Don’t put your faith in a New Year.

A New Year is not going to take away old problems or wash away old wounds.

A Savior will do that.

Therapy can help you learn how to be gentle with yourself in the process.

These were the first words Pastor Court Harkness at Cumberland Church in Smyrna, GA uttered when he began his sermon on New Years Day (I added the therapy portion). These words were striking for many reasons but in this context, mostly because it was also so true for the world of mental health as well.

Yes! We can make New Years resolutions and wholeheartedly plan to stick to them! YES! We can recommit ourself to working on goals, and growth, and ambition. Yes! We can use the new year as the perfect marker for starting something new! Of course, let’s do it!

But remember, a new year in and of itself isn’t going to solve anything. The heartache, the family dysfunction, the cycles of trauma/abuse/addiction, the failed relationships, the constant nagging feeling that you’re not good enough… that will all still be there until you plant yourself firmly in the ground and demand that things must change.

Pray. Talk to your gentle Father. Tell him what you’re ready to change, heal, fix. Seek his heart. Seek his word. Seek his truth and promises for YOU. And go get started in therapy.

The people who courageously decide that generational trauma/pain "ends with me," who decide to pursue personal growth and healing, who work to stop patterns of inflicting or receiving pain, and who work to become the best version of themselves- these are heroes. And a greater hero still- our good heavenly Father who is the one who DOES this transformative work.

“New year, new me”? Absolutely. But it may actually be “New Me in a couple or difficult, growing years.”

But you have to start somewhere to get there. So start now. In this New Year. And rest assured that it may not always be a “Happy” New Year, but it’ll be good. It’ll be powerful. It’ll be the year you chose yourself and those who will come after you. The year you allowed your face to be cupped sweetly by God who will walk closely beside you during your deep transformation.

Go get that.
Happy New Year!

Click our Make An Appointment link if you’re ready to begin with us at Cumberland Counseling. We’re ready for you.