Girl, Journal, Guiding Word

Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and He will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3 ❤ (Verse on Bible Hub)

What is your Guiding Word for 2020?

Happy New Year everyone! Are you excited for the year ahead? For some of us, we may be feeling a little weariness wash over our souls when we think of picking ourselves back up again. To stand at the proverbial starting line … one more time!

At least that has been my experience with my health goals the past few years.

Girl, Fireplace, Guiding Word

If you are like me and feel a little disheartened because you have made resolutions in the past that didn’t turn out like you had hoped, please don’t be discouraged. I am right there with you, girlfriend.

Let’s encourage each other to take a deep breath and position ourselves at the starting line again. I am hugging you in my prayers and cheering you on!

As I sought God’s heart the past few months about what guiding word He would like for me this year, words like “Healthy” and “Stronger” kept crossing my mind. But the word “Blessed” kept dropping down deep into my heart.

So as I write this today, I believe “Blessed” is my word for this year.

God wanted me to step back from self-driving words like ‘fearless’ or ‘intentional’ and posture myself to just receive from Him in 2020. Less of me, more of Jesus.

My focused Bible Verse will be Jeremiah 17:7 which I personalized here:“Blessed is Donna, who trusts in the LORD and has made the LORD her hope and confidence.”

Sweet Sister, what has God been speaking into YOUR heart?

Several friends and I have shared our words and goals with each other, but just as many other ladies aren’t sure just yet what their word will be this year. After much prayer, the Lord helped me to put this post together which I hope will guide and encourage you today.

What will be your Guiding Word for 2020?

1. First and foremost, seek God’s heart in prayer. 

Ask Him for your personal word. Prayerfully consider where He wants you to be by the end of 2020. Don’t come up with a word in your own strength. You will need the Holy Spirit to be the wind beneath your wings in 2020!

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and He will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3 (Verse on Bible Hub)

2. Journal the vision God gives you.

Girl, Fireplace, Guiding Word

I love using those colorful “Gelly Roll Pens.” Have fun getting creative with your journal! I’m in a “Paint, Praise and Prayer” Small Group at Church and we have a blast creating journals (and journal pages) with mod podge, colorful scrapbook paper, acrylic paint, stickers, gel pens, washi tape, you name it!

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets,
so she may run who reads it.” 
Habakkuk 2:2 (Verse on Bible Hub) 

3. Find Scriptures and encouraging quotes.

Write them all down or paste them in your journal. Stick them on your mirror, cabinet or computer. 

“My daughter, keep My Words and store up My commands
within you. Keep My commands and you will live; guard
my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on
your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 7:1-3 NIV (Passage on Bible Gateway)

4. Share your word with a trusted friend.

Verbally grant her/him permission to hold you accountable. To get ‘unstuck’ and move forward, accountability is key for our spiritual growth. It is dangerous and counterproductive to be left alone to our own devices. No more remaining stuck in the pit with ‘me, myself, and I’ in 2020! The Lord created us to thrive in community with other Christians.

As iron sharpens iron so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17

The following are 10 scenarios my girlfriends and I (and maybe you, too?) are finding ourselves in at this moment of time. Along with the goals, you will find a short prayer, list of possible guiding words, and a Bible Verse to encourage you. 


GOAL:

Women, Fireplace, Guiding Word

“I am in a difficult season of waiting …!”

PRAYER:

Lord, this waiting is hard. Make me to lie down and rest in Your “green pastures” and trust that You are working on my behalf even if I can’t see what You’re doing. Remind me not to run ahead of You and set anything in motion that should not be. Draw me closer to You and help me to wait well in this season. I give you permission to do whatever work necessary on my heart as I wait. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

POSSIBLE GUIDING WORDS:

Believe, Bloom, Calm, Contentment, Faith, Flourish, Hope, Patience, Planted, Perseverence, Release, Resilience, Steady, Steadfast, Surrender, Thrive, Trust

BIBLE VERSE:

For I Am about to do something new. See, I have already begun!
Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19 (Verse on Bible Hub)


GOAL:

“I want to cultivate a heart like Jesus …”

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I want my heart to be like Yours. Take away my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh. One that is soft and pliable to You. A teachable heart is a fertile heart. Help me to see others through Your eyes. Help me to hear with your ears and feel with Your heart. Break my heart for You! In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

POSSIBLE GUIDING WORDS:

