‘When we’re feeling blue, or just frustrated at not keeping our new year goals; it’s important to remember that God loves us no matter what. But it’s especially powerful when we feel alone, overwhelmed or daunted by difficult or challenging circumstances,’ says Alex Noel.
The beginning of the year is typically billed as a time for resolutions, planning, and self-improvement, as we aim to fulfil those hopes and dreams that a fresh start brings. With a whole new year stretched out in front of us, we can finally turn the page on the last one, putting to bed any failures, embarrassments and disappointments. ‘This year is going to be different’, we tell ourselves.
But there’s one major obstacle to overcome first - the month of January.
But there’s one major obstacle to overcome first - the month of January. In the UK it’s notorious for feeling bleak and depressing; defined mainly by what it isn’t. The jollity of Christmastime is over and gone; and we’re left to take down the decorations, eat up the remaining leftovers and lament a pressing need to offset our festive indulgences by giving up the things we love, and doing the things we hate. For a while at least.
READ MORE: How can Christians navigate ‘Blue Monday’?
So how do we avoid falling at the first hurdle? As ‘Blue Monday’ (apparently the most depressing day of the year) arrives on 20th January, here’s some advice from the Psalms to beat the blues and find joy in January.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
However well (or badly) the new year might have started, gratitude is an essential ingredient for cultivating and maintaining a sense of joy. By taking some time each day to be grateful, and thanking God - even for the small things; a morning cuppa, a glimpse of sun, or just another day; we can begin to change our thoughts from negative to positive. There is even evidence that gratitude can rewire the brain, reinforcing positive neural pathways to give us a more joyful outlook in general. Zoe Bishop, a ‘professional encourager’ recommends practising gratitude on a daily basis as soon as you wake up, in order to get your day off to the best possible start.
“You have turned my mourning into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy”. Psalm 30:11
High expectations for those ‘new year, new you’ exercise regimes or trips to the gym can soon flounder.
High expectations for those ‘new year, new you’ exercise regimes or trips to the gym can soon flounder. But moving our bodies regularly just through stretching or walking; or dancing to a favourite tune, can set us up to feel better about ourselves and whichever problems we might be facing. Film director Ken Loach puts it like this: “Go and have a dance and you’ll feel stronger and ready to tackle your situation”.
READ MORE: Let God help you redefine ‘Blue Monday’
It’s a principle found in the Bible too and often accompanies times of worship. Dancing or moving our bodies - especially when we’re feeling down can help us to ‘shake it off’, significantly improving our mood to the point of joyfulness. We might even feel inspired by King David himself to throw caution to wind and worship God at the same time.
“I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.” Psalm 31:7
When we’re feeling blue, or just frustrated at not keeping our new year goals; it’s important to remember that God loves us no matter what. But it’s especially powerful when we feel alone, overwhelmed or daunted by difficult or challenging circumstances. Being conscious that God is with us and understands our human experience gives us confidence that when things get tough we can trust him to protect us and provide for us. We can celebrate instead. And rather than feeling driven to constantly secure his approval (or anyone else’s for that matter) it reassures us of his loving acceptance and care. Not only that, God is love and as theologian John Piper explained: “…God is Love, means most deeply, God is Joy in God.” In God we find joy itself.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence”. Psalm 16:11
If we’re struggling to make decisions and find the best way forward in 2025; spending time with God is guaranteed to help. Reading the Bible, praying, asking him to speak to us, or getting out into nature and listening for his voice, all enable us to connect with him and find a greater sense of clarity. It may be accompanied by a sense of peace that he’ll work everything out, or some specific guidance.
READ MORE: Investing in your self-esteem isn’t selfish, it’s biblical
Either way we can be assured that he won’t hide his purposes from us, and that we’ll find joy by just being in his presence. As the much-quoted poem by Minnie Louise Haskins says: “And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied: ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.’”
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