“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” — Isaiah 43:18

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Just last week we closed out 2025, and there is nothing we can do to bring any of it back. Some of you might be thinking 2025 did not finish fast enough. It might have been a bad year for you — some have lost close friends, lost dear loved ones, gone through hard marriage issues, while others have gone through difficult illnesses and others have lost their jobs. I will agree with you that life is not easy. Life can be very difficult and tough.

Do you have regrets? Are you disappointed and discouraged? I have been there, and I do not know anyone who has not been there at some time.

But don’t give up. Please do not get discouraged. As difficult as it can get, know that God knows your situation and He knows your needs. Start out the new year with a positive outlook; all of us have reasons to thank the Lord for what we have. Do not take your stress and anxiety into this new year we’ve stepped into.

God desires us to look forward, to look for great things to happen and for the blessings He gives us every day. In Philippians 3:13, the apostle Paul writes, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” Paul knew looking back would not help. He had his issues with health, death threats and disappointments; however, Paul also knew God cared for him. I, as well as you, should not bring up the thoughts of “what if” or “if only I could go back and re-do.”

Isaiah 43:18 reminds us to “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” We can all look forward to 2026, even if we know parts will be hard. Let us be positive and ask God to help us be diligent in our daily reading of His Word. Let’s make a conscious effort to increase our personal prayer time with Him and look for opportunities every day to help someone else have a great day.

I have a couple sayings I use often when people greet me. When I am asked, “How are you?” just like we ask others every day, I answer with “I have good days and I have better days, all I need to do is turn on the news and I don’t have a bad day.” My other saying can sometimes get me booed out of the office, but walking down the hall on a Thursday, I will say to the open doors in the hallway, “Don’t you wish it was Monday?!” There is one thing you can control, and that is your attitude, so keep the Lord in your day and show others His love through you.

This past year marks the fourth time in six years that a specific verse has been the YouVersion verse of the year, reflecting a universal need for reassurance in times of anxiety and uncertainty: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)

Can you think of anything more encouraging? The God of the universe will help and strengthen you, and hold you up in His righteous hand! We have much to look forward to, indeed.

Blessings to all of you! Have a fantastic 2026!

— Mr. Jan Hethcock

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