Healing Into a New Year

In this end-of-year message, Pastor Dan addresses the heavy toll of a challenging year marked by instability, fatigue, and personal setbacks. He challenges the common misconception that God’s blessing is only present when life is going well, reminding the congregation that “survival is actually the greatest success” during difficult seasons. Whether you are feeling burnout, disappointment, or are simply “in the fetal position” like the prophet Jeremiah, Pastor Dan highlights that enduring hard times is a victory partnered with God’s grace, not a sign of spiritual failure.

Drawing from the story of Elijah in 1 Kings, the sermon explores how even after great mountain-top victories, we can find ourselves exhausted and “hiding in a cave”. Pastor Dan illustrates how God provides rest and nourishment in those low moments to lead us back to “Horeb”—the place of foundational encounter where we rediscover our true identity and purpose. As we transition from 2025 into 2026, we are encouraged to look for God’s “new mercies every morning” and embrace the hope that the coming season will be a time to shake off shame and begin to thrive again.