On the one hand, I am really not all about making resolutions for the next year. Why should this date of January 1 be the driving force in my life? If I see something in me that needs to be changed, then I should take steps to make the necessary change occur, regardless of the date on the calender. But even having said this, If a new year it was gives you hope for new beginnings, then go for it. But I would like to suggest a few things to help you make changes.
1. Set goals for your self. A goal is that thing you can fix your eyes or your heart on and continually strive towards. Jesus had the cross before him. He set his eyes and heart on it (not just as the cross but as the hope of our salvation) and didn't let anyone or any thing dissuade him from it. I have been taught that goals should have these qualities:
A. They should be doable. Don't set some pie in the sky goal for yourself that you can not achieve. But even so, a goal can be doable while being quite difficult. If you find value in achieving it you will be motivated to complete it.
B. It should be measurable or in other words, you should know when you have accomplished it. If you say I want to be thinner, then you should have some way of knowing you have achieved it. "I want to fit into a such and such size article of clothing."
C. Your goals should be timely. You need a time-frame to see it accomplished within. This could be a date on the calender - "... by Valentine's Day" or it could be a with in a specific time (with in the next 90 days). But whatever goals you are setting for yourself you should be thinking of a time (and place) where you want to see them accomplished
D. I would had a fourth item as a Christian. These goals should not be set merely to please yourself or to fit in better in this world. As Christians our goals should reflect our knowledge of God. They should reflect his love, his mercy, his holiness. I truly believe that our goals should bring us closer in our relationships with God and with others. Not to gain people's acceptance or even feel better about ourselves but to create an environment around us that fosters greater reflection of God at work in our lives.
E. I would also add that our goals should not be presumptive. We should be praying to know God's will in our lives. Sometimes its obvious. If we are using our bodies to do evil, then we need to stop and use them instead to glorify God. But sometimes there are things that seem right to us, but are not God's will for us. A simple way we can do this is to pray "God if it be your will, I am going to do..." At least this way there is a semblance of wanting to do God's will in our lives.
2. Keep these goals before you. It doesn't do any good to make good goals for your self which are doable, measurable and timely if you don't keep them ever present in your mind and life. I would like to suggest the following to help you do that.B. It should be measurable or in other words, you should know when you have accomplished it. If you say I want to be thinner, then you should have some way of knowing you have achieved it. "I want to fit into a such and such size article of clothing."
C. Your goals should be timely. You need a time-frame to see it accomplished within. This could be a date on the calender - "... by Valentine's Day" or it could be a with in a specific time (with in the next 90 days). But whatever goals you are setting for yourself you should be thinking of a time (and place) where you want to see them accomplished
D. I would had a fourth item as a Christian. These goals should not be set merely to please yourself or to fit in better in this world. As Christians our goals should reflect our knowledge of God. They should reflect his love, his mercy, his holiness. I truly believe that our goals should bring us closer in our relationships with God and with others. Not to gain people's acceptance or even feel better about ourselves but to create an environment around us that fosters greater reflection of God at work in our lives.
E. I would also add that our goals should not be presumptive. We should be praying to know God's will in our lives. Sometimes its obvious. If we are using our bodies to do evil, then we need to stop and use them instead to glorify God. But sometimes there are things that seem right to us, but are not God's will for us. A simple way we can do this is to pray "God if it be your will, I am going to do..." At least this way there is a semblance of wanting to do God's will in our lives.
A. Post your goals somewhere where you will see them; on the refrigerator, on the mirror or as a reminder that pops up on your computer, smart phone or electronic pad. There are lots of apps and software that can help you with that. I keep by goals before me by having a daily reminder go off on my phone (note: if you fail to act on the reminder it will just become an annoyance in your day - that has been my experience)
B. Break your goals down in to easier bites (sub-goals). There is a saying that goes, "How do you eat and elephant?" The answer, "One bite at a time." Even the most difficult goals can be accomplished when they are broken down in to smaller easier achievable goals. But the rule remains for these smaller goals they must be doable while somewhat challenging, measurable and timely.
