Scripture Focus (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5–6
Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
Devotional
Resilient Woman,
today’s Scripture meets us in a place most people don’t like to talk about—the space between promise and proof.
today’s Scripture meets us in a place most people don’t like to talk about—the space between promise and proof.
Proverbs 3:5–6 does not tell us when God will make the path straight.
It does not tell us how.
It does not tell us what the road will look like while we’re walking it.
It does not tell us how.
It does not tell us what the road will look like while we’re walking it.
It only gives us one instruction… and one promise.
Trust God.
And He will make the path straight.
And He will make the path straight.
That’s uncomfortable—especially at the beginning of a new year.
Because many of us stepped into 2026 without clarity.
Without answers.
Without everything lining up the way we hoped.
Without answers.
Without everything lining up the way we hoped.
Some of us stepped into this year carrying loss.
Some of us stepped in after disappointment, relapse cycles, financial strain, broken relationships, unanswered prayers, or plans that didn’t work out the way we believed they would.
Some of us stepped in after disappointment, relapse cycles, financial strain, broken relationships, unanswered prayers, or plans that didn’t work out the way we believed they would.
And yet here comes God—not offering a detailed explanation—but asking for something deeper:
Trust Me. With all your heart.
What This Scripture Is Really Saying
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart” does not mean blind optimism.
It does not mean ignoring pain.
It does not mean pretending everything is okay.
It does not mean ignoring pain.
It does not mean pretending everything is okay.
It means choosing God as your anchor when understanding fails you.
Because let’s be honest—there are seasons where:
- logic won’t comfort you
- understanding won’t heal you
- answers won’t come
- and clarity feels delayed
This is where New Year, Same God becomes real.
Trusting God with all your heart means:
- trusting Him when you are down to nothing
- trusting Him when hope feels thin
- trusting Him when the future feels uncertain
- trusting Him when you don’t recognize your own life anymore
It means saying:
“God, I don’t understand this—but I still choose You.”
“God, I don’t understand this—but I still choose You.”
Lean Not on Your Own Understanding
This part of the scripture is hard—especially for strong women.
Because many of us learned to survive by understanding everything, controlling what we could, staying alert, staying guarded, staying prepared.
But Proverbs is telling us something countercultural:
Your understanding is not your savior.
Your plans didn’t save you last year.
Your strength didn’t carry you through your darkest nights.
Your logic didn’t heal what broke you.
Your strength didn’t carry you through your darkest nights.
Your logic didn’t heal what broke you.
God did.
Leaning on your own understanding will always keep you anxious—because you were never meant to carry the weight of certainty.
He Will Make Your Paths Straight
Notice what God promises—and what He does not promise.
He does not promise ease.
He does not promise speed.
He does not promise explanation.
He does not promise speed.
He does not promise explanation.
He promises direction.
A straight path does not mean a painless path.
It means a guided one.
It means a guided one.
It means even when the road feels unfamiliar, crooked, or delayed—God is still ordering your steps.
And for the woman of Becoming Her, this matters deeply.
Because becoming is uncomfortable. Growth is unclear. Transformation is rarely linear.
Because becoming is uncomfortable. Growth is unclear. Transformation is rarely linear.
For the woman of Encouraging Her Resilience, this truth is life-giving.
Because recovery, healing, and rebuilding require trusting God one step at a time—even when you can’t see past today.
Because recovery, healing, and rebuilding require trusting God one step at a time—even when you can’t see past today.
Why This Matters in January
A fresh start does not mean clarity comes immediately.
It means obedience begins immediately.
It means obedience begins immediately.
New Year, Same God means:
- You don’t need to see the whole path to take the next step.
- You don’t need all the answers to trust the One who does.
- You don’t need certainty to be covered.
This year will not be built on understanding.
It will be built on trust.
It will be built on trust.
Mini Lesson: What Trusting God Really Looks Like
Trusting God looks like:
- praying even when you feel discouraged
- obeying even when it doesn’t make sense
- resting when your instinct is to worry
- choosing faith when fear feels louder
- continuing forward when hope feels fragile
Trust is not passive.
