Today we’re continuing our One Word 2026 series, and I’m offering you two more invitations to consider for the year ahead: grateful and peaceful. My heart for this series is simple—I want you to listen for what God might be forming in you as you look back on 2025 and step into 2026 with intention. Gratitude can feel “easy” in theory, but it actually takes attention and practice, because it’s so easy to drift into discontent without realizing it. And peace isn’t about having a quiet, trouble-free life—it’s the kind of inner calm Jesus gives that can hold steady even when your soul feels disturbed. We’ll look at Luke 17 (the one healed leper who comes back to give thanks) and Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel (how she leaves God’s presence with peace before her circumstances change), and I’ll invite you to imagine what might happen if you learned to give thanks in every circumstance—and to bring your turbulence to God so He can exchange it for His peace.

What I'll Share:


A clear picture of gratitude as a posture and discipline—not just a personality trait or a fleeting feeling.


A challenge to notice the “opposite spirit” of gratitude (discontent, dissatisfaction, thanklessness) and how easily we slip into it without attention.


A practical invitation to give thanks in every circumstance, including the hard or unwanted parts of life, by asking God how He might be shaping you through them.


A fresh understanding of gratitude as a catalyst for love, creating space in your heart for compassion and care for others.


A biblical framework for peace as “freedom from disturbance”—not merely the absence of fear or trouble.


A way to recognize agitation in your body and soul (tight jaw, tense shoulders, restless energy) and treat it as an invitation to bring your heart to God.


Encouragement from Hannah’s story that peace can be real before answers arrive—because peace comes from God’s presence, not perfect outcomes.


Two simple affirmations you can practice all year if either word becomes your focus for 2026.

Bible Verses Mentioned:


Philippians 1


1 Thessalonians 5:18


Luke 17


John 14:27


1 Samuel 1–2

Resources Mentioned


Free One Word 2026 reflection guide:Nicoleunice.com/newyear/

Today we&rsquo;re continuing our One Word 2026 series, and I&rsquo;m offering you two more invitations to consider for the year ahead: grateful and peaceful. My heart for this series is simple&mdash;I want you to listen for what God might be forming in you as you look back on 2025 and step into 2026 with intention. Gratitude can feel &ldquo;easy&rdquo; in theory, but it actually takes attention and practice, because it&rsquo;s so easy to drift into discontent without realizing it. And peace isn&rsquo;t about having a quiet, trouble-free life&mdash;it&rsquo;s the kind of inner calm Jesus gives that can hold steady even when your soul feels disturbed. We&rsquo;ll look at Luke 17 (the one healed leper who comes back to give thanks) and Hannah&rsquo;s story in 1 Samuel (how she leaves God&rsquo;s presence with peace before her circumstances change), and I&rsquo;ll invite you to imagine what might happen if you learned to give thanks in every circumstance&mdash;and to bring your turbulence to God so He can exchange it for His peace.
What I'll Share:
<ul data-start="1693" data-end="2799">
<li data-start="1693" data-end="1809">
A clear picture of gratitude as a posture and discipline&mdash;not just a personality trait or a fleeting feeling.
</li>
<li data-start="1810" data-end="1969">
A challenge to notice the &ldquo;opposite spirit&rdquo; of gratitude (discontent, dissatisfaction, thanklessness) and how easily we slip into it without attention.
</li>
<li data-start="1970" data-end="2140">
A practical invitation to give thanks in every circumstance, including the hard or unwanted parts of life, by asking God how He might be shaping you through them.
</li>
<li data-start="2141" data-end="2272">
A fresh understanding of gratitude as a catalyst for love, creating space in your heart for compassion and care for others.
</li>
<li data-start="2273" data-end="2384">
A biblical framework for peace as &ldquo;freedom from disturbance&rdquo;&mdash;not merely the absence of fear or trouble.
</li>
<li data-start="2385" data-end="2547">
A way to recognize agitation in your body and soul (tight jaw, tense shoulders, restless energy) and treat it as an invitation to bring your heart to God.
</li>
<li data-start="2548" data-end="2699">
Encouragement from Hannah&rsquo;s story that peace can be real before answers arrive&mdash;because peace comes from God&rsquo;s presence, not perfect outcomes.
</li>
<li data-start="2700" data-end="2799">
Two simple affirmations you can practice all year if either word becomes your focus for 2026.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2801" data-end="2804">
Bible Verses Mentioned:
<ul data-start="2854" data-end="2958">
<li data-start="2854" data-end="2875">
Philippians 1
</li>
<li data-start="2876" data-end="2904">
1 Thessalonians 5:18
</li>
<li data-start="2905" data-end="2920">
Luke 17
</li>
<li data-start="2921" data-end="2939">
John 14:27
</li>
<li data-start="2940" data-end="2958">
1 Samuel 1&ndash;2
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2960" data-end="2963">
Resources Mentioned
<ul data-start="3317" data-end="3414" data-is-last-node="">
<li data-start="2992" data-end="3061">
Free One Word 2026 reflection guide: <a href="https://nicoleunice.kit.com/newyear">Nicoleunice.com/newyear/</a>
</li>
</ul>

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do!

But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way.

In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 

Topics covered in this podcast:

💡 Three Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible
💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life
💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!)
💡 Topical Bible study lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and more
💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life
💡 4 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture

To find more from Nicole, visit https://nicoleunice.com/.

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do! But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way. In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 
Topics covered in this podcast:
💡 Three Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible 💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life 💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!) 💡 Topical Bible study lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and more 💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life 💡 4 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture
To find more from Nicole, visit <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a>.

How to Study the Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do!

But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way.

In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 

Topics covered in this podcast:

💡 Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible
💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life
💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!)
💡 Topical Bible Study Lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and More
💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life
💡 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture

To find more from Nicole, visit https://nicoleunice.com/.

As Christians, we want to experience God through the Bible… we really do! But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel dynamic and important and alive often feels confusing and boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to feel this way. In this bible study podcast, pastor and Bible teacher Nicole Unice brings life back to reading the Bible by walking listeners through her Alive Method of Bible study, helping us personally encounter God through His Word by giving us a practical, clear road map for understanding, interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives. 
Topics covered in this podcast:
💡 Common Obstacles to Understanding the Bible 💡The Basics of Bible Study (Observation, Interpretation) and How to Apple the Bible to Your Life 💡Deep Dive into Bible Studies by Books of the Bible (We've covered Ecclesiastes, Romans, Matthew, and more!) 💡 Topical Bible Study Lessons on Joy, Contentment, Prayer and More 💡 Spiritual Rhythms: Creating New Rhythms in Your Life 💡 Principles You Need to Interpret Difficult Scripture
To find more from Nicole, visit <a href="https://nicoleunice.com/">https://nicoleunice.com/</a>.

How To Study The Bible - Bible Study Made Simple

Want a Calmer, Kinder Year? Gratitude or Peace Could Be Your One Word Focus in 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/13523cd0-8302-4a9d-9781-b3d601406b1d/transcript