My One Word for 2025 : Dare

January 13, 2025

For the past several years, I have chosen one word for the year instead of making New Year's resolutions.

What is a Word for the Year?

A "Word for the Year" is a powerful word that helps you focus your thoughts, unify your goals, and keep them front and center. It serves as your guiding theme, a touchstone for every decision and situation. This singular word embodies who you aspire to be and how you wish to live in the year ahead. When found through prayer, it lights the path that God has set for you, revealing His purpose just for you. It offers a glimpse of the incredible journey He wants to take you on in the coming year, guiding your focus and growth in alignment with His vision.

2017 my word was DELIGHT

2018 my word was TRUST

2019 my word was THRIVE

2020 my word was COLLABORATE

2021 word was FOCUS

2022 word was BECOME

2023 word was INTENTIONAL

2024 word was SAVOR

Receiving my One Word for 2025

I start asking the Lord for my word in September/October during the Jewish New Year. I had several possibilities I was praying about but none of them were quite right. Then one morning in late November I discovered my word.

I was having coffee on my porch as usual. I had just received some test results indicating the possibility of Parkinson's disease. My doctor's appointment, where she would explain the test results, was not for another two weeks.

As I sipped my coffee, my mind flew over all the healing scriptures I knew. And just as fast, I remembered all the people who hadn't been healed; people of faith, some who had taught healing for years. I panicked, picturing a life where I could no longer take care of myself.

Then bubbling out of my spirit I heard, Dare. Dare to believe. Dare to live. Dare to keep dreaming.

DARE

The Greek word for dare is tolmaó meaning to dare, to be bold, to have courage. According to Strong's concordance tolmaó "conveys the idea of daring or having the courage to do something that might be considered risky or challenging. It often implies a sense of boldness or audacity in the face of potential danger or opposition. In the New Testament, it is used to describe actions taken with confidence and bravery, often in the context of proclaiming the Gospel or standing firm in faith."

From HELPS Word-studies

5111 tolmáō (from tolma, "bold courage") – properly, to show daring courage necessary for a valid risk ("putting it all on the line"); courageously venture forward by putting fear behind and embracing the fruit that lies ahead for taking a necessary risk.

Merriam-Webester

1a: to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage

b: to confront boldly : defy

2: to have the courage to contend against, venture, or try

Dictionary. Com

to have the necessary courage or boldness for something; be bold enough:
to have the boldness to try; venture; hazard.
Synonyms: brave
to meet defiantly; face courageously:
to challenge or provoke (a person) into a demonstration of courage; defy

Cambridge

dare verb (BE BRAVE/RUDE)

to be brave enough to do something difficult or dangerous, or to be rude or silly enough to do something that you have no right to do:

dare noun (BRAVE ACT)

something difficult or dangerous that you do because someone asks you to do it.

Challenge accepted

That last definition was what I was feeling. Something difficult (believing) that you do because someone (God) asks you to do it. Have you ever had anyone dare you to do something? I feel like the Holy Spirit was daring me:

… to believe.

“Daughter, because you dared to believe, your faith has healed you. Go with peace in your heart, and be free from your suffering!”. Mark 5:34 TPT

…to live.

"The righteous will flourish like the date palm [long-lived, upright and useful]; They will grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic and stable]. Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper in old age; They will flourish and be vital and fresh [rich in trust and love and contentment]" Psalm 92: 112-14 AMP

…to dream.

The Lord wants us to dare to believe that He is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] (Ephesians 3:20 AMPC).

…to serve God regardless of my healing status.

"If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18

I'm still working on my One Word Journal. As you can tell, I have defined my word, have scriptures, and set some goals. I'm still working on the art journaling pages and vision board, but here are a few quotes I've chosen.

Quotes:

"Dare to believe, and then dare to speak, and you shall have whatsoever you say if you doubt not." — Smith Wigglesworth

"God takes the hard things—the unfair things, the things we don’t like—and He uses them to strengthen our faith and help us grow. God never causes pain or suffering, but He will use it to help us get to where we want to go in life. When things happen that you don’t like—even things that appear to be ruining God’s plan—that’s the perfect time to dare to believe. It’s time to trust that God can use anything and everything to help you grow, change…and walk in His perfect will for your life." — Joyce Meyer

"Dream, struggle, create, prevail. Be daring. Be brave. Be loving. Be compassionate. Be strong. Be brilliant. Be beautiful." — Caterina Fake

Have you received your One Word for 2025 yet? How did you discover it? I'd love to hear about it, so leave it in the comment section below.

P.S. The doctor came back with a diagnosis of early-stage Parkinson's. I believe that the will progression halt and reverse itself, in the name of Jesus!

It's not too late to get your One Word Journal! Click below to view and place your order.