God will carry me through

It was the beginning of a new year, and I was filled with excitement and anticipation. I looked forward to worship on the first Sunday of the year and receiving my star word—a symbol of hope and direction for the months ahead. With high expectations of starting the year strong, I went to bed that Saturday night feeling hopeful.

Instead, I spent the night battling a fever, unable to sleep. By Sunday morning, rather than being in worship and receiving my star word, I found myself at urgent care, being told I had the flu. The days that followed were spent sick, exhausted, and confined to my bed. All the hopes, plans, and dreams I had for a strong start to the year felt completely derailed.

As I slowly nursed myself back to health, feeling sorry for myself. I questioned why the year had begun this way and upset that everything did not go according to plan. But in the stillness, I experienced an epiphany. I realized that my hopes, desires, dreams, and plans are always vulnerable to change. Even when things go well, they rarely unfold exactly as I imagine.

Yet one thing has remained constant throughout my life: I can always rely on God to give me the strength to endure setbacks and the ability to rise again. Although my plans for the new year were interrupted by illness, God provided exactly what I needed to recover—through rest, care, and the support of others.

When I finally returned to church, the first thing I did was pick up my star word. The word was “resilient,” defined as the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. In that moment, everything came full circle. The year didn’t begin the way I had hoped, but it began the way I needed. God reminded me that strength is not found in perfect beginnings, but in faithful perseverance. And as I move forward into this year, I do so not discouraged, but resilient—trusting that no matter what comes, God will carry me through.

Pastor Tae Park