Embracing New Seasons Letting Go and Letting God

Welcome to the 15th episode of the Anchored in Grace Podcast/Devotional. We’re so grateful you’ve joined us for this special moment as we close out 2025 together. Today’s episode, “Embracing a New Season: Letting Go and Letting God,” is more than just a conversation—it’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and prepare your heart for what God desires to do next.

As this year comes to an end, many of us are carrying lessons learned, prayers answered, prayers still waiting, and even things God is gently asking us to release. In this final podcast of 2025, we’re creating space to let go of what no longer serves God’s purpose in our lives and to trust Him fully as we step into 2026. Together, we’ll share encouragement, practical wisdom, and faith-filled reminders to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and peace.

Wherever you are on your journey, know this: God is not finished with you. He goes before you into this new season. So settle in, open your heart, and let’s walk into the new year anchored in His grace, trusting His timing, and ready for all He has prepared.

📚 Homework Section (For the Week Ahead)
1. Reflection Journal:
What season do you believe God is calling you into for 2026?
What is He asking you to release?
2. Scripture Study:
Read Genesis 12, Genesis 50, Matthew 14, and Isaiah 43 this week.
Write down one truth from each passage.
3. Action Step:
Do one thing this week that stretches your faith.
Obey God promptly in something small.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:01

Welcome back to Anchored in Grace. Today we're talking about something that I believe many of us are feeling deep in our spirit about, you know, and a shift, a new season, you know, as we're going into 2026. Um I just feel like God is pushing us into a new place to believe for more, you know, and there's a sense and a calling from God for his people to move forward in confidence without fear. And I really want you to think, take the time to really think about that as we are moving into 2026.

SPEAKER_00 0:46

Amen. That's right. And new seasons, Eric, you know, can be super exciting, but they also can feel uncomfortable and uncertain. Um, transitions often stretch us, but one thing we want to remind you to today is this God never calls us into a new season without going before us. So we're really going to be talking about that today. And this title, this episode is Embracing New Seasons, Letting Go and Letting God.

SPEAKER_01 1:19

Can you run that back, though? That last part that you said? Because I think you kind of went by that kind of fast.

SPEAKER_00 1:25

Which part, man?

SPEAKER_01 1:26

That last part right here.

SPEAKER_00 1:27

Okay. I said, God never calls us into a new season without going before us.

SPEAKER_01 1:34

Man, that's deep.

SPEAKER_00 1:35

So that says that God has already been there. He's already gone through the fire for us, right?

SPEAKER_01 1:41

He was there at the beginning.

SPEAKER_00 1:44

And the middle.

SPEAKER_01 1:46

And the middle. And then he is in the future.

SPEAKER_00 1:49

And the future. I know that's right.

SPEAKER_01 1:51

Man, that's something else.

SPEAKER_00 1:53

So that is pretty awesome. So let's get excited. Let's really think about 2025. What a blessing it has been. We are all number one blessing, I will say, is we're standing on solid ground, right? Standing on above the ground. Amen. Right? So that's something where you want to put the his praise on it. So I thank God for that every single day that we just have God's breath within us, you know, breathing in us every single day. Amen. That we can continue to walk this journey.

SPEAKER_01 2:24

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 2:25

So let's go ahead and start out on prayer. But we are so excited to put this podcast down today. And remember, letting go and letting God.

SPEAKER_02 2:36

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 2:36

So, Heavenly Father, we thank you for this moment and for every listener joining us today. We invite you, we invite your presence into this conversation. Holy Spirit, guide our words and open our hearts to hear what you are saying as we step into new seasons. Give us wisdom, courage, and obedience to follow you wherever you lead us. Help us to trust you with the unknown and to walk confidently anchored in your grace. In Jesus' name we pray, everybody say.

SPEAKER_01 3:11

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 3:11

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 3:15

You know, our foundational scriptures for today coming from Psalms 139 and 5. It says, You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. That verse alone should give us peace.