Trust is active surrender.
Trust is active surrender.
Reflection Questions (Sit With These Honestly)
- Where am I struggling to trust God because I want answers first?
- What part of my life feels uncertain right now?
- How would my peace change if I trusted God one step at a time instead of all at once?
- What does “trusting God with all my heart” look like for me today—not ideally, but realistically?
Declaration (Speak This Aloud)
I trust the Lord with all my heart.
I release my need to understand everything.
I submit my ways to God.
And I believe He is making my path straight—
even when I cannot see it yet.
I release my need to understand everything.
I submit my ways to God.
And I believe He is making my path straight—
even when I cannot see it yet.
This is my fresh start.
Same God.
New trust.
Same God.
New trust.
Day 4 Devotional — Stop Auditioning for Love
New Year, Same God — This Is My Fresh Start
Scripture Focus (NLT): Romans 8:1
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Beautiful woman… stop right here for a moment.
Because a lot of women enter a new year acting strong on the outside, but carrying a quiet fear on the inside—fear that you’ll mess up again, fear that you’ll fall short, fear that this “fresh start” won’t last. And if we’re honest, that fear doesn’t just sit in your chest… it starts talking to your mind.
It sounds like:
“Don’t fail this time.”
“Don’t disappoint anyone.”
“Don’t let them see you struggle.”
“Work harder so you can finally feel worthy.”
“Don’t fail this time.”
“Don’t disappoint anyone.”
“Don’t let them see you struggle.”
“Work harder so you can finally feel worthy.”
And before you even realize it, you wake up performing.
Not for God—for people.
For approval. For acceptance. For validation. For reassurance.
For the feeling that you matter.
For approval. For acceptance. For validation. For reassurance.
For the feeling that you matter.
I lived like that.
I didn’t call it auditioning for love back then, but that’s exactly what it was—living like love had to be earned. Like I had to stay impressive to stay accepted. Like I had to be “good enough” to be kept.
What “auditioning for love” really is
Auditioning for love is when your life becomes a stage.
You smile when you’re breaking.
You say yes when you need boundaries.
You over-explain because you’re terrified of being misunderstood.
You over-give because you’re afraid someone will leave.
You keep the peace at your own expense.
You shrink your needs so you don’t feel like a burden.
You carry everybody else… and call it love.
You say yes when you need boundaries.
You over-explain because you’re terrified of being misunderstood.
You over-give because you’re afraid someone will leave.
You keep the peace at your own expense.
You shrink your needs so you don’t feel like a burden.
You carry everybody else… and call it love.
And the hardest part is this: you can be surrounded by people and still feel empty—because you’re not being loved for who you are, you’re being “accepted” for who you can be for them.
That kind of living will drain you, because it’s not identity—it’s survival.
Performing for love is exhausting… because it never fills you.
You can get applause and still feel empty.
You can be “liked” and still feel unloved.
You can be needed and still feel unseen.
You can get applause and still feel empty.
You can be “liked” and still feel unloved.
You can be needed and still feel unseen.
I was people-pleasing, but I wasn’t at peace.
I was chasing acceptance, but I wasn’t anchored.
I was worried about what people thought of me, but I wasn’t surrendered to what God said about me.
I was chasing acceptance, but I wasn’t anchored.
I was worried about what people thought of me, but I wasn’t surrendered to what God said about me.
And that’s why Romans 8:1 hit me like a spiritual wake-up call:
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1 is not comfort—it’s a spiritual verdict
This scripture is not soft. It’s not cute. It’s not just for a bad day.
It is a verdict—a heaven-issued ruling over your life.
It is God shutting down the courtroom in your mind.
It is God shutting down the courtroom in your mind.
Because condemnation is not the Holy Spirit.
Conviction draws you close.
Condemnation drives you away.
Condemnation drives you away.
Conviction says, “Come to God and be healed.”
Condemnation says, “Hide from God because you’re not worthy.”
Condemnation says, “Hide from God because you’re not worthy.”
