One Word for the Year - JOY | An interdenominational effort helping North Dakota women grow in their faith

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One Word for the Year

January 6, 2015 • By Fran Dwelle

Every January we examine our lives and our imperfections and then choose a resolution for personal change. However, often this list is altogether forgotten in a few weeks.

A few years ago I came across an idea from a church in North Carolina. The pastor encouraged the people to choose just one word as their yearly focus for personal change and growth.

The idea really resonated with me, and I've done this for a few years now. Here are some of my one-words I've selected, with corresponding Scriptures:

Maranatha. “Surely I am coming quickly. Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus." (Rev. 22:20)

I wanted to daily become more aware of Christ's return.

Flourish. “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree....They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright.” (Ps. 92:12,14,15)

Feeling stagnant in some areas of my life, I wanted to cultivate a life that would be transformed into beauty and well-being in all areas.

Faithful. “Moreoever it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (I Cor. 4:2)

My name, Frances, means faithful, and I wanted to grow in this trait during that year. I desired to become a better steward of my life and to be full of faith in spite of circumstances.

Gratitude. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thess. 5:18)

I determined to give thanks and praise by focusing on God's character and not on people or circumstances.

Strong. “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10) and “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10)

My word for this year.

How to choose your one-word

First, determine the kind of person you want to become. Ask:

How do I want to grow this year?
What is the condition of my heart?
Who is the person God has created me to be?

Second, choose your one-word and a Scripture that applies.

Some examples of one-words you could use include:

Restore
Strength
Fearless
Balance
Joy
Patience
Consistent
Simplify
Trust
Focus
Grateful
Persevere
Hope
Believe
Peace
Brave
Love
Intentional
Determined
Contentment

Making your one-word a habit

It's important to remember and apply the one-word. It would've been easy for me to forget the one-word as the year progressed, unless I formed a habit early on to remember it. I decided to write the word and Scripture on a card and put the card in a visible place for daily review, especially the first thirty days.

May your year be focused and blessed as you view it through the lens of your one-word!

Are you interested in choosing your one-word and Scripture for this year? If so, can you share it with us?

Fran Dwelle is the Founder of JOY. Prior to moving to Bismarck in 1997, she and her husband were missionaries in eastern Europe where she founded JOY International in Vienna, Austria. Fran enjoys helping women fulfill their purpose and discover their gifts and strengths. In her spare time she enjoys playing piano, reading, cooking Italian, walking, or having coffee with a friend. Read more posts by Fran.

Visitor Comments (3)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

Posted By BEDAACRS@YAHOO.COM on January 7, 2015

Fear was once again tugging at my heart. I wondered why, hadn't I conquered the depression and worry syndrome some years ago now? What was it? Worry was crowding out my joy,it was as if I was driving with my lights on low beam. I could see directly in front of me but that wasn't really helping me.
True, I had new concerns this new year. My son married some months ago and his new wife drives 40 miles to work everyday over dangerous roads and crosses a blind RR crossing each day. We will have a new grand baby this summer but instead of being excited, I have worried if this child will have health problems like each of our kids did. I tried to understand why this year, instead of facing the new year with high expectations with what God was going to do through me, I worried what God was going to do to me!
One day I realized why this was happening. I asked myself a vital question. When was the last time I spent meaningful time in the Word with God? Shamefully I had to admit since our ladies group broke for Christmas I put the Bible study books away. Sure I could boast that for this new year, I am reading the Bible chronologically and I am working on memorizing twenty new verses this year. These are all great things but for me a reading program and even memorizing scripture, though great aspirations, are not really meaningful study time with God. A quicky AM devotion and a reading plan, though helpful, do not do it for me. I need indepth study alone with God. This was a key to me many years ago and it appears it still is. I need 20-30 minutes at least three to four times a week to keep my focus upward and not inward and downward. As I got back into it I started to see my trust deepening again. I was once again excited what God was going to do this year. Now, maybe this is not needed in every life but it sure is in mine. To conquer fear and mistrust I need a daily dose of meaningful time with God.

that's my word too!

Posted By CBOUSFIELD on January 6, 2015

Fran - strong or strength is going to my word for this year! Haven't totally settled on which one yet but couldn't believe when I saw strong was your word!

JOY

Posted By PANDAPAW48 on January 6, 2015

God gave me the word JOY several years ago as my word of the year. It has been life-changing for me. This year I had planned on and expected to have a new word, but God apparently--obviously--isn't finished with me studying JOY, yet. I am okay with that. He is healing me through the power of His Joy and I am so thankful. I have claimed the scripture, "God, your God, has anointed [me], pouring out the oil of joy on [me] more than anyone else" Psalm 45:7 & Hebrews 1:9.