This season, many people find themselves feeling restless. It’s a time when we pause for self-reflection, revisit our vision boards of the year and understandably, that can shake us up. But does it really have to be this way every year?
Have we simply accepted that each festive season, while we celebrate on the outside, we’re disappointed, dissatisfied, and discouraged on the inside? We eat, laugh, and enjoy the moment, yet deep down many adults feel anxious, one year older, yet like Joshua, still facing the “much land yet to be possessed,” anxiety. Is this truly meant to be the experience of God’s people, or have we embraced a worldly pattern without even noticing? And more importantly, does it have to be the same story every year?
I woke up with this on my heart today: I don’t want festive-season anxiety anymore. I don’t want to keep repeating this same pattern year after year. Does it mean everything in my life is perfect right now? No. But I do want to experience real peace and bliss during this time of the year. As I was thinking about this, I was led to Proverbs 4:25–27 (NLT). Let’s read it together.
“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”
Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT
“Look straight ahead.” But I’m like, “Lord, all I see are my unsolved problems, JESUS!”
Yet the Scripture reminds me that it’s easy to get sidetracked when we focus on anything other than the vision that still needs to be fulfilled. It’s tempting to say, “I’m not seeing any results… maybe I should just follow the world’s way so I at least have something to show my family.” Family pressure is real.
And while our families genuinely want us to prosper, the truth is that family can also be one of the biggest sources of anxiety, depression, hopelessness and even suicide. I’m telling you the gospel truth. Sometimes their expectations even when they come from a loving place collide with a person who’s already frustrated, and that’s people get sidetracked and thrown off. So this season, may your words, your opinions, and your comments never sidetrack anyone.
So while we reflect on what we didn’t accomplish this year, we must also mark out a straight path for our feet. What does that mean? It means we intentionally clear out the distractions so that as we run into 2026, nothing that tripped us up in 2025 will have the power to trip us again. Stick to the path and stay safe.
Don’t drift into another purpose, another lifestyle, or another identity simply because the pressure feels heavy. Stay with what God told you. The truth is, there is still much land to conquer, so much we haven’t done, and so much still ahead. But sitting in anxiety won’t get us there. Focus will. And for some people, this focus may look different. While others are resting, you, the one who knows how tight your shoes are, might need to be working.
“Oh, but I’m tired.”
Yes… but you’re tired and without results. So stay on the path. Don’t get sidetracked. Don’t let anything cause you to repeat a 2025 mistake in 2026.But above all else, remember this: Be anxious for nothing, the year is not over. Who told you God is done? Rest your ever-anxiously racing heart!❤️
It’s worship Wednesday! Go on and bless the Name of the Lord! So much can still happen in the next three weeks! Congratulations !🥳
One reply on “Proverbs 4:25-27”
I love love this, thank you so much!