Remember the days before we had the technology to record our favorite TV shows, watch them on Netflix, or even buy the DVD? Our family had our favorite shows such as The Dukes of Hazard, Star Search, and The Cosby Show that we looked forward to watching. We all knew what day and time our shows came on, and we worked everything else for that evening around that show time. When the new episodes came out in the fall, we were especially excited. About January, we had seen all of the new episodes, so we watched the reruns. Reruns were good, but they did not illicit the excitement that they did when they were new.
That seems to be the way many of us are with New Year’s resolutions: this is the year we are going to get to our target weight, get organized, better our financial situation, have regular personal devotion times, quit smoking, etc. While these are goals worthy of our time and effort, many of us find ourselves repeating the same resolutions from year to year, and we feel defeated when we do not reach these goals. I encourage all of us to focus on all three aspects of ourselves this year: spiritual, emotional/mental, and physical and set a goal for each aspect. How do we do this without having our resolve break before the end of January much less last throughout the year? Here are a few tips that I believe would be helpful as well as Biblical truths to encourage us throughout our journey.
- First, no plan will succeed without the Father’s help. We are weak in our humanness. We try so hard to making lasting changes, but sometimes even our best efforts fall flat. There are many factors that play into success, but the primary one is the daily strength that we draw from the Lord. Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Seek His will and commit your way to Him (Psalm 37:5). This is the basis for any plan a Christian makes. Any other way means that we are trying to accomplish a task in our own strength which is not only futile but exhausting.
- Second, make your goal attainable and measurable. “I want to get healthier” is a wonderful goal, but how exactly will you measure it? How will you know when you are as healthy as you had hoped to be this year? Examples of attainable, measurable goals include: losing 10 pounds in the next 3 months, walking 1 mile a day at least 3 days a week, getting a good head-to-toe physical check-up. These are attainable and measurable. When you achieve a goal, set another one. Always be working toward another goal. Losing 50 pounds this year is a valid goal if that is something that you and your doctor agree will improve your health, but it can feel overwhelming. Instead, break it into smaller chunks.
- Third, be excited about it and share your goals and success with others. The more you talk about your goals and get the support of loved ones, the more they can help support and encourage you. Let them know the challenges you may face along the way and weaknesses you have concerning the goal and ask for their prayer and encouragement. For example, if you have a goal of having a personal devotion time daily, share with a friend or family member what you are learning in your devotion time or seek out an accountability partner. Post your goals and success on the fridge or your bathroom mirror and celebrate your successes.
- Lastly, remember that falling down does not mean failure. Failure is falling and not getting back up. Anyone who sets a goal will fall down at some point(s). One of my favorite assurances in the Bible is that God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). So when you mess up and have that piece of pie (and the second piece), or you lose your temper (again), or when you skip that devotion time in one day (or week), remember that you have the chance to make the right choice starting in this moment: you can make better food choices at the next snack or meal time, you can hold your tongue the next time you are tempted to spout off, and you can choose to pray right now and open your Bible to receive God’s truths and worship Him.
It may be helpful to join a support group that will help you achieve your goals or seek professional counseling to help you work through personal challenges that may be barriers to your reaching your goals. Get involved with the Girlfriend Ministry or a small group at your church to help disciple you into a deeper relationship with Christ. Whatever it is you resolve to do, recognize that you will fall off the wagon at some point (actually multiple points), but get back up with Christ’s help and get back on the wagon and keep going and give Him the glory when you reach those goals!