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Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?
Where do you fit?
- You totally dismiss the idea.
- You make one but, based on past behavior, know you won’t keep it.
- You make one with excitement and you're disappointed when you fail.
- You make a one and keep it.- Congratulations!
I waver between the second and third one, but I cling to the hope that each year will be better.
There are the old stand-bys:
1. I’m going to lose weight.
I remember the year I resolved to lose 20 pounds and I had the chainsaw in the garage to prove it! Well, I didn't lose 20 pounds and I chickened out on the whole chainsaw thing.
2. I’m going to exercise.
I bought an expensive gym membership. Surely if I paid for it, I’d go.
Turns out, money’s not that great a motivator.
3. I’m going to eat better.
That worked - until I saw that carton of Rocky Road ice cream in the store.
4. I’m going to finish ----. Fill in the blank.
Unfortunately, I had about twenty things to put in that blank. I threw my hands up in defeat.
Anyone else out there with these problems?
Ah Ha!!!Then I found the secret.
Our resolutions fail because they start in the wrong place:
With our desires, rooted in our strength.
The heart of every resolution must be rooted in God.
That tweaked my conscience.
Do I make resolutions without spending time with God?
Yep.
So, I tried to stop saying, “I’m going to…” and started asking God, “What do I need to change?”
Then it happened: I started hearing things about discipline; my devotionals focused on discipline; my time in Scripture directed me to stories about people who weren't disciplined.
I’m pretty dense so it took a while to dawn on me: Discipline!
Without the discipline to obey God, without His strength, I can do nothing.
Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do
nothing.” John 15:5
My Year’s resolution is to pray for more discipline.
Of course, at 12:02 AM on New Year’s Day, I stumbled.
Did I break my resolution?
NO! I probably dented it, but I didn't break it. God always catches me before I fall. He stands me up, dusts me off, and promises,
"His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22b-23
How do we find success with our resolutions?
Begin with God!!
My resolution for 2014: Discipline
Do you have a resolution?
Great post, Sherry! For my resolutions, I wait until December 31 to make them for the previous year. That way, I can't break them. But your post is a LOT better an idea than mine. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't replied sooner, Markee. My internet service was down.
DeleteHmm...no, your idea might be better. I can be disciplined for a few hours :)
Thanks for this Sherry. My word is focus on God. In all I do focus on Him. Boy have I failed. Your blog. is just what I need to help me focus and discipline myself in the winter of my life. I know what I would like to happen, but if it not God's plan for me it is just hay and stubble. I would hate to think what I have been doing is not what God wants. FOCUS on Him
ReplyDeleteNo, Jean, you haven't failed. You desire to serve God is all He asks. The rest is revealed as you walk done the path and He enables your every step. God's Word is written in your heart and it will not come back void!
DeleteSherry, thank you for this encouraging word. Grounding my resolutions in God reminds me of the Psalmists instruction to "delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."
ReplyDelete"Delight yourself in the Lord." That's a perfect New Year's resolution. Do that and all else falls on place. Thanks for the comment, Tina.
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