Forge Ahead: Resolutions for the Brave Hearted

by S.M.G.

My husband and son facing the sun in a cotton field, symbolizing hope, courage, and forging ahead into a new year. Darlington, SC (photo credit: Black and Wanderlust)

With the influx of what feels like nonstop holidays and the new year rapidly approaching, this season can feel both festive and reflective. It is a time when many of us take stock of our lives, our achievements, our losses, and our aspirations. Depending on the “measuring stick” we use to evaluate success, this process can either feel celebratory or discouraging.

I’ve spent many Decembers dissecting my year—reviewing goals, intentions, and unmet expectations. The weight of self-imposed demands and the unmet expectations of others often made it hard to muster any Christmas spirit. What used to be my favorite time of year as a child became, as an adult, a reminder of what my life felt like it was missing—a series of holes that seemed like chasms at the time. The cycle of perfectionism was self-abusive, leaving no room for joy in the life I was striving so hard to create.

Faith Lesson #1: Surrender Requires Courage

True surrender is not passive—it is an active choice to release control while trusting God’s guidance. Courage comes in small steps: choosing faith over fear, obedience over comfort, and grace over worry. Surrender opens the door for divine intervention and unseen blessings.

My husband and I come from families that tended to stay rooted—kinfolk, jobs, and communities that rarely shifted. Although we were not the first in our families to take risks, we lacked a blueprint for making life-altering leaps. Stripping ourselves of familiar tangibles that symbolized security was earth-shattering.

Surrender is a word often used to describe yielding control to forces outside oneself. It sounds simple, but it takes immense faith to commit fully to Yes. It is terrifying to believe in the unseen, especially when roadblocks and pitfalls appear. Dismantling the facades of self-reliance and control, and opening oneself to support, unpredictability, and spontaneity, is unnerving. The first year of our journey was filled with uncertainty, exhilarating and trembling at the same time. The easiest choice would have been to return to our familiar life in New York, immersing ourselves in old routines that felt “safe.”

“Surrender is not giving up; it is choosing faith over fear, obedience over comfort, and grace over worry.”

Yet, through relentless grace, abundant mercy, and the unshakeable will of God, four years later, we are still standing, walking, growing, and propelling ahead, hand in hand. Instead of asking for certainty, I now ask for coverage: that God protects, prepares, provides, and sometimes postpones on our behalf.

Over the past four years, we have witnessed undeniable evidence of favor. My husband and I often marvel at the circumstances God has guided us through and the angels in human form He has sent to bless us. Not knowing the why, when, or how of the future can still trigger fear, doubt, and impatience. In response, we cultivate awareness and deep gratitude—a practice our son witnesses and participates in daily.

 Faith Lesson #2: Gratitude Cultivates Clarity

Observing and acknowledging the blessings around us—even in uncertainty—shifts perspective from fear to faith. Gratitude grounds us, increases awareness, and reminds us of God’s constant presence, even when the path is unclear.

When I pray, I no longer ask God to reveal every plan. Instead, I ask for coverage: guidance, protection, provision, and timing in His perfect way. Through daily practice, we are learning to listen intently for His whispers and intentionally seek leadership in every aspect of our lives. Each step we take—small, courageous, humble, and confident—is a step lit by God’s guidance.

Transformational Practice: Practice Intentional Listening

1. Begin each day with a short moment of prayer or meditation to set your intentions.

2. Pause throughout your day to notice signs, nudges, or opportunities God may be presenting.

3. Reflect each evening on moments you felt guided and acknowledge the small wins along the way.

Many preach faith from the comfort of their couches, their pews, or their pocketbooks. Others are taking risks, making moves, releasing control, and walking through the fires. As we move into this new season, may we all find peace in the uncertainty. May we approach the coming year with lightheartedness, ease, and confidence that things will work out in due time. May we recognize the miracles in both bold and ordinary moments.

How will you practice surrender, gratitude, and intentional listening as you step into this new year? Share your thoughts in the comments below. May 2022 blow our minds, Black and Wanderlust. Happy blessed holidays.

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SMG is a storyteller, photographer, and founder of Black and Wanderlust™. She captures life’s adventures and quiet moments alike, blending faith, family, and wanderlust into stories that inspire intentional living and authentic joy.