Condemnation keeps you on trial:
- It drags your past back into your present.
- It replays your failures like they’re your identity.
- It tells you you’re disqualified.
- It whispers that God is tired of you.
And if you listen long enough, condemnation doesn’t just make you feel bad—it starts shaping your choices.
Condemnation makes you hide instead of heal.
It makes you isolate instead of reach out.
It makes you punish yourself instead of repent.
It makes you relapse emotionally because you believe growth isn’t possible for you.
It makes you isolate instead of reach out.
It makes you punish yourself instead of repent.
It makes you relapse emotionally because you believe growth isn’t possible for you.
But Romans 8:1 confronts that lie with truth:
If you belong to Christ, condemnation has no authority over you.
Not because you’ve been perfect.
Not because you never struggled.
Not because you had a flawless year.
But because Jesus already settled the case.
Not because you never struggled.
Not because you had a flawless year.
But because Jesus already settled the case.
“Belonging” is the end of the audition
God is not asking you to audition in His presence.
He is saying:
“You don’t have to perform to be chosen.”
“You don’t have to prove you deserve a fresh start.”
“You don’t have to earn what My Son already paid for.”
“You belong.”
“You don’t have to perform to be chosen.”
“You don’t have to prove you deserve a fresh start.”
“You don’t have to earn what My Son already paid for.”
“You belong.”
And belonging changes everything.
Because when you know you belong:
- you stop striving,
- you stop begging for validation,
- you stop building your life on people’s opinions,
- you stop trying to earn what Jesus already paid for.
New Year, Same God — this is your fresh start
This is what I need you to understand about New Year, Same God:
Your fresh start is not you trying harder.
Your fresh start is you standing on what’s already true.
Your fresh start is you standing on what’s already true.
And what’s already true is this:
- You don’t have to perform for God’s love—you receive it.
- You don’t have to audition for grace—you live from it.
- You don’t have to earn belonging—you accept it.
People will change.
Opinions will change.
Seasons will change.
Opinions will change.
Seasons will change.
But God does not change.
And His love is not based on your performance—it’s based on His nature.
And His love is not based on your performance—it’s based on His nature.
So this year, my fresh start looks like this:
I am not performing for people.
I am not chasing validation.
I am not living for applause.
I am not building my identity on opinions.
I’m choosing God—because His love is steady, even when my emotions aren’t.
I am not chasing validation.
I am not living for applause.
I am not building my identity on opinions.
I’m choosing God—because His love is steady, even when my emotions aren’t.
And I need you to hear me clearly:
You are not the sum of your mistakes.
You are not disqualified because you struggled.
You are not rejected because you’re healing slowly.
If you belong to Jesus—you are not condemned.
You are not disqualified because you struggled.
You are not rejected because you’re healing slowly.
If you belong to Jesus—you are not condemned.
So today… stop auditioning.
Stop proving.
Stop begging to be chosen.
Stop shrinking to be accepted.
Stop performing just to feel something inside.
Stop proving.
Stop begging to be chosen.
Stop shrinking to be accepted.
Stop performing just to feel something inside.
Let this be the year you finally breathe in God’s love and stop living like you’re on trial.
You are not on trial.
You are in recovery.
You are in transformation.
You are in becoming.
You are in recovery.
You are in transformation.
You are in becoming.
And God is not condemning you—He is calling you closer.
Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I repent for the ways I have performed for people while neglecting Your presence. Heal the places in me that fear rejection. Break the spirit of condemnation and shame that has kept me striving instead of resting in Your love. Thank You that I belong to Christ, and because I belong, I am free. Teach me how to live from acceptance, not for acceptance. This year, let my fresh start be rooted in You—New Year, Same God. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Declaration
I belong to Jesus.
I am not condemned.
I don’t audition for love—because I am already chosen.
New year, same God… and this is my fresh start.
I am not condemned.
I don’t audition for love—because I am already chosen.
New year, same God… and this is my fresh start.
—Dashonia Marie
Day 2 — January 2, 2025
New Year, Same God — He Never Changed on You
Scripture Focus (NLT)
Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Devotional
Beautiful woman, let me ask you something real today.
