Ending 2025 — Examining the Heart Without Condemnation

J. A. Fisch
Dec 31, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Dec 31

Scripture:

Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

²⁴See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

-Psalm 139:23-24

Additional Reading: Lamentations 3:40, 1 Corinthians 11:28, Romans 8:1, Hebrews 12:11, Psalm 26:2, Psalm 51:10, Proverbs 4:23

Intro:

As this year comes to an end, many feel the pull to evaluate their lives—what changed, what stayed the same, what quietly slipped by unnoticed. Scripture does not call us to end a season with self-condemnation or regret, but with honest reflection before God.

Psalm 139 invites us into a sacred posture: not searching ourselves endlessly, but allowing the Lord to search us. This kind of examination is not rooted in fear, but in trust. It is the gentle act of placing our hearts before the One who knows us fully and loves us completely.

Ending the year this way creates space—not for shame, but for clarity; not for judgment, but for renewal. Before we step into what is next, we pause, listen, and let God realign what only He can see.

Examination of the Heart

As the year comes to a close, it is natural to pause and look back. Moments resurface—some marked by growth and gratitude, others by regret or unanswered questions. Yet Scripture does not invite us to end a season by measuring our success or tallying our failures. Instead, it invites us to come before God with open hearts and honest posture.

Psalm 139 does not begin with self-inspection; it begins with surrender. “Search me, God.” David does not assume he sees himself clearly. He entrusts his heart to the One who does. This is not a fearful request, but a faithful one. It acknowledges that God’s knowledge is deeper than our self-awareness and His love steadier than our self-judgment.

Biblical self-examination is never meant to spiral into shame. When God searches the heart, He does so as a loving Father, not a harsh critic. Scripture is clear—there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. What the Lord reveals, He reveals to heal. What He brings to light, He invites us to surrender so that restoration can follow.

Ending the year in this posture shifts the focus from performance to presence. We are not asking, “Did I do enough?” but rather, “Lord, where have I drifted, and where are You leading me next?” This kind of reflection creates clarity, humility, and readiness for renewal. It allows God to realign motives, soften hardened places, and strengthen what has grown weary.

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, we do not rush forward carrying unresolved weight. We pause. We listen. We trust the God who knows our anxious thoughts and still leads us in the everlasting way. Ending the year this way is not weakness—it is wisdom. It is choosing to step forward lighter, surrendered, and guided by the hand of God.

Reflection Questions

As you look back over this year, what areas of your heart do you sense God gently inviting you to place before Him without fear?
In what ways has God been faithful to lead, correct, or sustain you this year—even in moments you didn’t fully understand at the time?
As you step toward a new year, what does it look like for you to trust God to lead you “in the way everlasting” rather than carrying unresolved weight forward?