SPEAKER_00 3:37

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 3:38

Right? It should give us peace. God is not only ahead of us, he is behind us too, as Shara said earlier. You know what I'm saying? We are fully surrounded by his presence.

SPEAKER_00 3:50

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 3:51

Everything that we have gone through in our life or will go through in our life, God has already seen the beginning and ending of it. And if we trust him, come on. He's already taken care of it, he's already dealt with it.

SPEAKER_00 4:06

That's so good. And if he's already presenting you with it, he already knows what it's gonna be.

SPEAKER_01 4:12

He knows what it's gonna be.

SPEAKER_00 4:13

You know, and that's I think the beauty in it, and I think that's a huge part of too of maturity, right? In our Christianity and our walk on a daily life. Because if somebody were to present you with $1,000 today, right? And that could be a lot for some people, that could be not a lot for some people, but just go with me is if somebody walked off the street and said, Hey, I'm gonna give you a thousand dollars today, you don't know that I'm short a thousand dollars for my rent, or I need to pay a car payment or a medical bill or my credit card payment because the holidays were just crazy, or whatever it is, right? But God already went before you because he knew what you needed. That's right. And so we really have to think about that and embrace this new season that we're stepping into because God is so good and He He sees all and knows all. So we got we have to understand we read your Bible, it's in the Bible, and um that's something to get excited about, you guys, and really to understand the purpose and the walk that we have with Christ, and also if you trust God, if you just the number one thing is if just trust God, um, and He will work it out. Amen. Do that because He's already worked it out.

SPEAKER_01 5:41

That's what He does, he's in the blessing business.

SPEAKER_00 5:43

That's right, that's right. All right, so we're gonna start with our first point on this, and it's God goes before us. Um, so when God calls us into something new, he's all already been there, what we just talked about. Look at Abraham's call in Genesis 12, 1 through 9. God told Abraham to leave everything familiar, leave everything familiar. Does that sound similar to you guys? Yep, his his country, his people, his comfort, and go to a place he would show him, right?

SPEAKER_01 6:21

Amen. Amen. Amen to that. And Abraham, you know, he didn't have a full map, right? He didn't he Abraham was just kind of like he heard the call and he walked in it. He said, Okay, God, you know what I'm saying? He had a promise.

SPEAKER_00 6:40

That's right, you know.

SPEAKER_01 6:41

I mean, how many of you ever been in a situation where maybe your boss promised you, I'm gonna give you a raise in 2026? Just a promise. Yeah, not a guarantee, but a promise. A promise from man is different than a promise from God. What God promised you. That's right. Because God's word never returns void. God's word is so powerful that he cannot be a liar.

SPEAKER_00 7:06

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 7:07

When he promises you something, it will be fulfilled.

SPEAKER_00 7:11

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 7:12

You know, and that's often how God works. You know what I'm saying? His promises. That's why we need to read the word every day. Get that word in our heart so we understand that this word will never return void to us. He asks us to trust him step by step. Proverbs 3 and 16 says, in all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your path straight. And that's just saying, if you submit to God, your faith, your need, Proverbs 3 and 6, everything that you need in God.

SPEAKER_00 7:50

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 7:51

He will take care of your paths, he will keep it straight, he will protect you on your path. You know, so submit to that. Submit submission to God is true is super important.

SPEAKER_00 8:05

That's right. And also, too, in Isaiah 26 and 7, it reminds us the path of the righteous is level. You, the upright one, make the way of the righteous smooth.

SPEAKER_01 8:18

I like that. The path of the righteous is level.

SPEAKER_00 8:21

That's right. But you, the upright one, make the way of the righteous smooth. That's that's beautiful.

SPEAKER_01 8:29

That is, that's very beautiful.

SPEAKER_00 8:31

And God already knows what 2026 holds, right, Eric? He does. So the challenges, the opportunities, the doors that need to be opened, and the ones that need to close. Because sometimes we leave doors half open, don't we?