How much has your life changed?
Your seasons.
Your relationships.
Your emotions.
Your faith walk.
Your level of consistency.
Your understanding of God.
Your relationships.
Your emotions.
Your faith walk.
Your level of consistency.
Your understanding of God.
Some of you stepped into this year carrying wounds from last year. Some of you are still trying to find your footing after loss, disappointment, relapse cycles, burnout, unanswered prayers, or moments where your faith felt thinner than you’d like to admit.
And right here—right here—this scripture meets you.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
That means while you were changing…
While your emotions were up and down…
While your devotion felt strong one month and silent the next…
While your life shifted in ways you never planned…
While your emotions were up and down…
While your devotion felt strong one month and silent the next…
While your life shifted in ways you never planned…
Jesus never moved.
Jesus never withdrew.
Jesus never changed His posture toward you.
Jesus never withdrew.
Jesus never changed His posture toward you.
You may have changed how often you prayed.
You may have changed how closely you followed.
You may have changed how deeply you trusted.
You may have changed how closely you followed.
You may have changed how deeply you trusted.
But He did not change His love.
He did not change His mercy.
He did not change His faithfulness.
He did not change His mercy.
He did not change His faithfulness.
This is the foundation of New Year, Same God.
Not because we stayed the same—but because He did.
What This Scripture Is Really Teaching Us
Hebrews 13:8 is not a comforting quote—it is a spiritual anchor.
It tells us:
The Jesus who carried you through your worst season is the same Jesus standing with you today.
The grace that covered you when you were inconsistent is the same grace available now.
The mercy that met you when you felt far is still reaching for you as you draw near.
Your season changing does not mean God changed.
Your struggles did not weaken His power.
Your failures did not alter His commitment.
Your struggles did not weaken His power.
Your failures did not alter His commitment.
If Jesus was faithful then, He is faithful now.
If Jesus sustained you before, He will sustain you again.
If Jesus sustained you before, He will sustain you again.
This is why your fresh start does not require fear—it requires trust.
Application: Living This Out Daily
So how do we apply “Same God” to everyday life?
It looks like this:
When your emotions shift → you anchor in His unchanging truth.
When your motivation fluctuates → you lean on His consistency, not yours.
When your faith feels quiet → you trust that His presence is still loud.
When shame tries to remind you of who you were → you remember who He has always been.
You stop measuring God by how you feel…
And you start resting in who He is.
And you start resting in who He is.
Mini Lesson: Fresh Starts Don’t Depend on Feelings
Here’s the truth we don’t say enough:
Your fresh start is not powered by how strong you feel—it’s powered by how faithful God is.
Consistency in your walk begins when you stop expecting yourself to be unchanging…
And start trusting the One who already is.
And start trusting the One who already is.
Jesus being the same means:
You can return without fear.
You can rebuild without shame.
You can start again without punishment.
This year, we’re not chasing perfection.
We’re building relationship with a God who never left.
We’re building relationship with a God who never left.
Reflection Questions (Sit With These)
Where have I mistaken my changing emotions for God changing toward me?
What season from last year proves that God remained faithful even when I struggled?
How would my daily walk look if I truly trusted that Jesus has not changed on me?
Declaration
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
I am not abandoned.
I am not behind.
I am not disqualified.
I am walking into this year anchored in a faithful God.
I am not abandoned.
I am not behind.
I am not disqualified.
I am walking into this year anchored in a faithful God.
As we prepare to close the door on 2025 and stand on the edge of a new year, my heart is heavy with gratitude—and honesty.
Before we rush into countdowns, vision boards, and declarations, I want to pause and thank you.
To every woman who showed up.
To every woman who prayed.
To every woman who stayed connected to Encouraging Her Resilience and Becoming Her, even when things were imperfect.
Thank you for walking this year with me.
2025 stretched me in ways I didn’t expect.
My faith was tested.
My patience was refined.
My obedience to God was challenged.
And walking by faith—not by sight—felt harder than I like to admit.
