5 Biblical Ways to Finish the Year Strong: Christian Counselor Help

As the year ends, many of us find ourselves contemplating what we’ve done this year, accomplishments, challenges we have experienced, and especially spiritual growth. For Christians, it’s a great opportunity to assess our journey with God and seek His guidance for the months ahead. With the help of prayer, a Christian counselor, and biblical truths, you can finish the year on a strong and positive note and start the next one full of hope. 

This blog will explore five biblical ways to finish the year strong, focusing on prayer guidance, steps to stay rooted in faith, and the benefits of remaining strong in the Lord. 

Reflect and Give Thanks

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

One of the simplest yet most overpowering ways to finish the year strong is by looking back on God’s goodness and giving thanks for His faithfulness, and everything He has done. Even if the year was hard, and full of challenges, there are always things to be grateful for. The blessings answered prayers, and lessons that God has given that can fill our hearts with gratitude. 

How to Reflect Biblically?

Journal Your Blessings: Make a list of things that you’re thankful for, like blessings, people around you, answered prayer, and the moment when you feel God’s presence. In this way, you can reflect the goodness of the Lord and give thanks to Him always.

Pray with Gratitude: Start and end your day by praying for the specific things you’re thankful for. This will fill you with gratitude and remind you that God is always there.

Seek a Christian Counselor’s Help: A Christian counselor can help you see and feel the things that God has done for you, even through your challenges or darkest moments.

Through reflection, there is gratitude that transfers your focus from what’s lacking to being thankful for what God has given you, encouraging a spirit of joy and hope.

Spend More Time with Prayer

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2

Prayer is one of the most important ways to stay connected and find peace with God. It is a chance to seek guidance and bring your burdens, plans, and goals to God. You can ask for His wisdom and strength.

Ways to pray more:

Set a Time: Choose a quiet time, like before sleeping, where you can pray and talk to God.

Be Specific in your Prayer: Tell the Lord everything. Your needs, dreams, and when you need help. God is always with you listening to your prayers.

Pray with Someone: Praying with someone can also help you stay comfortable while praying. You can pray with someone who can bring you closer to God, a family member, a friend, or even a Christian life coach that you can seek advice from.

Prayer can bring you closer to God. Prayer can provide peace in your heart, lifting the burdens that you’ve been carrying. Lastly, prayer gives you strength and courage to face challenges in your life, because, through prayer, you know that God is always listening to you.

Finish Strong by Following God’s Word

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22

The best way to end the year is to realign your relationship with God. Just hearing or reading the bible is not enough, you need to live by what it teaches. The Bible is full of wisdom that can help you finish the year strong and prepare.

How to Follow God’s Word:

Read the Bible: Read the bible, a few minutes every day is enough. Reading the bible can make a huge difference in your faith.

Apply What You Read: If the bible teaches forgiveness, kindness, trust, or love, follow it wholeheartedly, and live it out with no burden in your heart. 

Ask for Help: A mentor,  friend, pastor, or even a Christian counselor can guide you and help you to stay on track. 

Just by following God’s word, you can walk with obedience to God that can bring peace, assurance, and purpose, to your life.

Forgive and Let go of Past Hurts

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” – Isaiah 43:18-19

The end of the year is the perfect time to release your burdens, grudges, regrets, or unresolved issues that are weighing your heart. Forgiving others, and even yourself frees you from the weight of the past and opens the door to more blessings. Set yourself free and embrace the future that God has for you.

How to Forgive and Let Go:

Pray For a Forgiving Heart: Ask God to help you release the anger and bitterness. Pray for peace in your heart.

Reach Out: If possible, reach out and talk to those you’ve had conflicts with. Open up and offer peace.

Talk to a counselor: A counselor can help, and guide you on how to release and work through tough feelings, and find healing. 

Forgiving yourself and others can bring you emotional healing and will prepare you and your heart to receive God’s blessing and move forward in the New Year. 

Set God-Centered Goals for the New Year

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3

As you think about how you can end the year positively, take time to set goals that honor the Lord. Instead of focusing only on personal goals and achievements, think about how you can grow in your faith and serve others who can please God.

How to Set God-centered Goals:

Pray Before Planning: Before setting your goals, pray to God and ask Him to show His plan for your life. Seek God’s wisdom for your priorities.

Write Them Down: 

Create a list of goals that you want to achieve, which include spiritual growth, family time, strengthening your prayer life, and serving in your church.

Get Guidance:

Get guidance from a Christian life coach who can help you stay organized and focused on achieving your goal.

When your goals align with God’s purpose, you’ll find greater joy and clarity in what plan he has for you. 

Why Finishing Strong Matters

Ending the year strong doesn't mean being perfect. It’s all about honoring the Lord and how you live. When you finish strong in your faith, your new year will be filled with purpose, love, and joy. Through him, you gain strength, hope, and clarity, for the year ahead.

Conclusion: How to Finish Strong as a Christian

Finishing the year doesn’t have to be perfect, rather it requires being dependent on God. By reflecting on his goodness, the things that he has done for you, seeking guidance, following biblical truths, forgiving the past, and setting God-centered goals, you can end the year positively and start the next one full of faith, joy, confidence, and purpose. 

Remember, that the true strength comes from trusting the Lord. As Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

Take this opportunity to end the year positively, growing your faith in God and preparing what God has in store for you.