SPEAKER_01 8:46

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 8:47

And God can't bless that. He can't, because we're holding on to old, trying to take in the new. And you you can't you have to close that door. Close, I guarantee you. I've we and Erica both experienced it. If you close, just shut the door. I remember our pastor said, shut the door, shut the door, and that it just cracks me up in my spirit because now I'm like, shoot, I'm closing that door. I do not even need that in my life. I don't I don't want to walk into 2026 with that. Um, so close the door. And the ones that need to close, they're gonna close.

SPEAKER_01 9:23

It's gonna close.

SPEAKER_00 9:24

New opportunities are coming, you guys.

SPEAKER_01 9:26

You know, and you know, Shores and I were praying with a person recently who had a door shut. And it's amazing, you know, how God can shut a door in your life when you don't expect it.

SPEAKER_00 9:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:41

And you have to be, and that those are the times where you have to truly be obedient.

SPEAKER_00 9:46

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 9:47

And truly trust God.

SPEAKER_00 9:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:49

You know, because God can do something drastic in your life, and it can just put you in a place where you're like scared, you're fearful. But those are the times where you praise God, that you trust God and say, Lord, I'm following you. You know, you are keeping me on this straight path. And I know that I'm in a very uncomfortable, unfamiliar place, but I'm trusting that you're gonna guide me through it.

SPEAKER_00 10:16

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 10:17

And that's what God does.

SPEAKER_00 10:18

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 10:19

That's what he does. Amen to that. And some things from the old season, like I just said, can't follow you into the new one. God will shut those doors because sometimes you need to purge and cut out some things that you were doing in 2025, right? Because 2025 mess can't follow you into 2026 because God is taking you higher, he's taking you to a new place. Amen. Because you're going to be doing something new. You know, the battles you fought before don't get to come with you.

SPEAKER_00 10:56

Right.

SPEAKER_01 10:56

You don't need to take that mess with you because those battles have been dealt with. It's time to go forward and what God has for you. Jude 1 and 3 says, Contend for the faith that once for all entrusted to God's holy people. Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people.

SPEAKER_00 11:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 11:20

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 11:21

And I love you know that you were saying, and some things from the old season can't follow you into the new one. Um I laugh about that because um we just recently did a purge in our house, you know, of you know, taking stuff out of our closet and getting it to the goodwill. And um, you know, that was something old for us, but it's also new for somebody else. You know what I mean? And so when you start thinking about it that way, when you start shifting your thinking of I can't hold on to this dress that I've had for 10 years because I I'm gonna get into it this year, right? Let it go, let it be somebody else's blessing because if it wasn't for you 10 years ago, I don't know if it's gonna be for you right now, right? It could be, but you know, we all have been there where we hold, and I'm just using clothes as an example because it's such a quick reminder, we can look at our closets and be like, I haven't worn that shirt in how long have I had that shirt? Does it still even have the tag on it? You know, I had clothes with tags on them still, and I'm like, wow, I just wasted my money away, right? But when you start getting mature in God and understanding, like, hey, I bought this for a purpose. This is it wasn't intended for me, this was intended for somebody else, and somebody else is gonna be able to walk and thrive in that. So I think that's it's beautiful, you know, just thinking about that when we were doing that this week.

SPEAKER_01 12:58

Amen. That's beautiful, baby. I love it.

SPEAKER_00 13:00

So our next point is let go of the old to make room for the new. It's kind of what I just talked about. That's right. So um, it's just so funny that this is often the hardest part, letting go, letting go of anything. It could be an old video game, it could be some shoes that you know we used to wear and be like, oh my god, these were my favorite shoes. But we know them things is wore out, right?

SPEAKER_01 13:29

And and and sometimes it's mess that we want to hold in our heart, attitudes, yes, yes, that's so good. We want to hold on to anger and and and things, unforgiveness.

SPEAKER_00 13:41

I'll never forgive that person for what they did. But I guarantee you, if you do, God will free you. And God's gonna free that person too.

SPEAKER_01 13:50

That's right. And that weight right there, you don't want to hold on to that. You want to let that, you want to purge that.

SPEAKER_00 13:55

Amen. That's true.

