Transformed

My Word For 2026

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2

This is my focus going into the new year. Being transformed by the renewing of my mind. Fixing my thoughts on things above. Thinking about the good, the lovely, the noble, the admirable, the excellent and praiseworthy things. Keeping my eyes on Jesus and truly embracing His perfect peace.

Photo by RoonZ nl on Unsplash

You see, I suffer from OCD, and it attacks me almost every day. There are varying themes to the intrusive thoughts that plague me, but there’s pretty much always something I’m worried or anxious about. Usually I know these things are irrational, but they still feel so very real in my mind. I get stuck in mental spirals where I can’t think or focus because I’m so fixated on that one thing, whatever it might be. My whole day revolves around that thought that I can’t get rid of, and I jump to worst case scenarios and convince myself they are reality. My brain can’t handle uncertainty or not having all the answers to something right away. I seek reassurance over and over again, only to move on to something else I need to figure out.

It’s a debilitating and frustrating thing to struggle with, even bleeding out to my family and causing me to become a burden to the people I love. I hate it. And I’ve finally decided that I’ve had enough. So I’m making a change. 2026 will be the year where I take my thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.

I’m praying bold and courageous prayers, trusting that God will strengthen me through this endeavor. I’m asking Him to prune me and mold me into the woman He created me to be. To break down the destructive patterns of thinking I’ve adopted over the years and replace them with life-giving thoughts instead. To crumble the walls I’ve built around my heart trying to protect myself, all the while really only keeping myself further from His peace. I’ve asked Him to create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me, and I’m going to keep on asking and pleading.

Through His strength and by His power, I will overcome the power my thoughts hold over me. I will keep taking them captive. I will continue to surrender to Him. I will seek peace and pursue it. I will be transformed by the renewing of my mind. No longer will I be consumed by fear, but I will be consumed by His peace instead.

Yes, I know I will still have tough days. Perhaps sometimes I’ll take a few steps back. But I’m not going to give up, and I know God won’t give up on me either. So I’ll suit up in my full armor and go to battle, while simultaneously being still and resting in surrender. It’s so beautiful how those two can coexist — fighting and surrendering all at once. It’s something no one can fully understand until they’re filled with the Holy Spirit. What a beautiful, wonderful, incomparable gift that is.

So here’s to 2026, a year of renewal and transformation. There’s no going back. It’s only onward from here.