New Year Blues
For many, the arrival of a new year symbolizes joy and fresh starts. However, for some, the transition into the new year doesn’t bring excitement—rather, it can feel quite the opposite. But why is that? If you’re feeling anxious, sad, or even depressed during this New Year season, here are three reasons you might be experiencing the “New Year Blues.”
1. No Faith, No Hope
Life is full of ups and downs, but some of us face more challenges than others. We at Love Yours Academy understand how gruesome suffering can be, especially when it prolongs for years. Some of you may be experiencing illnesses, spiritual warfare, financial struggles, or a series of difficult challenges resulting in the New Year Blues.
When we endure seasons of adversity year in and year out, it is hard to be excited about the new year. It is also difficult to hold on to faith and hope.
Without faith and hope, you lose your expectations and may begin to believe there is not a brighter side to your pain. You are not wrong for feeling this way, especially if you have endured disappointment after disappointment, but don’t give up. Your harvest is on the other side.
Here are a few things you can do with the Holy Spirit if this resonates with you:
Submit Your Pain to the Lord
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15 NKJV
When Jesus came to earth, He experienced life as a human. He knows what it feels like to be betrayed, angry, and sad, and most relevant, He knows what it is like to want to give up.
Cast your burdens to Him because He cares and sympathizes with you. Share exactly how you feel, even if you are upset with Him. God knows and understands the difficulties we face. He only wants us to open up to Him so He can make things better.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
I Peter 5: 6-7
Ask For God’s Perspective
When we humble ourselves and cry out to the Lord, we can then ask Him for His perspective. Understanding God’s view can reveal how your circumstances are working for your good. It can also give you confidence in knowing He is in control. When seeking God’s perspective, He may also show you a way out of your situation and into something better.
Do not be afraid or too angry to cast your burdens on the Lord and learn His view. He cares for you.
Ask God to Renew or Restore Your Faith and Hope
Without faith, we cannot please God, but as mentioned, when we experience disappointment, our faith can decrease. This is an amazing opportunity to ask God to renew and strengthen your faith in Him. You can also ask Him to help you place your hope (confidence) in Him. Having strong faith and hope in God will help you as you continue your journey.
Do not give up. Your harvest is on the way.
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Do Something Different
Sometimes, we enter a new season the same way we left the old. In doing so, we experience the same outcomes and environments, but God wants to make a change.
What has God been encouraging you to do? Maybe He wants you to trust Him and go back to school or seek a better job. Perhaps He wants you to focus on healing or forgiving yourself so that He can clear a path for you to reach your dreams. Seek the Lord, and whatever He lays on your heart, do it! Your latter years will be greater, and the Lord will restore you.
25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.”
Joel 2:25 NKJV
2. No Goals
Another reason some do not look forward to the new year is because they do not have goals. What goals has God placed on your heart? Now is a great time to write them down and pray to the Holy Spirit about them. Delight yourself in the Lord and express how you feel about your aspirations. Think of it as telling your Best Friend about your dreams. God cares. He wants to know what you think and feel about the God-given desires He has placed inside you.
Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NKJV
3. Goals Without a Plan
Some of us have goals but do not have a plan to reach them. Without a plan, we are unlikely to achieve what we desire, leading to disappointment. Proverbs 16:9 says,
9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Setting and accomplishing goals is a team effort. You must partner with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to direct you on your journey. The Lord loves being a part of our lives and wants us to obtain the things we desire. We just have to allow Him to do His part.
2025 is going to be a fantastic year for you, and we are excited! But you have to believe and speak great things over your life. This does not mean 2025 will be without obstacles, but you have access to the joy of the Lord that will create a different atmosphere for you, leading you out of the New Year Blues.
We are so excited to go on this journey with you and share more truth about God to help you build your relationship. Subscribe below and check out our workbooks that will help you create a better year. Have a Happy New Year Everyone!