New mercies, new beginnings

As a new year begins, many of us feel the familiar pull toward resolutions; better habits, healthier rhythms, deeper growth. There’s something hopeful about turning the calendar page. Yet for many women, the new year can also carry pressure: Do more. Be better. Try harder. Before we rush into goal-setting, Scripture gently invites us to pause and remember where true renewal begins.

Lamentations 3:22-23

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

These words were written in a season of deep grief and lament. Jerusalem was in ruins. The people were weary and broken. And yet, right there, in the middle of devastation, the writer declares hope: God’s mercy is new every single day.

Our Starting Point Isn’t Perfection, It’s Mercy

What a powerful reminder for the start of a new year. We don’t begin January because we’ve done everything right. We begin because God is faithful. His mercy meets us not just on January 1st, but every morning, even the mornings when we feel behind, discouraged, or unsure. This truth reframes how we approach goals and resolutions. Christian growth is not rooted in striving to earn God’s approval; it flows from resting in His compassion. Our goals are not about becoming “enough,” but about responding to the God who already is.

The Importance of Knowing Your Why

As we prayerfully set goals, spiritual, personal, relational, or physical, it’s crucial to ask an important question: Why does this matter? A goal without a clear why often fades when motivation runs low. But when your why is anchored in God’s purposes, it brings clarity, endurance, and peace. Instead of asking: “What should I change this year?”

Try asking:

• “How is God inviting me to grow?”

• “What will help me love Him and others more faithfully?”

• “What aligns with the season He has me in right now?”

For example, reading Scripture daily isn’t just about consistency; it’s about knowing the heart of God. Creating healthier boundaries isn’t selfish; it’s about stewardship of the life God has entrusted to you. Pursuing rest isn’t laziness; it’s about trusting God instead of striving in your own strength. When our why is rooted in worship, obedience, and trust, our goals become acts of faith rather than sources of pressure.

Prayer Tip: Pray for Grace for the Journey

Lamentations reminds us that God’s mercy doesn’t run out when we stumble. If you miss a day, a week, or even a month, His compassion has not failed. Growth with God is rarely a straight line. It is a daily returning, a daily receiving of new mercy.

As we step into this new year together, may we:

• Begin from a place of gratitude, not guilt

• Set goals that reflect God’s heart, not the world’s expectations

• Anchor our why in His faithfulness, not our performance

Whatever this year holds, we can walk forward with confidence knowing this truth: God is already there, and His mercies will meet us every morning along the way.

Lastly, if you already feel like you’ve failed, if you’ve missed days, fallen back into old habits, or feel like January isn't going the way you pictured; sweet sister, hear this: God is not shocked by your weakness, and He is not withholding His love until you “get it right.” The enemy loves to use failure as a finish line, but Jesus treats it like an invitation to come closer. Scripture promises, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8), and “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). When you stumble, you are not disqualified, you are human, and you are held. “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Proverbs 24:16), not because they are strong enough, but because God is faithful enough to lift them. And on the days you can barely find the strength to start again, remember: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). So take a breath, look up, and return, not in shame, but in trust, because “His mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23), and “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6).

Philippians 1:6

"being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

2 Corinthians 12:9

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."

Prayer Points:

• Lord, teach us to begin each day not from striving or shame, but from gratitude for Your faithfulness and grace that meet us right where we are. Let our desires be rooted in worship, obedience, and a longing to glorify You, not in comparison, pressure, or performance.

• Lord, give us grace when we fall short and patience as we grow. Remind us that transformation is a process and that You are more concerned with our hearts than our timelines.

• Father, help us steward the lives, bodies, time, and callings You have entrusted to us with love and wisdom.

Father God, thank You for meeting us with new mercy every single day. Teach us to walk into this year with hearts surrendered, minds renewed, and goals rooted in Your purpose. When we are tempted to strive, remind us to rest in Your faithfulness. May our lives reflect gratitude, grace, and trust in You above all else. In Jesus' Name, Amen

God is not mad at you; He's madly in love with you.

Joyfully,

Nicole Smith