SPEAKER_01 13:57

That keeps you in chains, that keeps you stuck.

SPEAKER_00 13:59

That's a whole nother podcast, right there. Yes, it does. Yes, it is to come, right?

SPEAKER_01 14:05

That's right.

SPEAKER_00 14:06

Um, but in Isaiah 43 and 18 and 19, it says, Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a what area?

SPEAKER_01 14:17

A new thing.

SPEAKER_00 14:18

A new thing.

SPEAKER_01 14:19

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 14:20

Yes, I love that. God showing out always.

SPEAKER_01 14:25

Amen. He don't play about me, he don't play about me.

SPEAKER_00 14:30

And um also holding on to the past, old habits, old mindsets, even old relationships can delay what God wants to do next.

SPEAKER_01 14:42

That's the truth.

SPEAKER_00 14:44

So many people hold on. Oh my gosh, I've done that. Where I I think um, and and you know, and I was very transparent with Eric about feeling bad about holding on to our old business, you know. But he had to remind me that was a blessing when we had our business, regardless if we had to close it or not, it was still a blessing. But I'm like, oh man, I felt like it was all my fault. I wasn't good enough. I was beating myself down, and that's what the enemy wanted me to do. That's right. But I thank God that I have a prayer warrior as a husband who lifted me up in prayer and said, Babe, no. God, what he had for us was for us, but he also wants us to walk in our future too.

SPEAKER_01 15:30

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 15:30

So he opened those doors, but it was also time to close that door.

SPEAKER_01 15:35

So and the beautiful thing about that story is everything that God did in that business, the way he opened up unique expressions, yeah, was done supernaturally. Oh, yeah. It was done things that was not in our control, things that we couldn't have put into place unless God moved it forward. From getting the financing, finding um the inventory, finding the building, the people, everything. Help, we had help, you know what I'm saying, to set everything up, help to do the maintenance and painting. We were meeting people. God supernaturally set everything up.

SPEAKER_02 16:14

Everything.

SPEAKER_01 16:15

That's what God does. And when it was time to close it, even in fearful moments of, oh my God, what are we gonna do with this? Yeah, God was still showing out by relationships that we already had in place with people. Yep. People that a person I had a person that I work with, his father was the manager of the company that held our lease.

SPEAKER_00 16:40

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 16:41

And once he found out when when when my my my friend spoke on my behalf to his father, yes, and he told him the type of persons that we were, he forgave, he forgave our our lease.

SPEAKER_00 16:56

Our lease.

SPEAKER_01 16:57

That was God.

SPEAKER_00 16:58

God closed all that door because God had already what he went before.

SPEAKER_01 17:02

He went before.

SPEAKER_00 17:04

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 17:04

And that's just an example of that. You know, when God does things, he does it in a way that only God can do it. And you know it was the power of God.

SPEAKER_00 17:14

That was so good. You know, I love that.

SPEAKER_01 17:18

And, you know, that leads me to Joseph's, his story, this Joseph's story in Genesis 50, verses 15 through 21. And it shows us the power of forgiveness and transition. Um, in our life, sometimes we are going through situations. And I think many people sometimes we are upset, frustrated with people, people who have hurt us, people who've put us in bondage, and we hold on to those things. And Joseph is an example of an individual who had who should have been mad, who was angry. He could have been, he could have had his brothers killed for what they did to him.

SPEAKER_00 17:58

Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 17:59

But Joseph chose forgiveness over bitterness. Man, and if you remember what his brothers did to him, they threw him in a pit, you know, because they were jealous of him because of his favor, you know, because of the coat of many colors he wore that gave him, he had the favor, you know, and they were jealous. And then, as you know, Joseph went through many different things after that. He was thrown into, he was at Potiphar's house, he was thrown into prison. And then at the end, he was rewarded and he worked for Pharaoh. He was number two to Pharaoh. You know what I'm saying? So come on now. You can't tell me that God won't won't, you know, even though when people mean for your bad, that God won't put you where you belong, regardless of what they were trying to do to Joseph, he still ended up where God wanted him to be. That's so good. You know? So, you know, just remember, even after portrayal, you know, we have to choose to forgive. And because he did, he was able to step fully into God's purpose and the promises that God had for him. Come on now.