C. Memorize them and regularly repeat them to yourself. This way they become part of you and your vision for the future. They are not merely something you do to achieve some end, but rather a pattern of living.
D. Periodically examine your progress on your goals. Find a time that you will remember like the first Monday of the month, that last Friday, or more frequently if you feel the need. An more helpful way is to have an accountability partner. If you have someone you know that you will have to report to you will be more inclined or motivated to make progress. If you can find a group of like minded people you can for a group whose goals will be to help each other achieve their life's goals/purpose.
3. Do not become discouraged when you fail to achieve your goals. When you are attempting something that is challenging chances are that you are going to make mistakes. Change is difficult; it can even be painful. Don't give up when it gets difficult or you fail. Human beings are creatures of habit. When you have a way of life or a pattern of thinking that is deeply ingrained in you, it is not completely unexpected that you might fall back into your old patterns. When this happens just take the following steps.B. Break your goals down in to easier bites (sub-goals). There is a saying that goes, "How do you eat and elephant?" The answer, "One bite at a time." Even the most difficult goals can be accomplished when they are broken down in to smaller easier achievable goals. But the rule remains for these smaller goals they must be doable while somewhat challenging, measurable and timely.
C. Memorize them and regularly repeat them to yourself. This way they become part of you and your vision for the future. They are not merely something you do to achieve some end, but rather a pattern of living.
D. Periodically examine your progress on your goals. Find a time that you will remember like the first Monday of the month, that last Friday, or more frequently if you feel the need. An more helpful way is to have an accountability partner. If you have someone you know that you will have to report to you will be more inclined or motivated to make progress. If you can find a group of like minded people you can for a group whose goals will be to help each other achieve their life's goals/purpose.
A. Admit your mistake. In John's first epistle in the first chapter we are told that anyone who thinks they are without sin (perfect) deceives themselves. This scripture doesn't say to beat yourself up or to be angry of discouraged. It merely tells us to "confess" which in this case means to agree with God that we blew it.
B. Accept God's forgiveness. God's grace is not based upon our performance, but it does expect us to return to him and after admitting our failings, to accept his forgiveness. Some say we need to forgive ourselves - if that works for you, you can try that path, but for me, if God has forgiven me through the Blood of Jesus, then how could my forgiveness exceed that?
C. Ask for God's help in faith. God' has your best in mind (not as we might perceive it). So if we are striving to live the life He has ordained for us, then we should expect his help. I have heard it said, that God does not call the equipped (the prepared, good, right), rather He equips (provides for, helps) those He calls (the ones He has foreordained to serve Him).
D. Get up and get going again. Don't let failure stop you from trying again. You may need to evaluate your efforts to see if they are getting the desired results, but then when you do the right thing in God's eyes, you may not see immediate results in your own attitudes or in the reactions of those around you. We are called the race as if to win. We have all seen those athletes who have fallen only to get up and go on to win. Failure only remains failure when you sit down and refuse to get back up. Getting back up is the only way you will achieve your goal after you have stumbled and fallen.
I pray that this year will be a year of successes for you as you strive toward the upward call of Christ in your life.B. Accept God's forgiveness. God's grace is not based upon our performance, but it does expect us to return to him and after admitting our failings, to accept his forgiveness. Some say we need to forgive ourselves - if that works for you, you can try that path, but for me, if God has forgiven me through the Blood of Jesus, then how could my forgiveness exceed that?
C. Ask for God's help in faith. God' has your best in mind (not as we might perceive it). So if we are striving to live the life He has ordained for us, then we should expect his help. I have heard it said, that God does not call the equipped (the prepared, good, right), rather He equips (provides for, helps) those He calls (the ones He has foreordained to serve Him).
D. Get up and get going again. Don't let failure stop you from trying again. You may need to evaluate your efforts to see if they are getting the desired results, but then when you do the right thing in God's eyes, you may not see immediate results in your own attitudes or in the reactions of those around you. We are called the race as if to win. We have all seen those athletes who have fallen only to get up and go on to win. Failure only remains failure when you sit down and refuse to get back up. Getting back up is the only way you will achieve your goal after you have stumbled and fallen.
In Him,
Alan
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