Another new year means another examination of my life to figure out what I need to do to improve myself in the next year. Sometimes I love the “New Year’s resolution” idea. Sometimes I hate it. As women, I think we push so hard towards the end of the year with all of the expectations that go along with Thanksgiving and Christmas. By the time New Year’s comes, we have some kind of guilt with not being the perfect______ (fill in the blank.) These resolutions usually come from guilt that has resulted from the holidays (cut carbs, cut sugar, cut budget, etc).

I think that resolutions should take a great amount of thought. I have come to appreciate the wisdom of some resolutions: No more cheap ice cream. No more cheap shoes. No more cheap lotion. These are some of my favorites. However, I have to say, the resolutions that involve being healthy and losing weight are not fun and are more difficult to keep. Like, who in their right mind would have a New Year’s resolution to not eat chocolate? I completely don’t understand that one.

Then, there are the re-commitments. Ugh. Re-committing to me means admitting that you resolved to fix this before but failed miserably. Therefore you need to fix it again. In my life, this usually has something to do with food or organization.

I do think it’s healthy and encouraging to make spiritual goals. Some years, I have read through the Bible. Some years, I have done specific studies. Recently, my husband gave me a piece of paper to look at. At the time, we were in the middle of an amazing trial. We wrote down some things that were goals for us as a couple and as a family. Those goals were quite the mixture! Some were spiritual (like reading a specific portion of Scripture throughout the year) and some were financial (like being able to afford braces for all the kids). It was so exciting to see that God filled most of our requests as we resolved to give Him glory, no matter what.

Be encouraged as you attempt to make and keep your goals this year. Know that absolutely none of us are perfect in our resolve, but it is in the striving that is in agreement with the Holy Spirit that gets the greatest results. Only with His help can we achieve great things for God.

Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.