The question of “Your Word” could be confusing to you or crystal clear.

A few years ago I was introduced to a new concept of choosing just one word instead of a resolution for the New Year.

It appealed to me because millions of resolutions are made each New Year that are meant to be life changing and profound, yet only about eight percent of people are successful in keeping them! (myself included)

Year after year we buy-in to the thinking of the ‘magic’ January 1st will bring with it’s fresh start and our ‘new resolution’ to be better, more productive, accomplished…

We resolve to make ‘this year’ better than last year…and then we don’t really.

There’s nothing wrong with a fresh start and a desire to find ways to improve and be better, I believe it’s always Redemption Season!

If you are a successful New Year’s resolution person – awesome! For the rest of us…this one word concept may be the thing that works. (actually, for me – I know it does)

For the last few years I now choose one word to focus on for that year. It has proven to be an amazing catalyst to my personal growth.

Over the years I have learned that just one word can bring so much change and awareness to not only my direction, but also give me a more focused purpose to truly grow and improve.

As a matter of fact, before I even ‘adopted’ the one word concept I found one word that became my mission and mantra all in one – GROW and it not only represented what I personally need to do consistently, but it stands for Give Reward Other Women. And for me, that is sharing what I’ve learned and applied for the benefit of other women.

To ‘find’ my word I start by:

• praying, reading God’s WORD then start

• looking for clues. Those clues are typically

• linked to something I’m really struggling with or resistant to change.

Then a word will come to mind.  When that happens I pray and ask God if that’s my word.

My word is usually confirmed in various ways:

• like seeing the word in my everyday life

• hearing the word in a sermon, speech or song

• I come across a verse with that word and then I just know that’s it.

My very first word came in 2013:
-I had a very difficult relationship situation and although I have peace about it now, it’s still broken
-there were some serious financial struggles that I was beyond worried about
-I was struggling in my business

But something kept me feeling like I needed to just be quiet. (for a word lover like me, that’s not a natural feeling!) I kept praying and then one day in my studies, I came across this verse:

Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

There it was…Be Still. Confirmed in just two words.

In that year I learned to become a better listener.

I learned that right relationship was more important to me than being right.

I learned to do what was within my control and leave the outcome up to God.  I learned that my business was struggling because of me – I got too comfortable.

It was a humbling year, but because I chose to be still, I grew and improved.

2014 was somewhat of a ‘rebuilding’ year and my word was…COMMIT. I was committed to do the hard things:
– forgive even if it was not accepted or reciprocated
– work hard even if no one else was or noticed
– serve without expectation

I Peter 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

That year was bittersweet. Still broken relationships, but blessings that have strengthened my belief in who God says He is and that He is faithful. God answers prayer & miracles still happen.

2015 was all about TRUST.
I was learning to wholeheartedly, willingly putting my trust in God. The two years prior was a time where my trust in what I thought I “knew”, was really shattered and left me wanting to give up.

Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.

After my 2014 miracle it was confirmed that I needed to become confident in trusting God.

And 2016 is my year to REFLECT/REMEMBER.

Looking back I can see how each ‘word’ better prepared and strengthened me for what is coming next. No matter how unexpected or scary, God knows it and has already planned the outcome.

Learning from my past is more productive than dwelling on it.

Isaiah 43:18-19
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

So today I encourage you to take some time and give some thought and prayer to find direction, purpose and focus with just one word.

Learning one day, one week, one year at a time,

Deana