Word of the Year 2022

For a few weeks now I’ve been pondering my word of the year. Usually, it changes each year. Sometimes it doesn’t. For me, these are words to live by, lessons God wants to teach me. Sometimes, they’re more portions of scripture, or thoughts to ponder. This past Advent, my husband and I studies Light. I was astounded by all the places that Light was used throughout scripture. I loved diving into this world. It really spoke to me. And so, I wondered if Light would be my word for 2022. Light, as Jesus is the Light of the world. Light, as we are a light unto the world, sharing the good news.

But Joy entered in as well. Sometimes Joy comes quietly, deep inside. Sometimes, Joy is a choice. I’m entering a season where the next month or so lends itself to being really stressful. So, choosing Joy is so important. Choosing Joy is a physically reminder to be thankful.

Light. Joy. Thankfulness.

Joy reminds me to focus on just how much God has done for our family, and just how much He will continue to do. This is a year with so much promise. Yes, it will have stress. Yes, it will have sorrow and heartbreak. But Joy will enter in as well.

Joy has been a choice in these first few weeks of a New Year. A daily choice. A moment-by-moment choice. Joy seems to be reminding myself to be thankful. Joy has also meant taking mental health breaks. Just today I took a walk around downtown, after dropping my kiddos off at an Art Class. That was Joy for me. Joy means realigning my day, and my heart.

I’m curious if you’ve landed on a word for the year? What has God been speaking to your heart? What might He be asking you to focus on in the coming year?

I will say this, be careful, and guard your heart after choosing that word. As soon as I picked “Joy”, I felt tremendously attacked. This past week has had moments that have left me feeling so defeated, so sad, so overwhelmed. Choosing Joy, meant I was immediately set face to face with things that weren’t joyful. Guard your heart. Stay deep in scripture. Give yourself moments with the Lord, to be redirected and brought back into focus.

Finding a word or intention for the year can be so rewarding, but so hard as well. This word Joy has already started testing me.

So why choose a word? It gives me a focus. Something to write about here on the internet, and something to search for throughout scripture in my personal study. I’ve always loved journaling, and am trying harder to make it a part of my early morning practice.

What are your thoughts on a word for the year? I’d love to hear.