By Chip Sekulich, TwelveStone Health Chaplain
As one year closes and another begins, we all follow a familiar rhythm. We look back, reflecting on moments of joy and disappointment, victories and losses. We look around, taking down decorations, wrapping up year-end obligations, and catching our breath. And then we look ahead, setting plans, making resolutions, and wondering what the new year will hold.
The truth is, no matter how much we plan, none of us can see what tomorrow—or even the next hour—will bring. But there are three certainties every new year holds: we will face the unknown, we will experience the unpleasant, and we will be surprised by the unexpected. In each of these moments, Scripture reminds us that God is not only aware—He is present, faithful, and prepared.
When we face the unknown, God offers His presence.
Uncertainty naturally brings fear. We prefer what is familiar, predictable, and controllable. Yet again and again, Scripture reminds us not to be afraid. One of the most quoted verses in recent years, Isaiah 41:10, says: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” God reassured Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Peter, and Paul with the same promise—I am with you. Like a child running to their parents during a storm, we find peace not by controlling the unknown, but by trusting God’s presence within it.
When we suffer the unpleasant, God invites us to trust His promises.
Faith does not spare us from hardship. Pain, loss, disappointment, and struggle are all part of the human experience. But faith anchors us in something deeper. Scripture teaches that faith is rooted in God’s promises—promises that do not change with circumstances. The Bible is not a collection of hopeful ideas; it is God-breathed truth, reliable and enduring. Numbers 23:19 reminds us: “God is not a man, that He should lie.” When life is difficult, we may not understand God’s timing, but we can trust His Word.
When we are surprised by the unexpected, God calls us to wait on His provision.
God is never caught off guard. Even when we are shaken, He sees ahead. Waiting is difficult—especially in a world wired for instant solutions—but Scripture teaches that waiting is not inactivity. Waiting builds strength, character, humility, and dependence on God. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength,” Isaiah writes. In waiting, we learn that God is sufficient, even when nothing else is.
As we step into this new year, may we remember:
- When we face the unknown, we need not fear—God is with us.
- When we suffer the unpleasant, we can trust—His promises remain true.
- When we encounter the unexpected, we can wait—His provision is sure.
God knows the end from the beginning. He has never broken a promise, and He has never failed to meet a genuine need. This year—and every year—He walks with us, faithfully and fully.
