The start of a new year often arrives with a mix of hope and pressure. We are encouraged to reflect, reset, and resolve—yet for many, the calendar change does not automatically bring emotional renewal. Anxiety, depression, grief, and exhaustion do not disappear at midnight on December 31. As people of faith, it is important to acknowledge this truth while also embracing the hope God offers us for the days ahead.

Scripture reminds us in Lamentations 3:22–23 that “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are new every morning.” God’s promise of newness is not about perfection or instant change; it is about daily provision, grace, and presence.

Faith Does Not Eliminate Struggle

One of the most common misconceptions in faith communities is that strong faith should shield us from mental health challenges. Yet throughout the Bible we see faithful people wrestling with despair, fear, and weariness. Elijah asked God to take his life. David cried out in anguish in the Psalms. Even Jesus experienced deep sorrow and distress.

Faith does not mean we will never struggle; it means we do not struggle alone. Mental health challenges are not signs of spiritual failure—they are part of the human experience in a broken world.

A New Year, Not a New You - But a Faithful God

The pressure to become a “new you” in the new year can be overwhelming. Instead of striving for transformation through willpower alone, we are invited to walk into the year with intention, compassion, and trust in God’s ongoing work within us.

This may look like:

• Giving yourself permission to rest rather than constantly strive
• Seeking counseling or support as an act of wisdom, not weakness
• Setting healthy boundaries that protect your emotional and spiritual well-being
• Practicing prayer and Scripture not as a checklist, but as connection
  

Small, faithful steps matter. Healing and growth often happen gradually, not dramatically.

Creating a Culture of Care

As the Church, the new year is an opportunity to be a place where mental health is spoken about with honesty and grace. When we normalize conversations around emotional well-being, we reflect the heart of Christ—one that sees, listens, and responds with compassion.

Romans 12:15 calls us to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” This includes making room for people whose new year feels heavy, uncertain, or lonely.

Moving Forward with Hope

The new year does not promise ease, but it does promise opportunity—opportunity to lean into God’s faithfulness, to care for ourselves and one another, and to trust that even in our struggles, God is at work.

Use the guide below as an opportunity to set your weekly intentions for 2026. Feel free to print this or save to your device so that you can reference it daily. 

As we step into the year ahead, may we do so with honesty about our mental health, confidence in God’s presence, and hope rooted not in resolutions, but in grace.

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