Choosing Your Word for the Year: A Faith‑Filled Reset for Your Mind, Your Relationships, and Your Purpose
January has a quiet power to it. It invites reflection without demanding perfection. For many women of faith, the start of a new year carries a familiar tension: I want to grow, but I don’t want another list of resolutions that leaves me discouraged by February.
What if, instead of striving harder, we chose to live more intentionally?
One of the most practical, spiritually grounded tools I’ve come to love is choosing a Word of the Year—a single word that becomes a filter for your thoughts, decisions, habits, and relationships. It’s not trendy for trendiness’ sake; it’s transformational because it aligns your inner world with God’s purposes.
Why One Word Works (Scripture meets Science)
Scripture tells us to: “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Neuroscience affirms this truth: the thoughts we repeatedly focus on strengthen neural pathways in the brain. What we rehearse, we reinforce—often without realizing it.
A Word of the Year works because it: - Creates clarity instead of overwhelm - Anchors your attention (what you notice shapes how you live) - Interrupts automatic reactions and helps you choose intentional responses
When your mind begins to drift toward fear, resentment, comparison, or self‑criticism, your word acts like a compass—gently redirecting you toward truth.
Paul encourages us to take this seriously: “Take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
A word doesn’t replace spiritual disciplines; it strengthens them.
This Is Not a Resolution—It’s a Relational Tool
As the Relationship Editor, I’ve seen this repeatedly: when a woman changes how she thinks, her relationships begin to change too.
Your Word of the Year can shape: - How you speak to your spouse during conflict - How you show up for your children or aging parents - How you serve on ministry teams without burnout - How you engage neighbours and friends with grace instead of obligation
Imagine filtering your responses through words like peace, steadfast, truthful, gentle, or brave.
Philippians 4:8 gives us the framework: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Your word becomes a daily invitation to live that verse.
How to Choose Your Word (Practical + Prayerful)
This is not about picking a word you like—it’s about discerning a word you need.
Here’s a simple process:
1. Look Back Before You Look Ahead
Ask yourself: - Where did I feel stretched, stuck, or reactive last year? - Which relationships felt heavy or disconnected? - What patterns does God keep gently bringing to my attention?
2. Invite God Into the Process
Pray honestly:
Lord, who are You inviting me to become this year?
Often the word that surfaces feels both hopeful and challenging—that’s usually a good sign.
3. Choose a Word That Shapes Character, Not Just Circumstances
Instead of successful, consider faithful.
Instead of happy, consider joyful or content.
Instead of productive, consider present.
God is far more interested in who you’re becoming than what you’re accomplishing.
Let Your Word Strengthen Your Relationships
Once you’ve chosen your word, begin asking relationally grounded questions: - If I lived this word, how would I listen differently? - How would I respond when I’m misunderstood? - What boundaries would this word require?
For example: - Grace may lead you to pause before correcting. - Courage may lead you to have the hard conversation you’ve been avoiding. - Faithfulness may mean staying consistent in love even when feelings fluctuate.
Healthy relationships are built on intentional choices, not emotional impulses—or unchecked reactions.
Keep Your Word Close (So It Actually Shapes You)
Neuroscience tells us repetition matters. Scripture tells us remembrance matters.
Write your word: - In your Bible or prayer journal - On a sticky note by your mirror - As a reminder on your phone
When you feel triggered, overwhelmed, or tempted to disengage, ask: What does living my word look like right now?
This is where spiritual growth becomes practical.
Reflection Sidebar: 3 Questions to Discern Your Word for 2026
Use these questions prayerfully. Sit with them. Write honestly.
Where do my thoughts most often drift under pressure?
Fear, control, people-pleasing, withdrawal, comparison? Your word may be an invitation toward God’s counter-forming truth.Which relationships is God inviting me to steward more intentionally this year?
Consider where patience, courage, gentleness, or faithfulness may need to grow.Who is God shaping me to become—not just what is He asking me to do?
Look for a word that forms Christlike character rather than simply improved outcomes.
A January Invitation
Choosing a Word of the Year is not about controlling outcomes—it’s about surrendering direction. It’s a quiet but powerful way of saying:
Jesus, lead my thoughts. Shape my character. Guide my relationships. Use my life to bless others.
As you step into January, may your word draw you closer to God, strengthen your connections, and guide you toward the meaningful, faith‑filled life you were created to live.
Because when your mind is renewed, your relationships—and your impact—follow.
Join Stephanie Rourke Jackson, BE Magazine Relationships Editor, for a free online Word Of The Year workshop on Saturday, January 3 at 9:30am. Contact: stephanie@beaconcoaching.ca to register.
