Encouragement for Today

January 1, 2025 Four Truths To Remember About God’s Strength at the Start of 2025 GRACE VALENTINE Lee en español

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19a (NIV)

The beginning of a new year can spark goals and vision, but sometimes it can bring exhaustion, discontentment and fear.

Three years ago, I started January in a tiring job, pursuing goals of professional success and financial stability that seemed impossible. Exhausted from work, from the effort of trying to fit in, and from unmet expectations, I wished for a year when things finally would go my way.

I confided in a friend about my resentment toward the previous year and my desperation for drastic change … preferably overnight. She listened, nodded, and even reflected on her own recent hardships.

Then she said, “I used to care about life giving me a ‘break,’ but honestly, I know this adversity will be an opportunity to lean on God more. Now I just ask that God gives me His strength.”

At first, I pushed back. I wanted God’s strength … and also a break. But was I really asking God to give me His strength and to make me more faithful as much as I was asking Him to make my life better?

It’s not wrong to ask God for relief and deliverance. We serve a Savior of miracles who can part the sea, give sight to the blind, and remove whatever hardship we face. But the Lord can also give us His strength to get through a disappointing day or to grow through a hard season. Our hardest trial might be an opportunity to see God’s power.

Habakkuk 3:17-19a says, “Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food … The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (NIV).

This year may hold hardships, but let’s remember these four truths:

1. God’s strength is available to us if we simply call on Him.
2. God is already in the future we are worried about. His Word can give us wisdom and remind us good things are coming.
3. Trouble is promised in this broken world. But God uses all things for our good and His glory (John 16:33). So even on our worst day, we can trust He is working, even if we don’t understand how until heaven.
4. Our trial can become our testimony. We serve a God of redemption who can redeem our past years and this year.

Remember that while last year had its challenges and this year may include hard moments, your Savior will always give His strength when you ask for it. With Jesus, there is joy in the morning and strength in the struggle.

Dear Jesus, this year, use the difficulties I experience to make me wiser, better and more faithful. May I see them as opportunities to lean on You. I do wish life looked different, but I also know You’re a good God who can give me strength. I ask for Your strength right now. Guide me and help me tread on the heights in 2025. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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For more encouragement from Grace Valentine, follow her on Instagram @thegracevalentine or at her website. She just announced her next book, The Better Friend, which will focus on one-sided friendships, and it's available for preorder. Check out her Instagram for more information.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (NIV).

When was a time you felt God’s presence with you? In 2025, how can you work on replacing your fear and dismay with peace and purpose? Tell us in the comments!

© 2025 by Grace Valentine. All rights reserved.