In this reflective sermon, Josh Hofford looks back at 2025 and shares key lessons God taught him through devotional time, trusted friends, and times of difficulty. He begins by asking the congregation to consider major news stories and family events from the past year, emphasizing that we should "look back to learn, but not to stare." Josh shares that God has been training him to walk through normal daily assignments while trusting Him completely.

The first major lesson is that God is working even when we don't see it at the time, referencing Hebrews 12:9-13 about discipline yielding peaceful fruit later. Josh emphasizes the importance of daily devotional time, noting that Sunday church attendance alone cannot sustain us through life's challenges. He shares personal examples about his three children and how God has been faithful to them as they've grown and faced their own difficulties. The second lesson involves choosing counselors carefully, drawing from Jeremiah 23:16-18 and the story of King Rehoboam in First Kings 12. Josh warns against taking counsel from those who don't stand in God's council, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom from those who know and obey God's Word rather than simply following popular trends or peer advice.