Why Our "New Years' Resolutions" Need God | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Why Our "New Years' Resolutions" Need God

We cannot do anything without Him.

51
Why Our "New Years' Resolutions" Need God
Bernard Toutounji

"This is MY year. I'm going to __________." Whether or not we like to admit it, we've all been guilty of thinking or saying some version of this. The goals that fill in the blank range from exercise- to organization- to relationship-related, but they all seem to end up forgotten or unfulfilled by the end of the year. We simply either don't have the time, energy or motivation to actually keep our resolutions. If they are fulfilled by the end of the year, it's usually by luck or coincidence rather than because we actually had it on our mind and worked on it.

I think a big part of the reason that resolutions seem to always fail is because we are relying on our own strength to complete our own self-centered wishes. This isn't to bash anyone; I've done it too. We think we know what we need to make our lives "better" in the coming year and then think we have the power to make it happen.

The first problem lies in us thinking our lives need to be better. While none of us are without at least some trouble or struggle in some area of life, we all have blessings. Maybe you don't have that perfect body you want, but you're perfectly healthy. Maybe you haven't met that special someone, but you have amazing friends in your life who love you unconditionally. We all have so much to be thankful for that we shouldn't even be wishing for anything else on top of it. If anything we should be helping the less fortunate or giving back to the people in our lives, but we continue to be selfish and think that our lives won't be good enough until we have X, Y or Z. We have to know this simply isn't true. Having a six-pack, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or a clean house is NOT going to bring you a better quality of life if it doesn't include God.

The second problem lies in us thinking we know exactly what we need in our lives when God knows it better. When we fully trust God, we know it is His will we should be praying for rather than our own. Again, I'm totally guilty of trusting my own plan over God's but I've been praying extensively about it. Until we accept that God's plan trumps our own, we may be wishing for something that God knows is not in our best interest.

The third and final problem lies in us relying on our own strength to fulfill our resolutions. We may have a perfectly great resolution that is in line with God's plan for our lives, but if we rely on ourselves to complete it, it most likely won't happen. We are forgetful, flawed, lazy and unmotivated at times. You really think if you put your mind to it you're going to be able to stick to that diet? Maybe you will. But so much comes out of us relying on God to work through us to complete our resolutions. If we pray to God every day for strength and motivation, and trust Him completely, there's a much greater chance our resolution will not only come to be, but will bring Him glory.

My personal solutions for anyone struggling with not completing resolutions are to (1) Count your blessings and really take to heart the fact that nothing outside of God will bring you more happiness than you have right now, at least not in the long run. (2) Pray for God to reveal what He wants your New Year's "Resolutions" to be. Is he calling you to spend more time with loved ones? To spend more time alone? To take up a new hobby that's been on your heart? Trust that He will reveal it to you and listen to what He is saying, even if it isn't what you expected or even wanted. Trust His goodness. And finally, (3) Set daily reminders if your resolution is something you want to work at every day, and pray for strength, encouragement and motivation. Spend time with God more often (in the word, praying, learning about Him) and see how He transforms your life. When you love Him, your eyes are fixed on Him and it is easier to see how He is answering your prayers and working in your life. He won't let you down and you won't regret it, I promise. It may be difficult at first, but you will see your life change before your eyes and you will have more joy than ever before.

Finally, even if you don't end up fulfilling the resolution you made at the start of the year, it's OKAY. It's okay if you didn't lose that 10 pounds, make any new friends or organize your desk. It's okay if you feel worse than you did at the start of the year because there is not some timeline that says that by 2017 you have to do X, Y and Z. It's ridiculous to expect yourself to complete every resolution in a year when some resolutions take a lifetime. For instance, if you want to be more at peace with the way you look, you may realize it's much more complex than just attempting to change your thoughts in the course of one calendar year.

I hope this helps anyone making a New Years' resolution this year, and I hope 2017 is blessed, peaceful, and joyous.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

443240
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

16668
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

41633
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21300
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321731
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments