A new year has a way of making us honest.
Not the loud, performative kind of honest—but the quiet kind. The kind that sits with you when resolutions fade and reality shows up.
Many of us step into a new year promising to be stronger. But what if strength this year doesn’t look like carrying more? What if it looks like carrying less—and letting someone help?
We often treat asking for help like a failure we’re trying to avoid before January even settles in. We set goals to fix everything privately, silently, and quickly. And when we can’t, shame starts talking.
But needing help isn’t a bad way to start a year. It might be the healthiest one.
Studies show that nearly half of adults delay asking for help because they don’t want to appear weak. New years don’t erase that pressure—they often amplify it. New calendar. Same expectations. Same unspoken rules.
Scripture offers a different framework:
“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2 (CSB)
That verse doesn’t sound like a last resort. It sounds like a design.
A new year is not a demand to have everything figured out. It’s an invitation to stop pretending you do. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re behind—it means you’re paying attention.
Sometimes God doesn’t change the situation overnight. Sometimes He changes who walks with you through it. Counselors. Friends. Pastors. Trusted voices. People who don’t rush you or shame you for needing support.
And here’s the truth many of us need to hear as the year turns: shame thrives on isolation. Growth doesn’t.
Even Jesus accepted help when the weight was heavy. That wasn’t weakness. That was obedience unfolding through community.
So if you’re entering this year tired, unsure, or quietly overwhelmed—consider this your permission slip:
This can be the year you stop carrying everything alone.
Not because you failed.
But because you’re ready to heal.
District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Professional and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.
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Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr.
District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Professional and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.