Skip to Content

Falling Short Is Not the End of the Story

January 21, 2026
Stephanie Eshelman

By this point in the year, many people are quietly wondering the same thing: “Why does it already feel like my New Year’s resolutions are slipping away?” If that’s you, take a deep breath. You are not alone.

Many resolutions are built on willpower alone. And willpower can only carry us so far. When life gets busy, stress creeps in, and motivation fades, it is easy to feel defeated. But an early stumble does not mean the story is over.

There are moments when discouragement settles in, and it feels easier to give up than keep going. But God never intended for us to walk through those moments alone.

Jesus is our light. When things feel dark, His presence brings clarity, hope, and direction. Even when we fall short, His light remains steady.

Here are a few verses from Scripture that remind us of that truth.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” – Psalm 119:105

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” – Psalm 27:1

More SHINE Daily

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. A cookie is a small text file containing information that a website transfers to your computer’s hard disk for record-keeping purposes and allows us to analyze our site traffic patterns. It does not contain chocolate chips, you cannot eat it, and there is no special hidden jar.

Accept