As I reflected on what to write for the first week of 2026—anchored by the final day of 2025, Wednesday 31 December—I found myself without words. Then a message appeared in my inbox from YouVersion, the Bible App.
It invited readers to reflect on the Verse of the Year for 2025: Isaiah 41:10—the most engaged-with verse throughout the year. I know millions of others would have received the same email, yet for me it felt deeply personal.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
[10] 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.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year – our pastor preached on a single, powerful theme: “Do not be afraid.” These were the very first words spoken by the angel of the Lord—to Mary, to the shepherds as they received the good news of Christ’s birth, and to Joseph as he was warned of Herod’s plans.
Heaven’s message, time and again, was reassurance in the midst of uncertainty.
Hence I am making “Do not be afraid” to be my theme for 2026.
In the secular world we live in, there is no shortage of reasons to fear—evil, hatred, envy, and brokenness surround us. So much uncertainty, yet the birth of Jesus, and ultimately His death and resurrection, assure us that fear does not have the final word. God does.
God has a purpose for each of us 🙏. In His perfect timing and in His sovereign way, He will reveal all things—not according to our human understanding or carefully laid plans, but according to His will. As the encouragement in the YouVersion message so beautifully reminds us,
“The God who walked with you through every high and every low in 2025 is the same God who will be with you in 2026.” Amen 🙏
He is unchanging, faithful, and ever-present. With Him beside us, we can step into the new year without fear—confident that the same God who carried us before will continue to lead us forward. ❤️
To God be the glory always 🙏
Idau Hahine 