New Year’s Resolutions

Dec 30, 2019

Get ready. Are you ready? People are going to be asking. So did you make any resolutions? Unprepared, you may pull one out of thin air when asked. “I plan to get in shape.” “To stop eating junk food” “To spend more time with family.” 

Sure, those are good. It’s always good to think about goals and steps that might get us there. But research shows that the majority of us don’t stick with it. That gym card that got swiped 3 times a week for a couple months suddenly dwindles until it doesn’t even get swiped. 

I’m not saying don’t try the gym in January. In fact, a couple months of working out is better than not working out at all. But part of our problem is that we set specific action goals for this year without realizing the impact of what we think and do daily, hourly, minute by minute and how that will ultimately affect any goal we set. 

What do I mean by this? I’m talking about our continuous choices of what we fill ourselves up with. Everyone knows that consistently eating junk food takes a toll on our health. “You are what you eat” is a saying we’ve all heard, but as a kid I quickly realized it wasn’t true because I surely would have been a bowl of oatmeal by age four. I have no deep insight into that statement, but I do want to challenge you with another that I know is true: “You are what you think.” 

“As a man thinketh in his heart so he is.” The base of this verse from Proverbs promotes metacognition, being aware of one’s own thoughts. The personal dialog we play in our head as we go through daily life makes a much bigger impact on who we are than any trip to the gym or weight loss plan. Often we don’t even give any mind to what we are thinking since our thoughts are hidden and private. And since no one else hears, what does it matter? But it does matter. What we believe are personal, hidden thoughts begin to be exposed as they shape who we are. We need to start metacognating (pretty sure that’s not a word). But we need to start thinking about what we are thinking about. 

So, what are we telling ourselves? 

“I thought if I paid $600 for six months of training, I’d make myself do it. But now I just wasted that money. I’m such a failure.”

“I can’t believe I ate that piece of cake the day I started my diet. I can’t do anything right.”  

“I thought we could play a game or go for a walk when I got home from work, but I’m tired, my wife is in a bad mood, and the kids are fighting. Why can’t we be like other families.” 

We all have these kinds of thoughts, but the Bible says to take thoughts captive. It matters what we speak to ourselves. If we replay consistent thoughts about being a failure, demanding perfection, and comparing ourselves to others that will bring us down far more quickly than our unused gym membership or derailed diet. 

So, how do we stop the negative banter in our heads that drive us to feelings of anxiety, depression, and stifled growth? The best way is to replace it with truth. We need to ask God to show us what truths we need and read our Bibles to find them. If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus and you’ve never asked Him to come into your life, then that’s the starting point.

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

So many of us stay burdened with negative thoughts when we’ve already been set free. We need to know the truth of who we are in Christ and speak those truths to ourselves. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. 

Here are just a few truths to get you started. 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” 

“His grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in our weakness.”

“I am strong and courageous for the Lord is with me wherever I go.” 

I hope we make New Year’s Resolutions and stick to them. I hope we eat healthy and exercise. I hope we go to the gym and start a diet. I’m cheering us on! But whether we make resolutions or not, remember our identity isn’t wrapped up in whether we succeed. And whatever we do, let’s not make our resolutions or lack thereof a springboard for negative thoughts. Let’s speak truth to ourselves and remember who we are in Christ: Loved. Chosen. Redeemed. Favored. Blessed. Free.