksgiving. As we rely on His power, we exchange our anxiety for peace.
Worry doesn’t take the sorrow out of tomorrow; it takes the joy out of today. Worry pulls tomorrow’s clouds over today’s sunshine. Worry about nothing; pray about everything in the New Year!
Reflect on the Provision of the Lord
Paul emphasizes gratitude: “...with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). Thanksgiving is faith in action. It acknowledges what God has done and anticipates His future provision.
As we enter a New Year, we do not reserve an attitude of thanksgiving for the fourth Thursday in November but instead, begin every morning with thanksgiving unto the Lord. Did you know that there’s no higher expression of faith than thanksgiving, and worry is the highest expression of unbelief? Thank God for what He has done and for what He’s already going to do.
Rest in the Peace of the Lord
Paul states, “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). True peace isn’t the absence of problems but the presence of God’s power to face them.
As I said earlier, joy and peace go hand in hand. We cannot have peace without joy. As joy gladdens us, peace protects us, anchoring our hearts in God’s steadfast love and enabling us to navigate the New Year with confidence. Obtaining peace will not mean the subtraction of problems from life; rather, it’s the addition of the power of God to meet you in those problems. You don’t keep this peace; this peace keeps you.
Renew in the Purpose of God
Paul advises, “If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Guard your mind as Paul instructs, allowing only thoughts that align with God’s truth. This discipline transforms how we live and perceive the world. You can choose your thoughts like you can choose your friends. How are you going to think the right things in the New Year? Well, let me put it another way: how are you not going to think the wrong things? By thinking the right things.
Here’s a checklist for renewing our minds:
-Is it true? “Whatsoever things are true.” In a world valuing pragmatism over truth, hold to God’s Word. Avoid trivial or unworthy thoughts. Don’t let any untruths come into your thoughts and life and consciously dwell there.
Is it honorable? “Whatsoever things are honorable.” Some things are not bad because they are vile; they’re bad because they’re inane—just silly, stupid, and not worth it.
-Is it right? “Whatsoever things are right.” The word right, here, means, “straight,” as opposed to “crooked.” Don’t let any crooked thinking come into your mind.
-Is it pure? “Whatsoever things are pure.” The word pure, here, means “free of contamination.” During this time in history, what it was used for is to ask, “Is this animal—or is this object good enough, and is it pure enough to be used in worship? That is, could it be offered to God? Is this something that I would not be ashamed to offer to the Lord? Then, don’t let it into your mind in the New Year. Dwell on what is holy.
-Is it lovely? “Whatsoever things are lovely.” Now, the word lovely, here, doesn’t mean “beautiful.” It means, “causing you to love.” If there’s something that comes into your mind that causes you to criticize unjustly, or brings division between human beings, then it’s wrong.
-Does it sound right? “Whatsoever things are commendable.” Many people love to listen to gossip or ideas that are not of good report. Don’t let people in who track mud on the carpet.
As Paul instructs, let’s guard our minds, allowing only thoughts that align with God’s truth. This discipline transforms how we live and perceive the world. As we enter a New Year, let’s step off the plank and embrace God’s provision. You don’t have to live as you did in the past year. Rejoice in His presence, rely on His power, reflect on His provision, rest in His peace and renew in His purpose. Together, these principles will guide us to a year of joy and spiritual abundance.
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Dr. James O. Davis is co-founder of Global Church Network, the largest pastors network in the world with more than 2,750 Christian ministries and 700,000 churches who are synergizing and mobilizing their efforts to help finish the Great Commission by 2030. Global Church Divinity School has helped train tens of thousands of Christian leaders since 2002. He is author of many titles, including his newest, The Joy Book, just released.
