A New You

Read: Philippians 3:10-15
 

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:13

 

 

     It seems that everyone is familiar with the idea that New Year’s resolutions are supposed to be made and broken within a couple weeks of the beginning of the new year. At least that is the way many people act like New Year’s resolutions are supposed to work. I suppose it is because many people live their lives that way. It takes a lot of character and discipline to decide to make changes in your life and then stick with those changes. A New Year’s resolution can be anything from deciding to read the Bible and pray more, to deciding to get back into shape, to deciding to save money to go on a nice vacation. The number of resolutions that you could make is huge, but you know yourself best. You are the only one who can decide which changes would be best for you. Here are a few suggestions to help your New Year’s resolutions last longer than the time it took to make them:

 

·         Make a chart with all of your resolutions listed on it. Research says that it takes twenty-one days to make something a habit. Check off each item in the list as you do it every day, and in three weeks it will be a habit.

 

·         Make yourself accountable to someone else regarding your resolution. Tell a trusted friend of your desire to read your Bible or pray more, and ask them to ask you each day or every couple days if you are sticking to it. Decide to meet someone each morning for prayer and Bible study if you are trying to become more like Christ. Get a workout partner if you are trying to get fit. You are much more likely to reach your goal if you know someone else will be let down if you don’t keep your resolution.

 

·         Ask for help in ways that you can keep your resolution. Your parents or counselors will be excited to hear that you are trying to make changes in your life and can give you valuable insight into things that will help you reach your goals.

 

·         Ask God to help you continue in your resolution. This is the most important step. God can help you through the times when you want to quit on your goal.

 

     Keeping a resolution requires patience and persistence. Mix that with a healthy dose of determination, and with God’s help, you will have a winning combination to help you become the person you want to be in the new year.

 

 

Quote of the day: “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”