Becoming, Disciple, Forgiveness, Freedom, Forgiveness, Grace, Generosity, Gentle, Honesty, Humility, Joy, Kindness, Listen, Love, Mercy, Patience, Teachable, Sonship or Daughtership

BIBLE VERSE:

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ
has become a new person. The old life is gone;
a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (Verse on Bible Hub)


GOAL:

Woman, coffee, fireplace, guiding word

“I have a really strong desire to follow God’s calling on my life but I’m afraid to step out of my comfort zone …”

PRAYER:

Lord I am so tired of being afraid. In the Name of Jesus, I denounce the spirit of fear. Help me to make 2020 the year I finally step out of the boat and do the thing You’ve been asking me to do. I want to trust You more and take You at Your Word so I can more quickly step out when You ask me to. Help me to keep my eyes on You and not on the crashing waves. With You, I can walk on water. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

POSSIBLE GUIDING WORDS:

Able, Anointed, Believe, Bold, Brave, Confidence, Courage, Covered, Dream, Empowered, Faith, Fearless, Intentional, Lean, Prayer, Purpose, Rely, Reset, Trustworthy

BIBLE VERSE:

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it
will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20 (Verse on Bible Hub)


GOAL:

“I want to be free of my ‘barely surviving’ mindset …”

PRAYER:

Father God, I have such a rich inheritance in You. Your Word promises me that You will never hold anything good back from me. I declare that I am overflowing with Your blessings, goodness and favor. In You, I have all that I will ever need. I don’t need to live like I’ve been robbed or given the short end of the stick anymore. In Christ, I will more than survive … I will thrive! I denounce the orphan spirit because I am the beloved adopted Daughter of the Most High King. You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

POSSIBLE GUIDING WORDS:

Abundance, Blessed, Capable, Complete, Dream, Endurance, Fruitful, Fullness, Freedom, Hope, Renew, Restored, Fulfilled, Generosity, Potential, Thrive, Trustworthy, Victorious

BIBLE VERSE:

“For I can do everything through
Christ, Who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 (Verse on Bible Hub)


GOAL:

“2019 was painful, filled with loss and devastation. I feel discouraged and tired …”

PRAYER:

Father God, I feel beat up, like I’ve literally been run over by a huge dump truck. I just feel a deep sadness right now. I’m kind of overwhelmed with everything going on and isolated myself and I need help to jump back into life and learn how to embrace my new ‘normal’. Please help me to re-center myself in You and regain my strength again. I need You to fill my cup back up, Lord, because I feel tired and empty. Jesus, replenish my hope and my joy! Revive and restore me to overflowing. In Christ, I will live to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

POSSIBLE GUIDING WORDS:

Abide, Breathe, Blessed, Brave, Build, Cherished, Energized, Freedom, Fresh, Healing, Held, Hope, Jesus, Life, Live, Loved, New, Passion, Prayer, Receive, Refresh, Refreshing, Renew, Restore, Resurect, Revive, Stronger

BIBLE VERSE:

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 (Verse on Bible Hub)


GOAL:

“I need breathing room, God! My life, my brain, my schedule, and my soul feels so cluttered. I crave stillness and quiet …”

PRAYER:

Lord, please help me to create healthy white space (margin) in my life and empower me to resist the urge to fill every free moment with activity. Please give me wisdom to prioritize You first and to balance work, ministry, and time with my family. Help me to be able to speak the word ‘no’ to other people when needed without feeling guilty. Help me to create healthy boundaries in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

POSSIBLE GUIDING WORDS:

Balance, Boundaries, Breathe, Calm, Clarity, Exhale, Margin, Peace, Quiet, Release, Reflection, Refuge, Rest, Sabbath, Simple, Simplicity, Space, Still, Tranquility

BIBLE VERSE:

“Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”Mark 6:31 (Verse on Bible Hub)


GOAL:

“I need to care for my whole self (my spirit, soul and body) …”

PRAYER:

Lord, please help me to be conscious to take good care of my whole person and not let any one area suffer neglect. I need discipline to eat healthy and exercise regularly. Help me to cultivate a deeper prayer life and have quiet time with You. Give me wisdom for what I need to pick up and what I need to lay down. Help me to find balance and take care of me in a healthy, godly way so I can better care for others. Fill me with more of You and heal every broken place within me. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

POSSIBLE GUIDING WORDS:

Balance, Blessed, Boundaries, Breathe, Center, Core, Flourish, Fruitful, Growth, Healed, Healthy, Heart, Nourish, Regenerate, Renew, Reset, Rest, Revive, Stronger, Thrive, Wellness, Wholeness

BIBLE VERSE:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the
Holy Spirit, Who is in you, whom you have received
from God? You are not your own; you were bought at
a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV (Passage on Bible Gateway)


GOAL:

“I want to grow closer to Jesus …”

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I want to be closer to You. Please help me to remove all distractions and focus in on Your beautiful voice and face. You are my audience of One, Lord! May I seek Your nod in my direction more than the approval of other people. You alone are my strength and my song. You are my shield and my exceedingly great reward. In Jesus’ Name I pray this. Amen.