SPEAKER_00 19:13

That is so good. I love that. I love everything you just said because that is so good. You you don't sometimes, like, you know, you said, I love that. I really want to speak on that because when it when it is the unknown, when there is the jealousy, when it is a struggle, a fight, it's it's hard to get in, right? But that's what the enemy wants you to think, right? And so it's so good that um you said Joseph chose forgiveness over bitterness. That's huge. You know, I mean people walk around with bitterness in their heart, yeah. You know, they're upset, they're just like, uh-uh, I can't, uh they did me wrong. That person disrespected me. Yes, that person hurt me, that person hurt my son or my daughter or whatever. But he chose forgiveness over bitterness, and you see the the um the uh elevation that God had for him. He didn't even know that was coming. His family didn't even know that was coming. They were like, What? That's I mean, if y'all haven't read that story, like read Joseph's story. Oh my gosh, it's amazing. Genesis 50, 15 through 21. Just read it. It's some good reading, I'll tell you. Um, but I just wanted to make sure I spoke on that because that that to me is the favor of God was over his life. Yeah, and he didn't even know. You know what I'm saying? Like that's that's crazy. And it was it was different, right? And so when everybody they kind of put him as an outsider compared to his brothers, you know, and so for God to elevate him the way he did and put him at the highest level of respect, the highest level of respect.

SPEAKER_01 21:10

Amen. To that.

SPEAKER_00 21:10

Because he chose forgiveness over bitterness.

SPEAKER_01 21:12

Over bitterness.

SPEAKER_00 21:13

So if you just imagine if you do the same, what God can do in your situation. And um read that story. Please read that story.

SPEAKER_01 21:22

And this one thing, and there's two points I wanted to make about bitterness, right?

SPEAKER_00 21:26

Go ahead, maybe.

SPEAKER_01 21:27

Our pastor did a sermon on bitterness, you know, talking about bitterness.

SPEAKER_02 21:32

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 21:32

And he said two things that always sit with me, and they were bitterness is what happens when the wound does not heal fully. Emotions can go, come and go, but bitterness spreads and settles. You know what I'm saying? Like an infection. Yeah, it spreads and it settles in. You know, and bitterness spreads through your thoughts, it settles in your identity, and it begins to speak through your voice. Come on now, you hear that? That bitterness can get in you. And and and it can spread through you. It will it will overcome you for the for you sci-fi geeks out there, like a s I think they call them like a symbiont that they attach to you and become you, you know.

SPEAKER_00 22:18

Or like a cancer or something or a disease. That's how that spreads. You know what I mean? Like that is wow.

SPEAKER_01 22:26

Yeah. That's really good. Yeah. So I mean, that was just something that I just want you to understand what bitterness, yeah, how it can spread in you, and it just overtake you. That's why you have to guard against a bitter heart, that bitter root.

SPEAKER_00 22:40

That's so good. I'm glad you shared that. So also sometimes obedience means releasing people or patterns that no longer fit where God is taking you. Yes. That, you know, has been a big one for us, you know. It's it's hard because you want to um you want to hold on because oh my gosh, that's this is my best friend, or this is my my first cousin, or this is my auntie or uncle or whoever, right? And but sometimes we're not on the same paths, right? And we all walk different walks, and so obedience, some God may say, I need you to not no longer hang with that person, and that's hard to hear that from God, right? Because we want to put our own stank on it, right? Yeah, on what God is telling us, and that's not how God wants you to walk into 2026, you guys. And sometimes, like I said, in the obedience means releasing people or patterns that no longer fit where God is taking you. That could be doing drugs, smoking weed, drinking alcohol to fulfill a need or whatever that addiction, right? Those patterns that we have, those are no longer, they no longer fit where God is taking you. If you want to go to that next level that we all get excited about on Sundays, oh, God is good and He's gonna take me here and He's gonna take me there. But if we're not making those steps in the walk of Christ, I guarantee you're not going to be in that elevated place where you're wanting to be. So we really gotta think about that. We gotta um relate to what is God, what does God have for me? Because what God has for me is just for me.

