2016 has finally begun, and that means that people are making resolutions. Whether you want to lose weight or fall in love, resolutions can be tricky. Therefore, here are a list of the most common New Year’s resolutions and some bible verses to get you inspired.
1. If you want to lose weight:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
God created food and drink, and God created you. Therefore, he does care about what you put in your body. However, we shouldn’t care about being thin or looking good. Instead, we should care about glorifying God. Therefore, try and make your weight loss journey less about the weight and more about praise. It’ll keep you motivated and remind you that everything comes from our Lord.
2. If you want to be more organized:
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33
God doesn’t want your life to feel cluttered, and you probably don’t either. Therefore, if you want to organize your life during 2016, lean on God. Why? Because he’s a God of peace, not clutter. He’ll help you sort things out.
3. If you want to spend less and save more:
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” Proverbs 13:11
The key to saving money is patience. God advises us to save up little by little because wealth obtained by impatience won’t last very long. If you find this long process frustrating, look up other Bible verses about patience. There are tons of them.
4. If you want to enjoy life to the fullest:
“So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
Everything we have comes from God. Therefore, we should rejoice in everything we have and do, even if it doesn’t seem like much. Even work (“labor”) is a gift from God, so find pleasure in the ordinary, because it all comes from Him.
5. If you want to learn something new:
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15
God wants you to learn new things about the world He created. That way, you can be in even more awe of His power. God definitely encourages education, so get learning!
6. If you want to quit smoking:
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
It’s no secret that smoking ruins your body. God made your body, so you should use it to glorify Him. Keep this in mind if you’re trying to quit smoking this year. It’s not just about your health; it’s about using your body to thank God for his grace.
7. If you want to help others:
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16
Earlier we talked about saving money, but God also wants us to share. This isn’t just about money, but it also refers to our talents, our homes, and much more. The verse above sums up a major part of following God: helping others. Therefore, this year, do some good and share what you have with those who are needy.
8. If you want to fall in love:
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3
All of us want to fall in love, but when we look for a relationship, we must remember that a relationship must keep the unity of the Spirit. God is involved in every part of our lives, especially our love lives, so remember not to compromise your faith when you’re looking for love. A relationship will bear the most fruit when two partners are united in faith.
Also, remember that being Christ followers also means being patient, so don't get upset if love doesn't find you as soon as you'd like. It's all in God's timing, so remain steadfast and remember that you have love in Jesus.
9. If you want to spend more time with your family:
“Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. "How can Satan cast out Satan?" he asked. A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart." Mark 3: 23-25
This verse says that a family should not be splintered. How does this happen? One of the ways is distance. If you don’t spend time with your family, you’re not going to feel very connected to them. The foundation will splinter, and it will eventually fall apart. Use this year to build a better connection with your family members. Quality time keeps families from falling apart.
Hopefully these verses can help you if you’re having trouble with your new year’s resolutions. Let’s make 2016 a great year, and whenever you think you can’t fulfill your resolutions, just remember:
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