POSSIBLE GUIDING WORDS:

Abide, Adopted, Anchor, Cherished, Commit, Daughter, Deeper, Delight, Discernment, Disciple, Embraced, Grace, Grounded, Heart, Held, Intimacy, Known, Loved, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Presence, Refine, Reverence, Rhythm, Trust, Yield, Word, Worship

BIBLE VERSE:

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash
your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your
loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
James 4:8 (Verse on Bible Hub)


GOAL:

“I want to grow stronger in my faith …”

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, help my faith to grow in You. I want to come to the end of myself this year and shake off any self confidence I may have. I desire to grow in God confidence. Give me a teachable heart and spirit, Lord. In You, ALL things are possible. Help me to look for what You are doing all around me each day. In Jesus’ Name I pray this. Amen.

POSSIBLE GUIDING WORDS:

Accountable, Audacity, Armor, Become, Believe, Bold, Brave, Character, Dedicated, Determined, Disciple, Empowered, Faith, Genuine, Grit, Growth, Integrity, Intentional, Passion, Persevere, Persistence, Prayer, Priorities, Stewardship, Teachable, Thrive, Trustworthy, Vision

BIBLE VERSE:

“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run
and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (Verse on Biblehub)


GOAL:

“I want (and need) healthy godly relationships in my life …”

PRAYER:

Father God, I need wisdom in my relationships. Please help me to be planted in a good Holy Spirit led Church where I can find support and accountability to grow in my faith. I need to learn how to steward well the ‘God appointed’ relationships You bring into my life. Please give me discernment and guidance to build healthy boundaries with people who are filled with anger, bitterness and strife. Thank You Lord. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

POSSIBLE GUIDING WORDS:

Authentic, Available, Boundaries, Bridge, Build, Commitment, Community, Compassion, Connection, Cultivate, Empathy, Faithful, Friendship, Gather, Genuine, Healthy, Honor, Hospitality, Kindness, Love, Nourish, Respect, Sisters, Unity, Wisdom

BIBLE VERSE:

“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.”
Hebrews 10:24 (Verse on Bible Hub)


So my friend, what will be your Word for 2020?

I will be praying over every response we receive. May this year be blessed for you!

Blessings …

What is Your Guiding Word for 2020? @freshgracefortoday.com

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 Related Posts:

Choosing a Guiding Word for 2020 by Fleda Bennie

How to Choose a Word of the Year in 4 Easy Steps  by Miranda Rejoice New


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65 Comments

  1. This is such an applicable method. I love it!

  2. […] If life happens and you can’t go to the women’s bible study at church for a few weeks, just ask for prayer, leave it in God’s hands, and go back as soon as you can. To help you reach your spiritual goals pick one word and let this be your guiding word for 2020. […]

    1. Thank you Angie Cleary for sharing my post. I appreciate you so much … ❤

  3. Such a great list of suggestions, peace is mine but I usually end up with more than one.

    1. Thank you for stopping by Rebecca! I love your word Peace! His peace has been such a blessing in my life, one of the reasons I feel so blessed … ❤

  4. […] be great this year.  No, dear one, “don’t come up with a word in your own strength” (Donna from Fresh Grace for Today).  Rather, look for how God wants to transform you and those around you into His likeness.  Make […]

    1. Jessica thank you so much for sharing my post. Means alot to me. Thank you for your encouragement … ❤

  5. This is an amazing post Donna. I have thought all week what my one word will be for 2020. I have so many it’s hard to choose/ However, I narrowed it down integrity. I want ALL I say and do for God to show integrity behind every choice, post, accountability and keep a high standard strong moral principles and moral uprightness. Many areas have convicted lately that I need to follow God’s will about. Beautiful post my sweet friend.

    1. You are definitely walking in integrity Angie! Your example helps me to come up higher in maintaining my integrity and character in what I post and share. We are here to please God and not people. Love you sweet friend … ❤

  6. I will be focusing on the word, Delight, this year. I get so focused and serious on all my lists, I forget to enjoy the process, including raising my kids!

