Brave: Word of the year 2024

spiritual growth

Jan 17

Moving beyond the ‘usual’. Trying something new. Doing something new. Risking for gain.

My Word of the Year (WOTY) came much later this year. It was already January when it came. There were many contenders but none that felt like they had the Lord’s stamp of approval.

BRAVE

But this year, I need to move beyond the usual and into something that isn’t as comfortable. I live in a new place and haven’t yet established myself, some acquaintances but no new friends yet. My ministry has grown; I have published five Bible studies and a few more books to go with them, but they need a boost to get into people’s hands and touch their lives and hearts.

I need to try something new. And that is scary and uncomfortable. I need to be brave.

I need new scheduling and routines for productivity.

I need fellowship in this new place.

I need to market the ministry effectively.

I need to let go of (admit?) the things that I cannot control and things I do not need to control.

These are things that I know of that I am not doing well. God knows what else I need to address with bravery. And I want to invite him to show me, walk with me to address them.

SCARY WORD

In a way, this is even a scary word to choose – because it means pushing myself and going beyond what my little world is. Stepping out and doing things that make me uncomfortable, trying new things. By nature, choosing to be brave makes me think that it will be a crazy year. I choose to find joy in the craziness and trust God in all of it.

But secondary to this, I have also come to realize that I need to celebrate more. It was two months after the 5th anniversary of InspiritEncourage that I realized the milestone had passed. Five years! In celebrating, it means that I am looking for the things that have passed and moved beyond the expected or usual. It took bravery to start, and it frankly takes bravery to continue. To put ideas out there that may or may not be accepted is another scary thing. And I need to do it more, with discipline.

I hope you are ready for a wild year! BRAVE

What do you anticipate this year? Have you set goals or chosen a WOTY? I’d love to hear about it below.