Happy New Year! The words alone bring the idea that all of the cares from the past year just fall away at the stroke of midnight, and suddenly, everything will come out smelling like roses.
But if you lost your job before Christmas, chances are that you are still dealing with that loss on January 1. If your marriage is a mess, then you probably felt that pang when others kissed their significant others at midnight. If you lost someone dear to you this year, that loss is still felt with an ache that can’t be healed.
Oh sure, it’s easy to mask whatever you’re going through with all of the holiday celebrations, stockings, bows, glittering lights, and parades. But when you lay down to sleep at night, the pain is there, the memories overwhelming, and the loss felt more greatly.
You may hear of others choosing that one word to describe what their year is going to be, but all you can think of are words of negativity, words of hopelessness, words of hurt. But there is one Word that never changes, never fails, and never forsakes us–especially in our hour of need and helplessness.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God–Jn. 1:1.
Jesus came to save us from hopelessness and despair. But He understands and empathizes with us when we are betrayed, unfairly accused, bruised, beaten, rejected, and abandoned. He understands because all of those things happened to Him, too.
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted–Isa. 53:4.
Perhaps you are weary today. I know I am. Sin is running rampant, and the future looks bleak. So when we peer into the darkness, Christ comes alongside us, takes us by the hand, and walks us into the darkness, lighting the way for us.
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it–Jn. 1:5.
Looking into a new year of unknowns is scary. It’s overwhelming. Especially if you don’t know where your next paycheck will come from or whether your marriage will survive or if your kids will get sick again. Perhaps your new year looks dark and hopeless to you.
So stop looking at the entire year, and just focus on tomorrow. Take hold of Jesus’ hand and step bravely into tomorrow because Christ has promised to help us day by day.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him”–Lam. 3:22-24.
Just for today, Lord, grant me love, peace, and forgiveness.
katiecruicesmith.com 
Thanks for reaching into the lives of so many who often suffer silently but traumatically. Focusing on Jesus is the only cure for heartache. He is the only One undistracted by the vagaries of life. He is the one Who comforts, encourages and brings ultimate victory out of apparent failure. He is the Light which exposes the hope in the midst of hopelessness. He is the One Who convinces me to optimistically embrace 2018 because He will be in the midst of His children powerfully working as only He does.