    1. Brynn, I love your word Delight! That was my word in 2018 and it helped me to slow down and linger in His presence. Pretty much ‘enjoy the process’ as you said. Praying for you to have a wonderful year delighting in our Jesus and enjoying your children! Jesus definitely delights in you … ❤

  7. I pinned this post twice it’s so good. You might want to think about putting that into a printable guide or video course. You put so much work into this. I decided not to use a guiding word this year but focus on my core values instead – but it’s still a good idea.

    1. Thank you Rose for your encouragement. I’ve done printables but never thought of doing a video course. ❤

  8. What a great post! Lots of heart and work went into this, I can tell. Blessings on your BLESSED year!

    1. Thank you so much Patty. I appreciate you … ❤

  9. This is amazing! You have truly laid a map out for sisters in Christ. This exemplifies how much your heart is for them. I loved this whole post but the part you gave me chills is when yiu wrote: posture myself to recieve Him in 2020! Wow, I recieve that Word!

    1. Thank you for your kind words Carmen … ❤

  10. Blessed is a beautiful word! My guiding word for 2020 is thrive.

    1. I love your word. Praying for you right now … ❤

  11. This is my first year using a guiding word! My word of 2020 is “intention”. God sent it to me after one feeble prayer in the height of the Christmas season. I have found it to be incredibly uplifting as I struggle with “life”- blog, home renovations, family, etc. I love your word, of course! I even made some new phone wallpaper with the Numbers verse on it! Great minds think alike?? 🙂
    Thanks for a great post!

    1. Lol. I love this verse, and your word! Thank you AnnMarie … ❤❤❤

  12. Wonderful post and I thought your examples were such a great idea. If you’ve never done this before, it is great to have some guidelines like this. As you know, I am a great believer in the idea of having a Guiding Word for each year. Love your posts and appreciate your insight.

    1. Thank you Fleda! I’ve been thinking alot about the word you use … ‘flourishing’. Ever since I heard you explain what it meant the other day, it has been on my mind. Because that’s exactly what I hope to be as His Daughter … ❤

  13. Oh, Donna, I am excited you asked. I struggled this year coming up with mine because I didn’t like it. I knew the concept was to be synergy, but that was such an old buzzword and overused that it gave me the creeps. So I kept digging. My husband suggested having a phrase vs a word. A word years ago was “Whole”, so having a growth from it seemed natural. Because synergy is the Whole working together to produce greater than individual parts. Scriptures started coming to me around that concept. “Whole to live maximum potential” is my working-phrase right now. My devos each morning are finding scriptures that speak to that. I have a few pages so far. 🙂

    1. Whole to live maximum potential. I love that Sheri! I remember them using the word synergy at work alot. Praying for you … ❤

  14. My word for the year is “Humility” from Philippians 2:1-18. May the Lord grant me a heart of humility like Jesus!

    1. Thank you Jessica! ❤ Humility is one of my most favorite words, it is so beautiful. And when we flow in it, we feel such a sense of peace. Praying you on my friend!

  15. Thank you so much for this inspecting post on choosing a guiding word. I am going to choose fulfilled or restored.

    1. Thank you Haley. Praying for you Sweet Sister … ❤

  16. My word for 2020 is acceleration. I am believing God to accelerate the manifestation of the desires He has given me in this year.

    1. Wow Brandi! Well I am praying right now for you to receive ALL that God has for you in 2020! ❤

  17. I love how you have the list of scriptures and the corresponding words.

    1. EJ thank you so much!! Praying for you … 😘😘😘

  18. Donna this is amazing! What a wonderfully put together guide to be saved and referred back to year to year. It’s crazy when I sat down to choose my word for 2020 I was struggling. I struggled a week or so before I realized I didn’t even bring it to God to seek his guidance. As soon as I did he brought out loud and clear the word FREEDOM. He is freedom. The rest can fall away. I am completely free in Him. Thank you for this guide. I’ll be using it for years to come!

    1. Stacey you are so sweet! Thank you so much! And I love your word FREEDOM!! Praying you on sweet Sister … 😘😘😘

  19. I love your word Blessed. I haven’t chosen a word yet this year. Nor have I set any specific resolutions. I have some plans for this year, but I haven’t put a word to it, or heard God assign the word, yet.

