I’ve been mulling over ideas for a word of the year for 2025. In past years, I’ve chosen “faithfulness” (multiple times!), “abundance”, and “give”, among others. I often choose a word in line with something the Lord has been bringing to my attention—an area that needs growth or greater attention or application. This year is no different.

Since before Christmas break, I’ve been dealing with pain in many of my joints, including an injury to one of my knees and occasional tweaking and pain in the other. I like to say that my knees are usually quite polite and take turns bothering me, but this time they’ve both revolted at the same time. Since I usually ignore low-level aches and pains, perhaps such drastic measures were necessary in order for me to get the message.

I’m beginning to (maybe, finally) recognize the importance of not overextending myself.

The knee woes began after a “pilates” class that I tried for the first time. It was much faster and more jumpy than you’d think a pilates class ought to be, and though I tried to adapt the crazy-fast cardio movements to fit what I was prepared for that day, I seem to have gotten hurt anyway. The pain and swelling increased over the following days, and the clicking as I walked up and down the stairs turned into pain enough to make me wish we could install an elevator.

If I’m honest, though, the reality is that overextending myself is an issue primarily because I tend to neglect the smaller, more foundational exercises that are needed for strength and stability. Most notable among these are the physical therapy exercises I’ve been assigned over the years to strengthen the muscles around my knees and shoulders, stretch out the tight IT band, neck, and limbs, and coordinate and build core strength and pelvic floor stability. All of these things work together to promote physical stability and readiness for whatever physical obstacles lay just ahead. And despite what my former-competitive-athlete self with her go-big-or-go-home mentality may still try to tell me, these small but effective exercises aren’t silly little nothings. They’re worth doing and sticking with long-term, beyond the necessary injury-recovery stage.

With all of that on my mind in December, it shouldn’t be too surprising what word I’ve chosen for 2025: STABILITY.

When the pain in my knee made walking difficult, I had to acknowledge that basic maintenance deserves more of my attention than I had been giving it. I have to invest in those things that create the most basic, most fundamental level of stability—so that I can rely on that firm footing for all kinds of other activities and pursuits. Ready to move. Ready to act. Ready to serve. Ready to stand against external pressures.

When life gets busy, it’s easy to imagine that you should throw all of your energy into the new and exciting and sometimes trying “exercises” that pop up on the schedule. But there’s real wisdom in recognizing that those strenuous events that test our strength and stamina are worth preparing for by spending some of our energy building up those “simple” and “boring” things which are foundational to all the rest.

I love word studies, so naturally I had to spend some time digging into the word I’ve chosen for the year. Here’s a definition of stability from Merriam-Webster.com:

: the quality, state, or degree of being stable: such as
a: the strength to stand or endure : firmness
b: the property of a body that causes it when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion to develop forces or moments that restore the original condition
c: resistance to chemical change or to physical disintegration

Just to flesh this out some more, here’s the definition of stable, as well:

1 a: firmly established : fixed, steadfast
stable opinions
b: not changing or fluctuating : unvarying
in stable condition
c: permanent, enduring
stable civilizations
2 a: steady in purpose : firm in resolution
b: not subject to insecurity or emotional illness : sane, rational
a stable personality
3 a(1): placed so as to resist forces tending to cause motion or change of motion
(2): designed so as to develop forces that restore the original condition when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion
b(1): not readily altering in chemical makeup or physical state
stable emulsions
(2): not spontaneously radioactive

I may not be too concerned with radioactivity, but I think I get the idea. I want to work toward a place of steadfastness and resilience, soundness of body, mind, and spirit, prepared for whatever work the Lord has set before me and also prepared to stand strong even when battered by the winds and waves of life—physical or otherwise.

Here are some scriptures I’ll be meditating on related to this theme:

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Hebrews 12:11-13

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Cor. 15:58

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, ⁸ being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:2-8

My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

Psalm 62:5-7

Related to that last Psalm, here is a song that I have enjoyed for many years:

In this new year, as I’m working toward healing by building physical stability in my legs and core, I want to meditate on what that looks like in all areas of life: spiritually, financially, in my homemaking, etc. There are a lot of ways in which my responsibilities and opportunities (for speaking, teaching, etc) are expanding, and that’s exciting. But I can’t afford to neglect those things that are most foundational, most essential—those things that build real stability for all of life.

I’m seeking to apply myself to physical therapy and adequate rest to build stability in my knees, as well as committed to a bible reading plan for 2025, but I’m also giving attention to home routines and organization so that the most basic systems that support our family’s daily life and all of our coming and going are up and running smoothly. And I want to watch my mental habits so that my thoughts and emotions are firmly rooted in the word of God and in quiet trust that He is good and in control.

I’d also like to work on stabilizing my blood sugar and losing weight, but I’m still considering what that needs to look like. (Please send help.)

So much of this comes down to habits. The little things that add up over time to build stability in every part of life. It’s basically faithfulness in the little things, with a focus on building strength and resilience. That’s the kind of stability I’m aiming for.

Do you have a word of the year for 2025? I’d love to hear about it! Share yours in the comments below!