SPEAKER_01 24:38

Just for you.

SPEAKER_00 24:40

Right? So in Matthew 9 and 17, it says, Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. So that's that's another great analogy in the Bible there. You can't pour new wine into old wineskins because it will burst, right? Um, and God is preparing you to carry something new, but you need a new wineskin. A new wineskin, right? You can't keep pouring things into your old self. You have to walk into something new.

SPEAKER_01 25:11

Yeah, winemakers don't mix old and new wine. And you don't and and you're not gonna put new wine into an old wineskin.

SPEAKER_00 25:19

No.

SPEAKER_01 25:20

A wineskin that already carried wine before. You need a new wineskin. And and and and the same thing for you as you move forward in this season, yeah. Don't be afraid to to say, Lord, I need you to guide my path with all people. And these people can be family, yeah. And because family can be some of your biggest haters sometimes. Yeah, they can see you in a way, they can see you in an old way. When God is doing something new in you, amen. And it's important to never let that stop your progress.

SPEAKER_00 26:07

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 26:08

You keep moving forward in God because God is God. And, you know, people love us and they never stop loving you, but only God can love you in a way and propel you forward in a way. That's why when God is moving, you have to trust that voice and not hear the voices of people that you have loved your whole life sometimes that have a certain perspective or view of you.

SPEAKER_00 26:36

That's okay.

SPEAKER_01 26:37

Yeah, they can have that view because we are all in different places in our lives, in different times, in different walks. God can have you in a place and have them in a place. Yeah, they'll get to the place they need to get to when they eventually get there. That's true. Never have a judgment or anything with people, you know, about anybody.

SPEAKER_02 27:02

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 27:02

You love people where they are, but just because they are where they are doesn't mean you have to be there with them. That's right. You need to be where God is calling you because God has us all in different seasons, in different places, at different times, based off our growth and what he's doing in us.

SPEAKER_00 27:18

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 27:20

Amen. And new seasons require faith-fulfilled action. Okay, and that's what we're going to be talking about in stepping out of the boat. That's our point number three. Okay. And let's think about Peter in Matthew chapter 14, verses 22 through 33. He stepped out of the boat, not because the storm stopped, but because Jesus called him. And do you remember that? Jesus called him and he said, He called him a couple times. He called, he said, Can I come to you?

SPEAKER_00 28:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 28:02

And Jesus said, Yes, come on. And so he was willing to step out because he was called, you know, and that and and that was a powerful scene when you think about that. When you read that verse and you think about, wow, this is a storm. I see God walking in. That's Jesus walking in the midst of a storm.

SPEAKER_00 28:24

You know. And he looks okay.

SPEAKER_01 28:26

And he's good. You know what I'm saying? And and those storms, those are storms in our life. Yeah. Just know that Jesus is in the midst of our storms.

unknown 28:34

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 28:35

All the chaos that's happening in our lives, all the things that are just destroying us in moments, Jesus is there to bring the calm and to stop that storm in your life. Yes. If you let him, he is there. He is there to take the pain away, the frustration, the anger, the bitterness, everything. If you let him. No differently than he stopped that storm, he will stop the pain that's in your heart.

SPEAKER_00 29:05

Amen. That's really good, babe. Also, you know, uh fear often keeps us stuck between seasons. Comfort zones feel safe, but they also can keep us stagnant. God may be calling you into God, excuse me, God may be calling you to step into something you've never done before. I know I've been there before.

SPEAKER_01 29:30

I have too. And I thank God for my wife who helped me with that a great deal. You know, stepping out into a situation. I remember I got an opportunity at work. One of my favorite bosses of all time, she came to me and said, Hey, I didn't know her then, but she said, I have an opportunity for you. I heard these things about you. Yeah, I want you to come and do this program. I was like, What?

