I’m not sure if you know this, but last Fall was an extremely trying and sometimes anxious time for me. From late October to mid-December, I made six trips to hospitals and doctor’s offices. There was even a visit to a Cancer Center for testing.
Having to wait two to three weeks for the results of a cancer screening is reason enough to have anxiety. But God. He continued to show Himself faithful throughout everything. By the end of December, I was able to attend a Christmas Dinner Party with old and dear friends, go to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at church, then top everything off with Christmas Day with my family for the first time in three years!
Change in Plans
About five years ago, I learned of the practice of seeking a “word” from God each year. I was fascinated by the idea. Doing so seemed like an excellent way to focus on what God wants versus what you want.
Also, coming from a sales and marketing background of over twenty years, I’d grown tired of making plans and setting goals every year. I had no desire to return to that type of goal setting and planning after the stroke.
So, I decided to change course and began to seek out a “word” from God starting around Thanksgiving and praying He’ll reveal a word for me by the beginning of the New Year.
Word from God
The first year I received a word from God was 2016. This blog post was my most popular and most shared blog post for several years. The very first word from God was COMMIT. It was so much fun to write that post about no more New Year’s Resolutions. I believe the colossal diamond image had something to do with the most shared post. You can read that blog post here.
Here are a few of the words from God over the past several years.
2017: WAIT
2018: PERSEVERE
2019:COURAGE
2020:????
2021: PATIENCE
2022: To Be Revealed
I’m not sure what happened in 2020 other than a pandemic broke out. For some reason, I cannot find my word of the year for 2020? Anyway, I must admit that this last year has been a challenge with the word PATIENCE.
Patience has been a struggle for me for as long as I can remember. However, looking back, there were times when I leaned into that word, and it helped get me through some trying times.
WAIT was a fascinating “word” for me in 2017. I remember being extremely anxious to write my next book. Finally, two months into 2018, the Lord gave me the book title of The Furnace of Affliction.
COURAGE was a fascinating “word” from God because it gave me a deeper understanding of the word. For example, when you choose to live courageously, that does not mean you won’t experience fear. Courage is moving forward in faith despite the fears that plague you.
How my Word from God came to Me
Earlier in this post, I mentioned that my word from God came to me earlier than usual. We all know that God’s timetable is not always aligned with ours. Can I get an “amen?” There have been times when I received His word late in December with that in mind. Sometimes it’s happened around Christmas, and even late in January on one occasion.
However, it was early in December when it came to my word from God for 2022. It was not too long after learning that I did not have cancer. The reason I remember this was because I was like, “Lord, really? After everything I’ve just gone through this Fall, now you want me to endure?” Yes, that is my word for 2022. ENDURANCE.
This word came to me as I read the book of Revelation of all places. In chapter 2, John is writing to the church at Ephesus. It is a reminder that God sees and knows all.
I know ALL the things that you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance… You have patiently suffered for Me without quitting. but I have this complaint against you. You don’t love Me or each other as you did at first! Look at how far you have fallen! Turn back to Me and do the works you did at first.
Revelation 2:2-5. (NLT)
So, What Now?
To say I was convicted is an understatement. These verses hit me like a ton of bricks. I read and re-read, and then I prayed to ask God for forgiveness and seek His wisdom and direction. Afterward, I immediately changed the things in my life that needed changing, and I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for 2022.
So, what now? After the spiritual revelation last month, the analytical side took a deeper dive into ENDURANCE. Look at what I found.
ENDURANCE: Staying power, courage, fortitude, perseverance, strength, patience. The ability to continue or last. Especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions. Steady persistence in a course of action. Dignity. Poise. A purpose. Especially despite difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Continuance in a state of grace. Don’t you love that? A state of grace. Wow!
After reading these definitions, I didn’t know how I felt at first. In fact, I admit that I’m still a little perplexed and concerned.
I know that living the Christian life was never intended to be easy, but I’m not sure I am looking forward to enduring anything except a much-needed haircut and a long relaxing massage. LOL.
Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised. For in just a little while the Coming One will come and not delay. And My righteous ones will live by faith. Hebrews 10:36-38. (NLT)
In Closing
However, I can still have much HOPE. I have tremendous hope knowing I am not embarking on this New Year alone. Friends and family may come, and unfortunately, some go. But God is ALWAYS near. He is comforting, guiding, instructing, and inspiring me to do His will for my good and His glory.
