A Yearly Theme or Word Instead of Resolutions

It’s that time of year when many people set New Year’s Resolutions. Getting a fresh start and taking inventory or assessment (like we discussed here) are not bad ideas. It’s good to take time to rejoice over victories and lessons learned while still seeking out areas needing growth and improvement. A time for personal inventory and new commitments can be important in your accountability to the Lord. We can see many examples throughout scripture where people set apart time for personal reflection.

However, as I’ve mentioned in previous years, I usually like to come up with a yearly theme or word instead of writing resolutions. I have found this to be a lot more powerful, effective, and productive both personally and especially spiritually. I originally got this idea from a Bible devotional that I read on my YouVersion Bible app, called “One Word That Will Change Your Life”. It was a quick, simple 4-day reading plan. This has changed how I usually approach the new year now, and my focus on a yearly theme tends to last all year as opposed to a fleeting, failing, or temporary resolution.

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.” Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT)

Take Some of the Following Practical Steps to Pick a Yearly Theme or Word and Then Focus on it Over the Year:

How to pick a yearly theme or word

The idea is to come up with a yearly theme or word or even a phrase, preferably one that God reveals, that you will focus on for the year. The process to come up with your theme or word consists of evaluating the previous year, spending some time in prayer asking God for direction, listening to God and paying attention during quiet times and Bible readings, and looking for anything that stands out or has repetition. Through this process, a yearly theme, word, or phrase should arise and set the course and focus for the upcoming year.

Some things to try:

• • First, check out the “One Word That Will Change Your Life” reading plan. It might help give you more in-depth instructions on choosing your yearly theme or word and/or asking God to reveal it to you.
  • Next, reflect on the previous year—look back over journals/notes/sermons/reading plans/books/etc., think about lessons God taught you, consider ways God may have been preparing you for this upcoming year. Write down any recurring themes or patterns or anything you feel might be relevant.
  • Then, spend some time in prayer about your theme, word, or phrase. Ask God, “What do you want to do in me and through me this year?” and “Lord, please reveal your yearly theme for me this year.” Then, sit quietly and listen to see if any words or phrases pop into your mind. Be patient. Don’t feel like you have to have it nailed down in just a couple of days. As things come to mind, write them down and continue praying about it for a few days to confirm your yearly theme.
  • Finally, here are some links to my previous posts on picking a yearly theme or word that have some other helpful tips:

One Word for the Year

Do You Have a Theme Word for the Year?

Once you’ve decided on your yearly theme or word for this year…

Once you have decided on your yearly theme or word for the year be sure to write it down somewhere. Keep it handy somewhere where you can see it and be reminded of it often. I keep mine on my bathroom counter. Additionally, pay attention when your theme is relevant or comes up over the course of the year, make notes, and circle the theme or word when you write it in your journal. Look for ways to learn more about your theme, to grow in your theme, or to hear from God about your theme. You will need to be intentional about focusing on it periodically.

Here are some ways you can intentionally focus on your yearly theme or word (do these things over time, not all at once because it can get too overwhelming):

• • If you keep a journal, circle your theme or word each time you write it down so that it stands out on the page, and it will also give you something to look back on and reference to see repetition and patterns.
  • Do a “word study”. Look up scriptures that contain your theme or are about your theme.
  • Look up Bible reading plans or Bible studies about your theme.
  • Study Bible stories and/or characters having to do with your theme.
  • Listen to sermons and/or podcasts about your theme.
  • Pay attention to the different ways the word or theme could be used…as a noun, as a verb, etc. (you can see how my word “way” from 2020 had different grammatical contexts).
  • Lastly, be sure to stay focused on YOUR theme or word. Don’t get distracted by what others’ themes, words, or goals are. Don’t waste time on comparison. You also shouldn’t shift your focus off of what God is trying to do in and through you by inserting yourself into what He’s working on in other people. Accountability is good, but it’s important to remember that you are not their Holy Spirit. So no matter how good your intentions are, unless you know with certainty that you are being directed by the Holy Spirit, don’t offer unsolicited advice or help on another person’s yearly theme or word.

“Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.” Mark 4:24 (NLT)

“And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure of thought and study you give to the truth you hear will be the measure of virtue and knowledge that comes back to you–and more besides will be given to you who hear.” Mark 4:24 (AMPC)

“and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs…” 1 Thessalonians 4:11a (ESV)

Do you know your yearly theme or word? Share it with us by leaving a comment below!

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)