What’s Your Resolution?

This is the time of year we set resolutions. We make commitments to do— or not to docertain things during the coming year. So often, resolutions are broken within the first 30 days of making them. So — what will keep us on track this year? I believe there are four primary components that help us remain faithful to our resolutions: Evaluation — Courage — Perseverance — Accountability

• Evaluationpresents checks and balances. It deters us from making unnecessary, ungodly, or unrealistic commitments.
• Couragegives us the ability to complete difficult tasks. It equips us to face our challenges head on, even when we’re discouraged or afraid.
• Perseverance helps us see past our problems. It inspires us to press on and encourages us to overcome any obstacle standing in our way.
• Accountabilityprovides support. It emboldens us to overcome opposition, whether internal or external, and helps us prevail when distracted or distressed.

Our greatest source for these four ingredients begins with our close – personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (1 Chronicles 16:11). When our resolutions honor God, He will help us keep them. God will direct our path, support our efforts, and give us everything we need to accomplish our resolutions.

God’s Word encourages us repeatedly to examine our ways(Lamentations 3:40; 1 Corinthians 11:28), be strong and courageous(Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7),do not give up(Galatians 6:9; Romans 5:3-5), and hold one-another accountable(1 Thessalonians 5:11; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

There’s no better time than today to incorporate these four primary components into your New Year’s resolutions. Grab a piece of paper and a pen, then work your way through the following four steps and let this year be the year you remain faithful to your resolutions.

1. Write your resolutions on your piece of paper and pray over them. It’s a proven statistic that you are much more likely to achieve your goals when you have written them down.
2. Evaluate your resolutions to ensure they are godly, necessary, and realistic. Consider discussing them with a trusted friend who will give you godly, honest advice.
3. Write the following passages on note cards and read them daily. Allow God’s Word to inspire you to lean on Him for courage. Philippians 4:13; Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7; and Psalm 27:14.
4. Write the following passages on note cards and read them daily. Allow God’s Word to inspire you to persevere when the going gets tough. Galatians 6:9; Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4; Hebrews 12:1-2; and James 1:12.
5. Ask a trusted Christian friend or loved one to hold you accountable in your commitment. Encourage them to ask you regularly for a report of your progress.

^“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.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27a