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1. Don’t make your resolutions all about you.
Usually when we make resolutions, the focus is “I” . Statements that might sound like, I need to lose weight. I need to exercise more. I need to stop smoking. I need to spend more time with family. I need to foster friendships. I need to get a new job. Pay off debts. Take a vacation. You probably have a few “I” resolutions in your mind right now. But what if you made resolutions focused on others, instead of ourselves? A New Year’s resolution is an opportunity to think about we can make a difference, and change something other than just “me” Make a resolution that will impact the lives of others in a positive way, or open doors to share what God has done in your life, or meet the needs of someone else in a special way throughout the year, or volunteering in your community. And as we strive to positively affect others, we also will be positively affected in many ways.
2. Make resolutions that you actually feel passionate about.
Yes, maybe you want to lose a few pounds. But are you passionate about doing that? Will it completely change your life and those around you? If so, then go for it!! Our health always needs to be a priority, because if we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of others. But rather than choose a cookie cutter resolution, think of something you are passionate about doing or accomplishing – something outside of the box – and make a commitment to work towards it. How exciting it will be to look back over the year and be able to see the results of hard work and dedication, and the benefits of pouring ourselves into something we love.
3. Keep resolutions feasible and simple.
We all have lofty goals, but setting our sights too high just sets us up for disappointment. Have a vision of what you want to do, and prayerfully seek God’s guidance on how to pursue it. Just keep it feasible. Setting a resolution to make a million dollars, become a NY Times best seller, or the President of a major ministry or organization, sounds awesome – but not realistic. Start small, take one step at a time, and strive for what God has laid on your heart. Remember Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” If God placed the dream (aka, resolution) in your heart, He will bring it to fruition in His timing.
4. Focus on the biblical promise that your life matters to God.
Why should I make a resolution? I’m sure I won’t be successful. What difference does it make anyway. Why try? Who even cares? Ever had these thoughts? Sometimes past failures or a lack of confidence prevent us from making resolutions at all. We think we can’t change, our circumstances or limitations won’t change, so we give up on even resolving to make changes at all. But your life does matter, and in Christ we can do all things. What we see as impossible, He sees as possible, and most importantly, He sees the potential in all of us. He sees us doing all those great things we only dream of and can’t fathom accomplishing. He sees our dreams and deepest desires as possibilities because we matter to Him. Spend some time in prayer asking God what resolutions to make this year, instead of getting ideas from infomercials or worldly standards, and then commit to seeking His voice as the year progresses.
What resolutions has God laid on your heart for 2015? I’d love to hear from you as we embark on a new year of walking in faith together!
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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.
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I am not sure what resolutions God will reveal to me this year as of yet. I know that I have an empthatic heart, knit a little bit, and am a hairstylist by trade. Something in those areas I could use to help someone in need, or to pass on God’s tender loving mercy to someone. Not sure how to get started, but with prayer I know God will guide me. Thank you for giving us a better idea of resolutions this year!
Thanks for the insight on why I haven’t set any new year resolutions. I am stuck and afraid of making yet another bad decision. My thoughts are mostly about losing weight but my motives are to attract a godly husband, totally selfish. Thank you again, Tracie, for writing so relevant!
Why would you say someone who has a goal of making a million dollars, becoming President of an organization or having a best seller is unrealistic. Maybe God has given them that vision and they are striving for it. You are a best seller novelist. I am sure you had that goal at one time in your life. If someone had told you it was unrealistic; would you have stopped. Joseph told his brothers his dream of becoming ruler; they thought his becoming ruler was unrealistic ; even his father rebuked him. however, Joseph never stopped reminding them of his dream. David was a shepherd boy; yet he became a king over Israel. There is nothing simple about God and as unbelievers in Christ; we can set such goals, especially when God has laid it on our hearts. God has given me one of those goals in my heart and despite how big it looks — it is not unrealistic because God is in the details.
Dear Pat – you are so right! I’m sorry if you misunderstood my intention in that statement. If God lays something on our hearts, then we should definitely strive for it. I have definintely watched Him help me meet goals that seemed totally crazy years ago. But I’ve learned that if our dream or goal seems bigger than we can handle or beyond our wildest imagination, then it could very well be from God because we will need to depend on Him to accomplish it! My point was that we sometimes set unrealistic goals for ourselves – such as trying to become President without being ready to devote the time and dedication to achieve it; or planning to become an overnight millionaire, without strategizing exactly how we can accomplish and attaching a realistic timetable. Therefore we set ourselves up for discouragement. But I totally agree with you – let’s all set lofty goals if God puts those goals in our hearts! If God has put a dream in your heart than He will help you bring it to fruition – no matter how unrealistic it seems at first. In fact, if it seems bigger than what we can do on our own, it’s definitely God-inspired! However, I was just suggesting that we make sure we are setting goals that are realistic within a certain time frame, and that we pray to discern the goals God might inspire for us. Anything God calls us to will be a journey of hard work, sacrifice, dedication and trusting His timing – but no goal is too big if He is in the center of it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opening up this dialogue! 🙂
My goal for 2015 is to ALLOW Jesus to open my heart, soul, mind and body completely to Him. To allow Christ to show me the way! Instead of always trying to do everything by myself, trying to fix everything by myself, trying to please everyone myself, loving everyone and never feeling loved or appreciated. Never giving enough time to myself or to our Lord. Never allowing Jesus to take complete control of my life. Always holding back, trying to prove to Him that I’m good enough for Him to love me, that I’m trying my best to earn His love, His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace. I want to allow Jesus to heal me spiritually, physically, emotionally, inside and out. I want to truly be a Jesus Girl this year!