“For the year 2026, our zodiac horoscope for Rat is not good. It clashes. We must be careful in the new year.” This was the gentle warning sent to me over WhatsApp by my best friend from university, as 2025 drew to a close.

In my reply to her, I said that this was just superstition. But deep inside my heart, I started to become a little wary of “bad” things…

… why couldn’t I end the year 2025 well? Everything had been smooth until the final week. Was it really the curse of the horoscope?

It also didn’t help that I had a work incident in the final week of the year due to my own carelessness that led to some trouble.

The stress caused an eczema flare-up for the very first time on my face. The discomfort forced me to visit a doctor on the last working day for the year, and I was given two days of medical leave.

It seemed like the beginning of trouble after trouble. I wondered, why couldn’t I end the year 2025 well? Everything had been smooth until the final week. Was it really the curse of the horoscope?

In my mind, I knew that I need not fear what the horoscope says as I have God – but my heart chose to be suspicious at times.

Those two days of medical leave cancelled my new year plans. It was two days spent mostly at home – drowsily under the effects of the medication – but they gave me plenty of time for rest and reflection.

It felt unusual to be without plans, but maybe God was using this season to teach me to rest.

No longer slaves

During that period of rest, I brought my fear of the horoscope and superstition to God.

I found comfort in Him, and was reminded that I had already renounced things like these when I said the sinner’s prayer years ago.

From the day I accepted Christ, the Spirit of God dwells within me (1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:9). I am a child of God (Romans 8:14-15). For those reasons, I am longer a slave to fear because I have been brought from darkness into the light.

My life is now hidden in Christ (Galatians 2:20) and it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me. It is a new life in Christ.

I was affirmed that I am no longer a slave to superstition or any ungodly beliefs that do not come from Christ.

Being assured in my faith, I sought the Lord about how I should respond as a believer in the season to come – Chinese New Year.

Conversations about superstition and horoscopes would be even more amplified then; my friends and relatives would surely discuss them during Chinese New Year gatherings.

I knew there would be the temptation for me to agree with what the majority believes as I do not like conflict. And if I am not careful, I may go with the flow of these conversations with my friends and relatives and agree with their views.

And so, I was certain that I needed to be rooted in God about this.

With these temptations, I knew it was a time for me to be engaged in God’s Word and allow His Word to fill my mind (Proverbs 4:21, Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2) so that I will not be swayed by fear.

After all, His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). His Word is life-giving (John 6:63), joy-giving (John 15:11) and gives us a sense of security (Isaiah 26:3).

I reminded myself that I am part of God’s chosen generation and royal priesthood called out to His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

I am His.

Representing Christ rightly

However, being rooted and secured in Christ does not spare me from the conversations that my friends and relatives may bring up about horoscope.

I thought about how I can respond to the conversations winsomely. Since God is love (1 John 4:7), I must show God’s love to people around me to represent Him correctly.

As God’s wisdom is gentle and peaceable (James 3:17), a conversation about horoscope could be an opportunity to share my personal testimony of how God has saved me and helped me to break free of fear and superstition.

I could share about how I dabbled in wrong beliefs which only gave me more fear until I came to Christ. I can show genuine concern by offering to pray for my friends and relatives at the end of such conversations as we step into the Chinese New Year.

God will not let those who trust and believe in Him be disappointed (Romans 10:11). He is a promise keeper and way-maker.

His assurances give me hope that as I step into 2026 – it is His Word about me that counts as I belong to Him. Christ’s finished work on the cross sets me free from fear and unbelief. 

This Chinese New Year, the best gift I can give to my friends and relatives is to share with them how Christ allows us to live with freedom for His purpose, without fear.

Because of God’s grace, we can step forth into 2026 with peace and not fear!