    1. Carrie, praying for you to have a remarkable year in 2020. Blessings Sweet Sister! ❤

  20. Probably one of the best posts I’ve seen yet regarding choosing a word for the year! I love how you included some goal options with a corresponding word! Great post!!

    1. Thank you SO much for your kind words and your encouragement Megan! Means so much to me. Praying for you … ❤

  21. This is so powerful and inspirational! “Blessed” seems like such a comforting and peace giving word for the year. Last year my word was “surrender“. And it was inspired by that same verse in Numbers! I wanted to be intentionally surrendered to God so I could be in the heart posture I needed to be in order to receive the blessings God wanted to give me. God used it to show me how to be still and watch for for the blessings he was providing. I know this is going to be such an encouraging year for you when you’re focused in a similar way. Lots of love and light to you, sweet sister!

    1. Yes! I am going into this year hoping to be still and surrendered so I can be more sensitive to the moving of His Spirit. I am speaking victory now that I will be able to receive all God has for me this year and am so looking forward to it. Thank you sweet Rachel! Praying for you always … ❤

  22. I am focusing on Refine this year. The Lord aligned all areas of my life under Him in 2019, and in 2020 we’re going to be refining those areas.

    1. That’s a word I never really heard anyone select but one that is definitely needed! Reminds me of the Refiner’s fire. Love it! Thank you Chrissie! God is doing great things through you and your art ministry. Blessings …

  23. I just want to abide in Christ this year, to rest in His presence.

    1. Yes … praying this for all of us! Thank you Susan … ❤

  24. Great post! My word last year was Rest. This year it’s Believe. I’m believing God will show me great and mighty things. Jeremiah 33:3 is my verse.

    1. I love this Deborah! Praying Jeremiah 33:3 over you right now … “Ask Me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Praying for you … ❤

  25. Loved how you broke this post down into really applicable goals/categories and provided prayers/scripture for each! This is so helpful! My word this year is “healthy”. It has felt like kind of a strange one but it felt like God very clearly spoke this to me- health for me (whole self), health for my family, health in relationships, etc. I was so excited to find it on here today!

    1. Yes! Health for your whole self … spirit soul and body. And health for your family and relationships. Blessings Katie … praying for you right now. ❤

  26. Great post, Donna! The way you divided it into sections with examples of words is awesome! I love your bible verse for 2020. ❤
    My word for 2020 is brave.

    1. I love how you selected that verse for your first FB Post too! ❤ God is so good to us … always! And I love your word Susan! Praying for you right now …

  27. Great posts–very practical and helpful. The Lord set “take courage” on my heart this year. Sounds like it’s “go time.” Blessing!

    1. Lol yes it sure does sound like a go. Praying for you … be blessed Kristi! ❤

  28. We just went through this process ourselves my word is confidence. I love the examples you gave to help others. Stopping by from By HIs Grace Bloggers.

    1. Timberly, praying for you and your word confidence. Hope you will have a blessed year leaing into the Lord’s strength … ❤

  29. I have more than one but the one relating to my ministry and blog is friendship xxx

    1. Love friendship. Praying for you and your ministry right now … ❤

  30. What a wonderful post! I love the prayers and plan to refer to this often. I haven’t picked my word yet but will.

    1. Praying for you Julie. Hope you have a very blessed 2020 … ❤

  31. I love this! I was just talking to a few girls in my Bible Study group about their word for the year and why it resonates with them. Mine is gratitude!

    1. I had thought about the word gratitude. That is definitely something the Lord wants me to focus on! Thank you Ayanna! Praying for you … ❤

  32. This is such a great blog. Thank you for breaking down the goals and possible words of the year into such clear and concise categories. I know this will help the readers to not only find a word for their year, but to also do some soul searching and seeking the Lord as they start off 2020.

    1. Thank you Dawn! You are one of the most encouraging friends I know. Praying for you always … ❤

  33. Donna, I am going to have to pray about what word God would want me to have this year. Thank you for this excellent article.. God is so true to his word if we would just lean on Him.

    1. Thank you Ms. Vickie. Love you and holding you close in my prayers … ❤

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Donna

Donna loves God's Word and is passionate to see women fall in love with Jesus. She and hubby live on the Emerald Coast where she loves serving with the Intercessory Prayer Team at their home church and volunteering with the Bible Study Companion Team at Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies. She likes spending time with friends & family, hiking, painting, swimming and taking long walks on the beach at sunrise. "She is blessed who believed the Lord will keep His promises to her." Luke 1:45 ❤

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