“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”

 

– Isaiah 41:10
 

Standing at the Threshold

There’s something profound about this moment in the calendar—the space between Christmas and the New Year. Behind you lies the celebration of Christ’s birth, the reminder that God entered our world to be with us. Ahead of you stands a new year, full of unknowns, opportunities, and challenges you can’t yet see.

And if you’re honest, that threshold can feel intimidating.

What if this year brings the same struggles as last year? What if the challenges get harder? What if you fail at the goals you’re about to set? What if the economy shifts, relationships fracture, or health issues emerge? What if you’re not strong enough, wise enough, or equipped enough for what’s coming?

Fear whispers loudest at thresholds—those in-between moments when you’re leaving what’s familiar and stepping into what’s unknown. But this is precisely where God speaks the words of Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you.”

The same God who came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem—Emmanuel, God with us—is the same God who promises to walk with you into every unknown day of the coming year. Christmas isn’t just a celebration of what happened 2,000 years ago. It’s a declaration of what remains true today: God is with you.

The Christmas Reminder: God Comes Close

Christmas tells us something essential about God’s character: He doesn’t stay distant. He doesn’t shout instructions from heaven and expect you to figure it out alone. He comes close.

When the world was gripped by fear—living under Roman occupation, struggling with poverty, waiting for a Savior—God didn’t send a strategy. He sent Himself. He entered the mess, the uncertainty, the vulnerability of human existence. He became one of us.

That baby in the manger is God’s answer to every fear you carry into the new year. He’s saying, “I’m not asking you to face this alone. I’m coming with you.”

Think about Mary and Joseph. They faced a year ahead filled with unknowns. A pregnancy that defied explanation. A journey to Bethlehem at the worst possible time. A birth in a stable. Fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod’s rage. Nothing about their situation was safe, predictable, or comfortable.

Yet God was with them. Not just watching from heaven, but present in the child they held. Emmanuel. God with us.

That same presence is available to you as you step into this new year. The God who came close at Christmas hasn’t pulled back. He’s still Emmanuel. Still with you. Still committed to walking every step of your journey with you.

The New Year Reality: Fear Will Show Up

Let’s be honest about what you’re facing as you enter this new year. Fear will show up. It always does when you’re stepping into the unknown.

Fear of failure. What if you set goals and don’t reach them? What if you launch that initiative and it flops? What if you take the risk and it doesn’t pay off?

Fear of inadequacy. What if you’re not capable of handling what this year brings? What if you’re exposed as not having it all together? What if people discover you’re not as strong as they think?

Fear of loss. What if your health declines? What if your business struggles? What if relationships that matter most start to fracture?

Fear of the unknown. You can’t see what’s coming. You can’t control all the variables. You can’t guarantee outcomes. And that uncertainty can be paralyzing.

These fears are real. They’re not signs of weak faith—they’re signs of honest humanity. Even the most faithful leaders feel fear when facing the unknown. The question isn’t whether you’ll feel fear. The question is: Will you let faith be louder than fear?

Faith Over Fear: The Choice You Make Daily

Faith over fear isn’t a one-time decision you make on January 1st. It’s a daily, moment-by-moment choice to trust God’s presence more than you trust your fears.

Here’s what that looks like practically:

When fear says, “You’re not ready,” faith says, “God is with me, and He’s already prepared what I need.” You don’t have to have everything figured out before you step forward. God doesn’t call you to be ready—He calls you to be willing. He’ll provide what you need when you need it.

When fear says, “You’re alone in this,” faith says, “God promised never to leave me or forsake me.” You’re not navigating this year solo. Every challenge, every decision, every uncertain moment—God is there. Not as a distant observer, but as an active partner who strengthens and upholds you.

When fear says, “This is too hard,” faith says, “God will strengthen me and help me.” You don’t have to manufacture strength you don’t have. God promises to be your strength when yours runs out. His power shows up most clearly in your weakness.

When fear says, “You’re going to fail,” faith says, “God upholds me with His righteous right hand.” Even if you stumble, you won’t fall completely. God’s got you. His grip on your life is stronger than any circumstance that tries to shake you.

When fear says, “The future is uncertain,” faith says, “God has already gone before me.” He’s not surprised by what’s coming. He’s not scrambling to figure out how to help you. He’s already prepared the way, already positioned resources, already lined up divine appointments.

Practical Steps to Lead With Faith in the New Year

So how do you actually live this out? How do you make faith louder than fear as you step into this new year?

Anchor yourself in God’s presence daily. Start every morning reminding yourself: God is with me today. Before you check your phone, before anxiety about the day floods in, before you start problem-solving—acknowledge His presence. This one habit will change everything.

Declare truth over your fears. When fear rises, don’t ignore it or pretend it’s not there. Name it. Then speak truth over it. “I feel afraid about this situation, but I know God is with me. He will strengthen me. He will help me. He will uphold me.” Your words have power—use them to preach faith to your fearful heart.

Take the next step, even if it’s small. Faith isn’t waiting until you feel confident. Faith is moving forward while you’re still afraid. You don’t need to see the whole staircase—you just need to take the next step. God will meet you there.

Surround yourself with faith-filled people. You need people in your life who will remind you of God’s faithfulness when fear is screaming. People who will pray with you, speak truth to you, and call you higher when you’re tempted to play it safe.

Keep a record of God’s faithfulness. Look back at last year. Where did God show up? What prayers did He answer? What impossible situations did He navigate you through? Write them down. When fear about the future rises, let the past remind you: God has been faithful before, and He’ll be faithful again.

Set faith-filled goals, not fear-driven ones. Don’t let fear determine what you pursue this year. Don’t play it so safe that you never need God. Set goals that require His strength, His provision, His intervention. Then watch Him show up.

The Promise That Changes Everything

As you stand at the threshold of this new year, you have a choice. You can let fear dictate your decisions, limit your vision, and keep you playing small. Or you can choose faith—trusting that the God who came close at Christmas is still with you, still for you, and still committed to your journey.

Isaiah 41:10 isn’t just a nice verse to put on a coffee mug. It’s a promise from the God who keeps His word:

“Do not fear”—not because nothing scary will happen, but because you’re not facing it alone.

“For I am with you”—the same promise given at Christmas. Emmanuel. God with us.

“Do not be dismayed, for I am your God”—He’s not just any god. He’s YOUR God. Personally committed to you.

“I will strengthen you and help you”—He doesn’t just cheer from the sidelines. He actively empowers and assists you.

“I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”—His grip on your life is secure. You won’t fall.

This is the foundation you build your year on. Not your own strength, wisdom, or ability. But God’s presence, God’s power, and God’s promises.

Step Into the New Year With Faith

So as you move from Christmas into the New Year, carry this truth with you: The God who came close in Bethlehem walks with you into every unknown day ahead.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to be fearless. You don’t have to be strong enough on your own. You just have to choose faith over fear, one day at a time, one decision at a time, one step at a time.

This year will bring challenges. It will bring uncertainties. It will bring moments when fear tries to take the lead. But it will also bring opportunities to see God’s faithfulness in ways you’ve never experienced before.

So step forward with confidence—not in yourself, but in the God who is with you. Lead with faith. Live with courage. Trust that the same God who kept His promise at Christmas will keep every promise He’s made to you.

Do not fear. He is with you. And that changes everything.