It’s my prayer that sharing my word from God for the New Year has encouraged you to seek His guidance and direction in 2022. There is no one better to put your faith and trust in moving forward.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, lt us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up, and let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1-2. (NLT)
So, what do you think? Do you have a word for the New Year? If so, share in the comments below. I am always inspired and encouraged to learn of other people’s inspiration. What are your thoughts on my word?
I look forward to hearing from you.
In Christ,
Horace Williams Jr.
Horace Williams Jr is the oldest son of a pastor who went to be with Jesus in 2020. He is an award-winning author and amateur chef who loves Jesus Christ. His passion for Christ inspires readers to draw nearer to the God who loves them.
The word that keeps coming to mind is engage. Engage in His Word more, i my church more, with others more and in my personal time with Christ more. I tend to be a loner at times and God is telling me to get over it and engage more with others in my church and in life.
I understand, Cheryl. I have thrived at being a “loner” for most of my life. It sounds like God has some interesting and exciting plans for you in the New Year that will bring you much joy as you follow His will and engage. Blessings.
All of your words for the years have really told your story since your stroke. You truly show that we have a choice on how to react when bad things happen. Instead of blaming God and delving in self pity, you chose to embrace the challenges given to you and let it deepen your relationship with God. Then sharing it with the world through your blog, books.
Thank you.
I thank God for the courage and wisdom to share my testimony of faith with my writing and on the podcast, Cheryl. I’m so blessed and humbled to encourage and inspire those who read and listen. May God be glorified.
I’m so sorry for the backstory of your health issues, Horace! But it makes ENDURANCE sound all the more important for 2022. The Lord knows what he’s doing when he gives us our word. I’ll look forward to the wonderful things I know you’ll be sharing with us about Endurance. It’s something we all need; I know I really do!
Thank you, Lisa for your kind words. I trust the Lord knows what He is doing with me on my journey home. I too look forward and know that He will provide everything I need to endure and thrive moving forward. I pray He is glorified and many hearts are encouraged to seek Him in 2022.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. It’s always good to see how another Christian thinks and acts. I think the word endurance is something that I need for this coming year. I’m going through a hard time, and the potential exists for things to get harder. Enduring till Jesus comes sounds like a great idea.
I feel humbled and honored to share on the platform that God has given me, Carole. Remember that you are not alone as you face things this year. God is ALWAYS near. Keep your eyes on Him.
I am sorry for all you have had to go through, Horace. Thank you for sharing your thoughts so transparently. The verses you have shared spoke to my heart this morning. My word for 2022 is “Wait”. Hebrews 10:36-38 encouraged me to endure in this wait. Waiting does not imply inactivity, there is still much to do as we wait. I so appreciated this post, your thoughts, and the encouragement. May the Lord continue to be with you and bless you!
Thanks, Joanne. I am humbled that you are blessed and encouraged by this post. The past few months were definitely challenging, but thankfully God was with me every step of the way. I can relate to the word “wait.” I love your perspective on that word. One of the best quotes I heard about waiting, or patience is this. “Waiting is doing all that you can do while waiting for God to do what only He can do” May He give you grace and strength in 2022 as you wait on Him.
Horace, thank you so much for sharing the quote on waiting – have written that one down in the back of my Bible.
Excellent! May God continue to remind you of His presence as you wait on Him.
awesome word. Similar to Persevere which was my word in 2016 (I think). I was 30 days of “How long, Oh Lord” which I am working to publish soon.
Yes. Persevere was in the running, but endurance spoke to me the more I was in God’s Word. Especially when I saw the synonym of “staying power,” which I love! So, I am prepared to endure with God’s help and strength.
Horace you’re always an inspiration. I thank God for His enduring word. God has been faithful in giving us each other to strengthen and encourage one another. Standing in faith and love. May the Lord continue to help us grow in grace and knowledge of the truth.
Thank you for your kind words of inspiration, Janette. Yes, indeed, God is faithful. I thank Him for those who continue to come alongside and encourage me on this journey. May God bless you and yours in the New Year.
Endurance! Endurance! Endurance!
What more do we need during our times of affliction. Even our Lord Jesus Christ, for the hope set before Him, endured the cross. The comforting assurance is that, when we set our minds to endure whatever it is we may be going through till God’s appointed time, He himself provides us the strength to endure, for He himself is our God of endurance (Romans 15:5).
*Horace, thanks for uplifting me. I am gonna run with this. You are such a blessing!
Thankful to read you are uplifted today in reading this post. Such a blessing from God for the opportunity to encourage others and inspire them to draw nearer to Him. May you live with endurance in God’s strength.
I’m glad this post encouraged you, George. Thanks for visiting. May God grant you the wisdom you seek this year and beyond!