Moving Forward Together

January 12th, 2024

We're excited to hear from our own Alyssa Glander today as she shares something the Lord has laid on her heart as we embark on a new year. We invite you to read this blog with an open heart toward introspection and outreach in the days and months ahead.

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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Happy New Year!! Well, I may be a few days late or so, but here we all are, ready or not, facing 2024! People often question “what the Lord has in store” for them in the new year, so this blog honors my fellow worry warriors! The holiday season has come and gone, leaving some of us battered, bruised, and worried.

I think it’s safe to say that most of us come into this new year with worries or anxieties. “Will this year be easier? Harder? Will I get that thing I’m working toward? Will my loved one make it through this year? Will I make it through this year? What about my job? My kids? ” and so on. One thing I know for sure is that worry increases feelings of isolation―being in your own head is a really lonely place.

As Christians, we are instructed not to worry, for tomorrow has enough worries of its own (Matthew 6:34), but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Although it can be easy to fall into isolation and brooding (I am super guilty of this), it’s the moments when we are deep in the “worry walls” that we should pray, read Scripture, and confide in our families and communities more.

Three Paths to Overcome Worry

1. Prayer

God made us for communion with Him and His other creations; it’s how we thrive.
When in prayer, be mindful that you are in communion with the Godhead. When we are so filled to the brim with anxieties, worries, or sorrows, we see that in Romans 8:26, the Apostle Paul says: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

In Hebrews 7:25, speaking of Jesus, it says, “Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

1 Timothy 5:7 says, “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one.” So, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all hear our prayers.

2. God's Word

Likewise, when you read Scripture, the Holy Spirit is helping you discern what the Word is trying to convey, and as we all know, John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Reading God's Word allows Him to speak directly to us and meet us where we are (Hebrews 4:11, 12).

3. Our Family and Faith Community

Family and community are other gifts from God that we can use to help us through this year. I know not everyone’s family or church community is perfect; no one is. I know there can be a lot of hurt in those two places that can hinder placing any confidence within them, but I urge you to seek out fellowship with other Christians.

Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Effects of Isolation

Don’t let yourself become isolated from God or others this year, but tap into the pathways of blessing God has provided. It could result in spiritual, emotional, and even physical detriment if you don't. Recently, I was reading about the effects of isolation-induced depression, and I want to share an excerpt from what I read.

As demonstrated by a review of the effects of perceived social isolation across the life span, co-authored by Hawkley, loneliness can wreak havoc on an individual’s physical, mental, and cognitive health (Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Vol. 370, No. 1669, 2015). Hawkley points to evidence linking perceived social isolation with adverse health consequences, including depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function, and impaired immunity at every stage of life. In addition, a 2019 study led by Kassandra Alcaraz, Ph.D., MPH, a public health researcher with the American Cancer Society, analyzed data from more than 580,000 adults and found that social isolation increases the risk of premature death from every cause for every race (American Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 188, No. 1, 2019).

It literally does a disservice to our HEART if we don't combat loneliness, and it can even lead us to an early grave! I know this blog won’t speak to everyone, but even if you're not the one struggling with isolation and worry, you most likely know someone who is. Are you seeking out those who are struggling?

Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Partnering to Pray for Others

I pray that in 2024, we all take the opportunity to be there for another person and be part of that blessing of community. And, on that note, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we, Reasons for Hope, have a prayer request submission form on our RforH App (available on Google Play and the App Store).

We would love the opportunity to pray for you. In addition, you can tap into the follow-up option in which someone on the team would call you and check in on how you're doing. I pray for continuous provision and blessings over you all!

Author Bio:
My name is Alyssa Glander! I have been walking with the Lord since I was about 17, and He has shouldered me all the way!! I am a Content and Social Media Manager at Reasons For Hope and the second youngest member of the team! I've been happily married to my amazing husband Marc for about six years now, and we reside in Georgia with our beautiful baby girl, Genesis, and our certifiably insane (but sweet) Boston Terrier, Axel!