Why to Put God First the New Year Is the Best Time
The start of a new year brings hope, reflection, and a desire for change. People set resolutions, plan goals, and dream of a better future. Yet many forget the most important foundation of all: put God first in the new year.
Without God, even the best plans can feel empty or overwhelming. With God, even uncertain paths are filled with peace, purpose, and direction. The Bible teaches us that when God is first, everything else falls into its rightful place.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33
This article will help you understand what it truly means to put God first, why it matters for your life, and how to practically live it out in the new year.
What Does It Mean to Put God First?
Putting God first means making Him the center of your decisions, priorities, and daily life. It does not mean ignoring responsibilities or ambitions. Instead, it means aligning every area of life with God’s will.
When you put God first:
- You seek His guidance before making decisions
- You trust Him with your future
- You allow His Word to shape your values
- You depend on Him daily, not only in hard times
God does not want to be an option in your life. He desires to be your foundation.
Why Putting God First in the New Year Is Important
1. God Provides Clear Direction for Life
A new year often comes with questions:
- What should I focus on?
- Am I on the right path?
- What if my plans fail?
When God is first, He provides guidance even when the future feels uncertain.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5–6
Instead of confusion, God offers wisdom. Instead of anxiety, He gives clarity.
2. God Gives Peace That the World Cannot Offer
Many people chase peace through success, money, or control. Yet true peace comes only from God.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” – Isaiah 26:3
Putting God first in the new year brings peace that remains even when circumstances change. This peace guards your heart and mind throughout the year.
3. God Strengthens You Spiritually and Emotionally
Life brings challenges, disappointments, and unexpected struggles. When God is first, you are not facing these alone.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” – Isaiah 40:31
Daily reliance on God renews your strength and helps you endure difficult seasons with faith and hope.
Practical Ways to Put God First in the New Year
1. Begin the Year with Prayer and Surrender
Before setting goals or resolutions, take time to pray and dedicate the year to God. Prayer acknowledges that God is in control, not us.
A simple prayer you can start with:
“Lord, I give You this new year. Guide my steps, shape my heart, and help me walk in Your will.”
Starting the year with prayer sets the tone for the months ahead.
2. Make Bible Reading a Daily Priority
The Bible is God’s instruction manual for life. It gives wisdom, encouragement, and correction.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105
You do not need to read large portions at once. Consistency matters more than quantity.
Simple steps:
- Read one chapter each day
- Meditate on one verse in the morning
- Apply what you read to daily decisions
God’s Word transforms lives when it is read and lived.
3. Invite God into Your Goals and Plans
Many people plan first and pray later. Putting God first means involving Him from the beginning.
Instead of saying, “God, bless my plans,” ask:
- “God, what do You want me to pursue?”
- “How can my goals honour You?”
This includes:
- Career and work decisions
- Financial planning and budgeting
- Personal growth and relationships
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
4. Choose Faith Over Fear
Fear often increases at the start of a new year fear of failure, loss, or the unknown. Putting God first means choosing faith over fear.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Faith grows when we trust God even when we cannot see the full picture.
5. Build a Habit of Gratitude and Worship
Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already done.
“Give thanks in all circumstances.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Worship does not only happen in church. It happens when we:
- Thank God daily
- Acknowledge His goodness
- Praise Him even during challenges
A thankful heart stays close to God.
6. Serve God by Serving Others
Putting God first is not only personal it affects how we treat others.
“Serve the Lord with gladness.” – Psalm 100:2
Serving others reflects God’s love in action. This can include:
- Encouraging someone who is struggling
- Helping those in need
- Showing kindness and patience
Service strengthens faith and brings purpose beyond self.
Letting Go of the Past Year
Putting God first also means releasing the past year into His hands.
Many people enter the new year carrying:
- Guilt from past mistakes
- Regret over missed opportunities
- Pain from broken relationships
God invites us to start fresh.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” – Isaiah 43:18
God offers forgiveness, healing, and restoration for all who trust Him.
A New Year Built on Faith, Not Pressure
The world says:
- “Work harder”
- “Control everything”
- “Never fail”
God says:
- “Trust Me”
- “Follow Me”
- “Rest in Me”
Putting God first removes the pressure to be perfect. It reminds us that God is leading the journey.
Benefits of Put God First in the New Year
When God is first:
- Your decisions are guided by wisdom
- Your heart is filled with peace
- Your faith grows stronger
- Your life gains eternal purpose
Success becomes obedience, not comparison.
1. What does it mean to put God first in the new year?
Put God first in the new year means making Him the foundation of your decisions, goals, and daily life. It involves seeking God through prayer, reading the Bible, trusting His guidance, and aligning your plans with His will instead of relying only on personal strength.
2. Why is it important to put God first at the beginning of the year?
The beginning of the year sets the direction for the months ahead. When God is first, He provides clarity, peace, and purpose. The Bible teaches that seeking God first allows everything else in life to fall into its proper place.
Conclusion: Make Putting God First Your Greatest Resolution
As this new year unfolds, remember that true transformation does not begin with resolutions, plans, or ambition it begins with putting God first. When God leads your life, you no longer walk alone or rely only on your own strength. You walk with divine guidance, unshakable peace, and lasting purpose.
Putting God first in the new year is not about perfection; it is about direction. It is a daily choice to trust Him, seek His wisdom, and align your heart with His will. Even when the road ahead feels uncertain, God remains faithful, constant, and present in every season.
When God is first:
- Your decisions become clearer
- Your burdens become lighter
- Your faith becomes stronger
Let this year be marked not by fear of the unknown, but by confidence in the One who holds the future. Surrender your plans, your hopes, and your challenges to God, and allow Him to shape this year according to His perfect purpose. Start this year with God, walk through it with faith, and finish it with gratitude knowing that when God is first, everything else falls into place.
Bible Passages for New Believers
Role: Founder & Spiritual Writer at TheGodMessage.com
About: Himanshu is a Jesus-centered writer known for creating clear, uplifting, and Bible-rooted content for modern believers.
Expertise: specializes in prayers, devotionals, and spiritual guidance designed to help readers grow stronger in faith no matter where they are in life.
Purpose: His mission is to inspire readers to connect with their inner self, experience peace, and understand the messages of the universe. “My mission is simple, to bring God’s light into your everyday life.”