At the beginning of every year, many New Year’s resolutions are made and promptly broken within a few months or even a few days.
Why is it so for us hard for us to keep our resolutions? It’s because we don’t involve God in the process of setting our goals. This year, when you make your New Year’s Resolutions, put a spiritual focus on them by following these biblical principles.
1. Pleasing the Lord with Your Goals
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
As you make your resolutions, make them with the Lord in mind. Think about what areas of your character you know God would be pleased for you to change. Ask God, “What do You what me to do with my life this year?”
2. Be Realistic
Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
Don’t set yourself up for failure by picking goals that are impracticable. You’ll become discouraged and give up before you see any results. Instead, select a few goals that are most important. Make sure that the goals stretch you a little beyond your comfort zone but are still attainable. Rome wasn’t built in a day and your goals shouldn’t try to revamp your whole life in one year.
3. Define Specific Steps for Each Goal
Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Jesus had a plan for everything he did. There was never a time when he “winged” it. Don’t expect to be successful without a plan. Each goal needs to be defined in terms of the steps that are needed to see the goal to fruition. Be specific and write down exactly how you will accomplish each goal.
4. Set a Completion Date for Each Goal
Proverbs 20:4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
You also need to set a time frame for achieving each goal, otherwise the temptation to put off or forget about your resolutions will bring you to the end of the year without any victories. Don’t be like the sluggard who looks for a harvest but finds nothing. Plow in season so that you will have something to reap at harvest time.
5. Praying Daily About Your Goals
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
When we put God in charge of our goals we will succeed. It is His promise!
6. Monitor Your Progress
2 Chronicles 24:13a The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them.
Set a time every month to review your goals and check your progress. If you are diligent you will see progress. You might even want to develop a chart so that you can chronicle your progress. As you achieve each goal you can reward yourself with a predetermined prize such as going to your favorite restaurant or a new outfit.
7. Don’t Give Up
James 5:11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Don’t give up when you blow it. When you miss the mark, get back up and keep trying. You only fail when you quit.
Below are two categories – among many – from which you can select your resolutions.
1. Spiritual
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Spiritual goals can be anything that will help you to grow in your relationship with God: committing to reading the Bible and praying daily, praying about and working on changing an area of your character that is not in line with God’s will (ask your spouse or a friend for input).
2. Family
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
About the author: Martha Matthews is a wife, mother, and Executive Director of Christian-Homemaking.com, a Web site dedicated to helping Christians succeed.
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