It’s that time of year when I find myself facing the question, “Do I make a New Year’s Resolution or not?”  Making (and inevitably breaking) resolutions are a love/hate relationship for me, making me nearly go into a complete panic at the thought of it. I have struggled with the practice of this for several years because I know that if I resolve to change something in my life on January 1st, by February 1st, I’m likely to be highly disappointed! 

Diets broken.

Workouts neglected.

Organization plans abandoned.

Goals forgotten.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of fresh starts, clean slates, and new beginnings. Something about the new year laid out before me is exciting and motivates me to be better and do differently than the year before. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for those good intentions to fall flat. 

Many of us find that the golden shine of New Year’s resolutions dims and becomes more of a burden and source of guilt than a practice of healthy habits. 

As human beings living in a fallen and fallible world, we have a deep desire to take stock of what needs to change and then choose what will make us better, healthier, and happier. We want to be more intentional about doing things that will enrich our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives. There is something inherently hopeful, but for some reason, we soon lose our motivation and zeal to follow through. 

Failing to stick to New Year’s resolutions is multifaceted, but as I’ve reflected on my own making and breaking of them over the years, I’ve come to understand something fundamental. When I focus on the negative habits, actions, and attitudes that need to stop or change, I’m focusing on the problem instead of what causes it in the first place. Sure, I need to lose weight and start exercising, be more intentional with my finances, and become more serious about being better organized and getting my life together. However, when my focus is on the problem, I get stuck and discouraged.

Good intentions to change unhealthy habits are great motivators, but those good intentions don’t always translate into follow-throughToto truly make lasting changes in daily habits and mindsets, we have to come to some sort of understanding about why we make unhealthy choices to begin with by looking at the root of the problem.  

Making resolutions, whether it’s at the beginning of a New Year, as we face another birthday, or just on a random Monday because we know that something needs to change, is not going to last if we aren’t willing to get to the heart of the issues. Too often, we look at making resolutions as a way to work on self-improvement, when what is most beneficial is looking at how God wants to change us to become more like Jesus. . . He is more interested in our soul improvement.

I’ve discovered in the past several years that the root cause of the negative habits, mindsets, and attitudes in my life stem from things I believe to be true but are actually lies that the enemy wants to convince me of so he can keep me stuck in a cycle of unhealthy thought patterns, actions, and behaviors. Satan wants to keep me from truly experiencing the abundant and joy-filled life God offers. He wants to keep me ineffective in what God has prepared for me to do.

Satan’s tactics haven’t changed much since the beginning in the garden when he convinced Eve to take a bite of something that God had said was off-limits. He works those same tricks in our lives today. . . convincing us that what God has determined is best is holding us back from something better. The truth is that there will never be anything better than God’s best. 

If I look at the New Year in front of me with eyes on what is temporal and fleeting, then chances are pretty good I’m not going to stick with any kind of resolution I make. Situations will arise that work to frustrate and discourage me, and those well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions will soon fall flat. But if I look at my life through the lens of God’s Word, I’m better able to determine what needs to be brought into alignment with His truth, allowing me to experience true health, joy, and satisfaction.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT) says, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 

If we keep our eyes on the prize God has for us, making and maintaining any kind of resolution has a whole new meaning. We make determined decisions for change with the truth of eternity in mind, not based on what is happening in the here and now. 

If I make the decision to start living a healthier, more active lifestyle, it’s because my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. I don’t belong to myself, for God bought me with a high price, so I must honor God with my body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, my paraphrase).  And “whatever I eat and drink, I should do it all for the glory of God! (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Or if I resolve to be a better steward and work toward a more godly attitude towards our finances, it’s based on the truth that I should honor the Lord with my wealth and the best part of anything I produce. (Proverbs 3:9). God’s Word tells me not to love money but to be satisfied with what I have because, ultimately, money will fail and disappoint me, but He will never fail or abandon me. (Hebrews 13:5).

And when I choose to make a resolution to be more organized, in the light of God’s will for my life, it’s not for the benefit of posting picture-perfect scenarios on social media to make people think I have it all together as a wife and a mother. It’s because the bible encourages me to be a wife of noble character, virtuous, and capable. Because choosing to make a new years resolution to take care of my family well will enrich their lives and bring them good, not harm all the days of my life (Proverbs 31:10-12). He will establish my steps when I delight in His way, and even when I stumble, I will never fall, for the Lord holds me by the hand (Psalm 37:23-24).

Making resolutions based on the truth of God’s Word is a way to ensure that those good intentions lead to a happy and satisfied life. Not because life is always happy and satisfying but because it will be a life well lived with a determination to follow and obey the Lord. Seeking His truth over the enemy’s lies gives us a firm foundation that allows those resolutions to make lasting and steadfast changes. 

If you struggle with the thoughts holding you captive, The Truth Journal is a helpful resource in finding freedom through the truth of God’s Word. You can order a copy here https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Journal-30-Day-Guided-Combat/dp/B0BMSZSDQH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VEZV4J7NGDXM&keywords=the+truth+journal%2C+jana+fraley&qid=1672323893&sprefix=the+truth+jou%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1