There were moments when I was late responding.
Moments when emails weren’t sent on time.
Moments when I was carrying personal struggles while still trying to pour into others.
And yet—God never failed us.
That is the truth that carried me through this year.
Even when I felt tired.
Even when I questioned myself.
Even when obedience cost more than comfort.
God remained the same.
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
— Lamentations 3:22–23 (NLT)
Looking back at 2025, I don’t see a perfect year.
I see a faithful God.
I see God sustaining us when we didn’t know how we’d make it.
I see God strengthening women who kept showing up despite their own battles.
I see God teaching us endurance, humility, and deeper trust.
And that is exactly why January 2026 will not be about hype, pressure, or pretending.
It will be about truth.
That’s why I created New Year, Same God — This Is My Fresh Start.
This is not about becoming someone new.
It’s about recognizing that the same God who carried us through 2025 is the same God inviting us into 2026—with new mercy, new grace, and renewed devotion.
In January, we will slow down.
We will reset our faith.
We will rebuild discipline—not from guilt, but from intimacy with Christ.
We will go deeper than surface-level Christianity and learn what it truly means to walk with God consistently, not just emotionally.
We will study Scripture together.
We will pray together.
We will reflect honestly.
We will heal intentionally.
We will learn how God has been present in every season of our lives—even the ones that stretched us the most.
January will be sacred.
January will be intentional.
January will be grounded.
As we prepare to say goodbye to 2025, I want you to know this:
You are still standing because God is still faithful.
You are still here because mercy kept meeting you.
And the same God who sustained us this year will lead us forward.
Thank you for your grace.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for believing in this work—and in me.
From my heart to yours, I cannot wait to walk into this new year with you, grounded in God, growing in faith, and ready for the fresh start He has already prepared.
With love and humility,
Dashonia Marie
Before we rush into countdowns, vision boards, and declarations, I want to pause and thank you.
To every woman who showed up.
To every woman who prayed.
To every woman who stayed connected to Encouraging Her Resilience and Becoming Her, even when things were imperfect.
Thank you for walking this year with me.
2025 stretched me in ways I didn’t expect.
My faith was tested.
My patience was refined.
My obedience to God was challenged.
And walking by faith—not by sight—felt harder than I like to admit.
There were moments when I was late responding.
Moments when emails weren’t sent on time.
Moments when I was carrying personal struggles while still trying to pour into others.
And yet—God never failed us.
That is the truth that carried me through this year.
Even when I felt tired.
Even when I questioned myself.
Even when obedience cost more than comfort.
God remained the same.
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
— Lamentations 3:22–23 (NLT)
Looking back at 2025, I don’t see a perfect year.
I see a faithful God.
I see God sustaining us when we didn’t know how we’d make it.
I see God strengthening women who kept showing up despite their own battles.
I see God teaching us endurance, humility, and deeper trust.
And that is exactly why January 2026 will not be about hype, pressure, or pretending.
It will be about truth.
That’s why I created New Year, Same God — This Is My Fresh Start.
This is not about becoming someone new.
It’s about recognizing that the same God who carried us through 2025 is the same God inviting us into 2026—with new mercy, new grace, and renewed devotion.
In January, we will slow down.
We will reset our faith.
We will rebuild discipline—not from guilt, but from intimacy with Christ.
We will go deeper than surface-level Christianity and learn what it truly means to walk with God consistently, not just emotionally.
We will study Scripture together.
We will pray together.
We will reflect honestly.
We will heal intentionally.
We will learn how God has been present in every season of our lives—even the ones that stretched us the most.
January will be sacred.
January will be intentional.
January will be grounded.
As we prepare to say goodbye to 2025, I want you to know this:
You are still standing because God is still faithful.
You are still here because mercy kept meeting you.
And the same God who sustained us this year will lead us forward.
Thank you for your grace.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for believing in this work—and in me.
From my heart to yours, I cannot wait to walk into this new year with you, grounded in God, growing in faith, and ready for the fresh start He has already prepared.
With love and humility,
Dashonia Marie
