Year after year, roughly 62% of individuals participate in the fun of developing their own New Year’s resolution. Of that optimistic group, a whopping 73% will have little to no success in achieving their intended goal. For someone looking to lose weight, get organized, or spend less money, these statistics can feel daunting. How is one expected to improve themselves if they have repeatedly heard the disappointment awaiting them? I am unsure how individuals that do not know God will overcome these New Year’s resolution statistics, but I great faith in my fellow believers this year.

This past year probably didn’t go as planned for many of individuals. Optimism was high, but fear soon set in as time moved faster than it ever had before. To make matters worse, society seems to be crumbling at the seams. Even if one finds themselves in the calm, they only need to turn on the news to notice the storm brewing ahead. By God’s love and mercy, all humanity was given the opportunity to have the greatest sailor steering their ship. Christians are just the few who have accepted the help and let the Spirit tackle the waves. Although this is the ideal image of one’s formation with Christ, many individuals try to steamroll God’s direction and develop their own plans. Plans to miraculously lose the weight, structure the chaos, and accumulate the money without His help. Countless individuals have tried living this way, only to end up at another New Year’s Eve party wondering why they haven’t seen change in the last twelve months. Which poses the question:

What if instead of viewing New Year’s resolutions as the means to achieving the wants in life, Christians started viewing New Year’s resolutions as the means to achieving the needs in life through Christ?

Don’t get me wrong, quitting smoking and falling in love are great aspirations for life, but stop demanding change in the fruits one produces when their roots haven’t been properly watered. Meaning as Christians, individuals should be setting New Year’s resolutions to read through the Bible in a year. Or spend time in prayer daily. Or connect ourselves in a small group within our congregation. Or even keep a journal to account for all the blessings God has given them. All of these are great resolutions that keep Christians from twisting God’s arm into giving them what they want instead of what they need. This allows individuals to grow in multiple areas rather than coming to life with tunnel vision. Instead of focusing only on the glaring problems with one’s fruit, engaging in spiritual disciplines like the ones listed above can deeply nourish roots that have been neglected for years. Most importantly, adapting small things like these into one’s life allows them to better see the true heart of God. Investing one’s time and energy in Christ doesn’t help one see the plans for their life, but it will develop a deeper understanding of the character of Christ.

Additionally, Christian’s need to invest in finding an accountability partner(s). These are people that check-in with someone about their resolutions and encourage them when they have little to no motivation. Doing this will give Christians support through the lows when they can’t seem to remember the glory of God’s highs.

No matter what the enemy throws at you in the coming year, know that God is ultimately steering your ship in spite of whether or not you succeed in your New Year’s resolution.