SPEAKER_00 29:57

You know, sure we're like, what?

SPEAKER_01 29:59

That was my fear talking. You know what I'm saying? It was, but it was the beginning of the blessing that catapulted me into the position that I am now. If I would have submitted to my fear, I wouldn't be where I am now. I would still be in that old place where I was comfortable. Yep. So you have to let God stretch you.

SPEAKER_00 30:22

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 30:23

Strength and stretches. Let God stretch you. Because when you are stretched, you can do more. You can grow more. You know, and like we were just talking about the story with Peter, you can't walk on water if you never leave the boat. So if you're not willing to be stretched, yeah, you won't grow.

SPEAKER_00 30:48

That's so good. I love that. I'm so glad you said that. That is awesome. I love it.

SPEAKER_01 30:56

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 30:57

All right. So we're gonna talk about some practical tips for entering 2026 with confidence.

SPEAKER_02 31:03

Let's go.

SPEAKER_00 31:04

All right. So, number one, pray before you plan. Ask God what He is doing in this next season.

SPEAKER_01 31:14

I like that. I like that a lot. Number two says, release the past intentionally. You hear that? Release the past. That's great. Intentionally. Let it go.

SPEAKER_00 31:25

Let it go, let God write, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 31:27

Write down what God is asking you to let go of. And do it. Do the action.

SPEAKER_00 31:35

Number three, practice obedience in small steps. Faith grows with action.

SPEAKER_01 31:42

That's really good, babe. Number four says stay anchored in the word. And this is super important. Every day, scriptures keep you steady during change. The more and more you put God's word in your heart, the stronger you are going to be.

SPEAKER_00 31:58

Amen. And the last one is number five. Surround yourself with godly counsel. Don't transition alone.

SPEAKER_01 32:07

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 32:08

So if you need a prayer warrior, if you need somebody to help you or have a Bible study or whatever that is, or somebody just to talk to and hang out with, you know, um changing your Friday habits of going to the club or going to the bar or going somewhere where you know you have no need to be. Hang out with somebody who can give you good counsel and somebody who is just a person like yourself. And you know what I mean? You can have a good time, but in a good setting, right? Transition yourself out of that. So don't do it alone.

SPEAKER_01 32:44

And don't be afraid to cut out folks, yes. Who are doing old things that don't mean you know good.

SPEAKER_00 32:53

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 32:54

Even if it involves your family or close friends that you've had forever.

SPEAKER_00 32:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 32:58

You gotta be willing to do what God is calling you to do. So the next section, uh, so we're gonna be talking about some key takeaways that we want you to take with you into 2026 and things that we've learned today, really important points. Number one, God always goes before you and guard and guards you from behind. So I love that. That that's awesome. He he he he always goes before you and he guards you from behind. That's awesome. You know, God is amazing. You know, I was gonna give you a left tackle analogy that guards a quarterback, but it's even greater than that. You know what I'm saying? It's like having the left tackle in front of you and backing you on the right side and the left side. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, it's amazing.

SPEAKER_00 33:52

That's awesome. And transition is a process, not a moment.

SPEAKER_01 33:59

I like that. And the next one says, letting go of the old creates room for God's new work.

SPEAKER_00 34:07

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 34:08

God always has something new for you.

SPEAKER_00 34:10

He always does, even though when you can't even see it.

SPEAKER_01 34:13

And Shars mentioned to you today, you gotta do that purging in that garage. You gotta clean out. Because if you don't clean stuff out, how can you prepare for the new?

SPEAKER_00 34:24

That's that's the son of truth. Oh my goodness. And also obedience unlocks purpose, yours and also others. Because God is gonna use you.

SPEAKER_01 34:37

Man, that's deep. I love it. And the last one here faith requires stepping out. You gotta step out the boat, even when it feels uncomfortable. So, strength, stretches, being able to go through stretches so that you can get stronger, it's okay. That's all right. It's all good.

