With Christmas behind us and the New Year approaching, it's the time when we reflect on the past and we begin to think about what the next twelve months will hold for us. During this time, many people create New Year's resolutions with the hope that the new year will be better than any one before. These resolutions, however, are rarely realistic and often leave people feeling as though they've failed. This is because we need God's help to truly change our lives. Therefore, I encourage every Christian to make these six resolutions this year that welcome God's help and will make it the best year yet.
1. Love each other.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." -John 13:34
A lot of times, people make it really difficult to love them. They treat us poorly no matter how we treat them, and it seems a lot easier to just give up or to retaliate with hate. This is not how God wants us to act, though. Because He has so generously showered us with undeserving love, the least we can do is to share this love with others. This not only pleases Him, but will be more rewarding for us than hatred ever would.
2. Give grace.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - " -Ephesians 2:8
We wrong God on a daily basis, yet He forgives us each time, no matter what we've done. Because He loves every person to ever walk this earth, He also wants for us to give grace to each other. Although it might be painful at first, in the end the Lord will reward us.
3. Pray more.
"Pray continually;" -1 Thessalonians 5:17
This verse is short, sweet, and to the point. Being a Christian is about having a relationship with God, and the best way to form one is by talking to Him. Prayer shouldn't be something you only partake in on Sunday or when you really need something; it should be constant communication with the Lord.
4. Give thanks.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who do not change like shifting shadows." -James 1:17
It's easy to remember to talk to God when we need something, but not quite as easy to remember in good times. However, every good thing that happens in our life is an act of God because He loves and cares for us. Therefore, we should remember to thank Him for the good things, even when we think they came solely from our own acts.
5. Share the Lord's word.
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," -Matthew 28:19
Our purpose here on Earth is to serve God. One of the best ways to do this is by leading others to Him. This can be scary and impossible seeming, but by doing so we are changing and saving people's lives. We need not have fear either, because God is with us every step of the way, giving us the knowledge and guidance to share His message.
6. Trust in His plan.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5
As humans, we want control over our lives. We want to do everything possible to make sure that we will have good and happy futures. Sometimes the best way to do this, though, is by relinquishing control and putting it all in the hands of God. Doing this is scary, but God loves us more than we could ever comprehend and, therefore, will put good in our futures if we follow His plans.
Start this year out right. Don't create unrealistic resolutions that will leave you feeling defeated and discouraged. Instead, let this be the year where you grow closer to the Lord than you have ever been before and turn your life over to Him. He will not let you down.
