Doubting the Heart, Trusting the Shepherd

As I step into a new year, I hope—like many of you—that this year will be filled with joy, purpose, and peace. Whether you are a person of faith or not, we all carry that same thread of hope: that this year will be better than the last.

If you’re a believer in God, you may find yourself praying that He blesses your year. If not, perhaps you hope your plans, intentions, and goals will bring the joy you're looking for. Either way, deep inside, we all long to know that things can get better.

As for me, I believe in a loving and sovereign God. And yet, even with this belief, I find myself asking hard questions:
Will this year really be good? Will I be prepared for the challenges ahead? Will I trust God when things feel uncertain?

The Battle Between Faith and Doubt

I’ve found that doubt doesn’t just creep into our minds—it sinks into our hearts. Scripture affirms this:

“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”
— Mark 11:23

Jesus Himself said:

“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” — Luke 24:38

Our hearts often betray what our mouths declare. Even as we sing worship songs and recite promises, we wrestle with fear, discouragement, and the unknown.

A New Year, A Renewed Reminder

This year, I want to walk forward remembering that even when I doubt, God is faithful. I want to believe not only in my mind but in my heart that God is good—regardless of my circumstances.

I’m reminded of the promise in Psalm 27:

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

That goodness doesn’t erase all trials, but it gives me confidence that God’s presence and power will carry me through—in joy and in sorrow, in celebration and in waiting.

For the One Still Searching

If you don’t believe in God, I invite you to ask yourself: Why do I hope in the new year? Where do you find your peace when everything shifts? What sustains your courage?

If I didn’t believe in God, I’m not sure where I would place my hope. But because of Him, I can face the year with trust, even when I don’t feel ready.

With Jesus leading, I know that His strength will persevere through my weakness. And that, more than anything, is what gives me hope.