SPEAKER_00 34:59

That's right. All right, so we always got some homework for y'all. So, um, for the week ahead, you know, we want you guys to do a couple of things. Um, number one, reflection journal. This is always a really good thing. Um, what season do you believe God is calling you into for 2026? What is he asking you to release?

SPEAKER_01 35:26

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 35:27

I like that. Okay, and then the scripture study is read Genesis 12, Genesis 50, the whole thing, Matthew 14, and also Isaiah 43 this week.

SPEAKER_01 35:42

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 35:42

Read that this week when you know a lot of us have a lot of time off work because of the new year coming, and um start your new year different. You know what I mean? Just I think that's gonna be huge. Um, and write down one truth from each passage from all of those um verses, okay? Amen. And books. And then the last one is action step. So do one thing this week that stretches your faith, like Eric said. Um, obey God promptly and something small.

SPEAKER_01 36:19

And I really want you guys to get into the mindset of getting uncomfortable. Yeah, embrace getting uncomfortable and trusting God because God has something amazing for you if you do that.

SPEAKER_00 36:34

Well, we gotta let go and let God amen.

SPEAKER_01 36:38

Amen. So let us pray. Let us pray. God, we thank you. Father God, you are awesome. Thank you for 2025. We thank you just for being God every day, who never leaves us nor forsakes us.

SPEAKER_00 36:55

Yes, God, thank you, Lord.

SPEAKER_01 36:57

As we step into this new season, Lord, help us to trust you more deeply and obey you, Lord, more fully and walk boldly by your faith, God. God, we ask for you for that to do that, God, in Jesus' name. Remove fear, God. Remove that fear demon, God, that settles on us. Break old mindsets, God. Old mindsets, God, that want to settle in our hearts, God, that it's hard for us to let God. God, I ask that you break all those chains, God. Break every chain, God, and strengthen our hearts, God. Give us your strength, God, because you are the source of our strength, God. We thank you, Jesus. Thank you, God. We declare that 2026 will be a year of alignment, God. Thank you, God. Obedience and confidence in you, God. Thank you, Lord. You're gonna move, God. You're gonna move in an amazing way, God. And we thank you for that right now, and we speak that into existence, God. We choose to remain anchored in your grace, God, because you being our anchored, God, nothing can move us, God. We can't be moved, God. So we thank you, God, for anchoring in in your grace, God, in your word, God. In Jesus' holy name we pray. Amen and amen.

SPEAKER_00 38:25

That was pretty awesome. Thank you for that prayer. I love that because man, going into 2026, God will never leave you nor forsake you. And I just thank you, God, for those the new seasons that are coming. Um I'm thanking God for y'all because I know you guys are gonna have some testimonies to report back, and I'm super excited for that to hear it. And not later, but soon. Amen. Okay, so we speak that over you guys in Jesus' name. And we just, you know, more than anything, let's wrap up this 2025 year. We just wanted to come to you guys with a podcast, you know. You can listen to it today, tomorrow, whatever is gonna bless your heart. But we just thank you guys for all your support over this past year, since this was our first year. Um, I think we did about what 15 podcasts this year.

SPEAKER_01 39:18

I think this is 15, then yeah, number 15.

SPEAKER_00 39:21

So I thank God for that. And um we did more than one a month, so that's really good. Sometimes it's hard, guys, but you know, I think next year we'll be better. And um, we just thank God for the opportunities um that are coming. And um, we just more than want to just tell you guys thank you for joining us on Anchored in Grace, where faith is strengthened, hope is restored, and lives are rooted in Christ. And you know, until next time, you'll be hearing us in 2026. Uh, remember, the one who anchors you in grace is always holding you in his love and his peace. Any last words you want to say, Eric?

SPEAKER_01 40:04

I just want to say thank you all. Happy New Year, many blessings to you all. And, you know, we do this podcast slash devotional because it's God led and we believe in being led by the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_02 40:21

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 40:22

So we thank you and we pray that it continues to bless you because it blesses us every time. That's right, and it definitely does. So we thank you, and blessings to you in twenty twenty-sex.

SPEAKER_00 40:34

All right, you guys have a blessed and happy new year.