In just a couple of days, we will turn our calendars over to a brand new year. I remember the first time my parents allowed me to stay up until midnight on Dec. 31. I was so looking forward to whatever it was that made that moment so magical.

And then it came … and it went … and to this day, I still don’t get it. I guess the fact that I don’t drink has something to do with it. But I just do not get terribly excited about ringing in the new year.

But … I do look forward with anticipation to this new year. I am not able to foresee the future, but I know that exciting things are going to happen this year. There will be exciting events in the life of my church family. You never know what might happen with your family. And who knows? Maybe this will be the year I finally get that first hole-in-one on the golf course.

Of course, it could be a year filled heartaches and frustrations. Certainly, that is possible. There could be an unexpected illness or accident just around the corner. And no one seems to know what the economy actually will do.

And that is why it is so important that we understand this one fact: No matter what comes our way, God is ready to stand with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. No matter what happens, he will help us.

It has been said (and, in fact, I have said) that God will never place more on us than we can handle. I have come to believe that is not exactly right. There may come a time when more will be on our plates that we can handle. But that is OK because we need not handle it alone. It is true that God will never give us more than he can handle.

The key is to allow him to handle it. Too many times, we are like children who say, “I can do it.” I once said that in church as I reached and snatched the Lord’s Supper tray (yes, the one with the juice) from the deacon to pass it to my mother. I do not know if she ever got that stain out of her dress. I know that I have never forgotten that day, for a variety of reasons. But the fact is that I could not do it alone; I needed help.

We all need help. And the Bible says, “The Lord is a very present help in a time of trouble.” I’m so glad that the Lord will help us. I know he will help you if you will allow him to do so. Let the year 2013 be the one where you surrender all of your life, troubles and trials, as well as your victories, to him. Let him carry the burden. He is able and willing to do so.