Mitchell County
As I sit down to write this January 2026 Life Lessons, it is a few days before Christmas, and I am thinking about the importance of the birth of Christ in our lives. His birth, His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the grave gave us the ability to face a new life—much like a new year gives us the ability to face a new beginning.
The difference is this: through Christ, we are given a clean slate to start anew, while here on earth we often carry the burdens of the past year with us into the New Year. If we truly have Him at our side, we can start anew at any time. Still, the beginning of a new year gives us a natural opportunity to press restart.
The foremost goal for most of us is to achieve a greater sense of happiness and peace in our lives each year. I recently wrote a daily devotion that I would like to share here as we approach January 1, 2026.
When you stop and really think about what we want in life, I would guess that the underlying desire is to be happy—to have joy be the dominant theme in our lives. So many times, we search for this happiness and joy in the things of this world. The earthly pleasures that surround us rarely, if ever, bring lasting joy.
The only true joy we ever find is between the covers of the world’s most popular book—the Bible. We tend to think of the Bible as a book of rules and regulations, something that causes fear or worry rather than joy. Yet the amazing truth is this: while the Bible does contain laws by which we are to live, one of its most frequent commands is to rejoice.
That may surprise some, but when we truly study God’s Word, we find that He wants us to experience happiness here on earth.
Think about the word rejoice. That word appears 282 times in Scripture. When you add phrases like fear not and be not afraid, the message becomes unmistakable.
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4 (KJV)
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (KJV)
True happiness comes when we learn to give thanks in all situations. Even when we struggle with the events around us, through Jesus we can still find eternal joy.
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content… I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:11–13 (KJV)
Even in the depths of despair, we can find comfort if we are truly children of the Most High God—our Abba Father. Learning to hold tightly to this truth during the storms of life makes all the difference, both now and forever.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Today, understand that we obey and honor the words of our Father because He loves us and desires our joy. We obey because we love Him, not because we fear Him.
As you move forward, take these words to heart. Make a conscious decision to be happy rather than downtrodden. As we enter a new year, remember that the directions God lays out for us are meant to bring the joy and peace only He can provide.
My prayer is that each of us claims a fresh start with the beginning of this new year. Wishing you a blessed and Happy New Year.
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Doug Harrell is a lifelong resident of Mitchell County, Owner of Harrell Hill Farms, a member of Pine Branch Baptist Church and former publisher of Blue Ridge Christian News. You can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/doug.harrell.77
You can read more good Christian News from Doug Harrell HERE
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