By now we’re already a month into the New Year. And most people have set new goals or have new resolutions to start the year differently or to live out the new year better.
A few of the traditional resolutions are:
1-Exercise more
2-Lose weight
3-Spend more time with family and friends
The list is actually longer, but these are just the ones I chose to highlight. Making resolutions is one thing, keeping them is another! And truth be told, we really need the help of a Higher Power to accomplish any resolution or make life lasting changes for long.
But let’s look at these resolutions through a different lens and perspective. And let’s be honest: it’s been a few hard years.
Exercise:
I absolutely love exercise, like any form of it; but because of all my injuries and surgeries I’m limited these days and especially right now. In many ways we’ve all been limited due to closed gyms or problems associated with the pandemic.
The world feeds us a daily fodder of fear, worry, gloom, and doom. Just turn on any news program it seems. And depression is at an all-time high from people from all walks of life. We were never created to live in isolation or in lockdown mode. God created us as social people to have interaction and relationship.
So, let’s exercise in a different way! Instead, let’s ask God to help us exercise some new faith, hope, trust, and prayer muscles. Just like a traditional workout, spiritual exercise takes time, commitment, and devotion. Sometimes it’s even hard work. But with God as our Trainer, He can help us grow strong in this area. And instead of giving into fear and negativity, we can grow strong in trust and faith in God.
And maybe turn off the bad news for a while and tune into the good news: God’s Word.
Weight:
If you’re like me, maybe you’ve put on a few pounds in more ways than one this past year. It’s not just a physical diet we all need, but a spiritual one too.
Let’s ask God to help us lose that weight we’ve all been carrying. Not just in our physical bodies, but in our hearts and souls. We’ve all had the extra weight of worry, fear, and depression that has weighed us down. Loneliness, isolation, suffering, loss, and grief have been heavy burdens for many people too. Some have even carried resentment, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness for far too long.
It’s time to have a fresh start! It’s time for a new diet! It’s time to lose that weight once and for all. But like a natural diet, the spiritual diet takes constant work and discipline.
God is a great Dietitian. He wants us to lose that weight and He longs to carry or eliminate any heaviness for us. In fact, He says, “Cast all your cares upon Me for I care for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Time:
Spending more quality time with family and friends has proved to be very challenging indeed. Some have been stuck at home with only their immediate family members. Others have been completely cut off from relationships of any sort for long periods of time. Others, like myself, have had very limited interaction. If anything, this pandemic has made us all realize just how precious family and friends are and to never take that for granted again.
And God gets it. He really does. He longs for relationship: that’s His goal too! God longs for quality time with each of us. The whole reason He created us was to simply have a family and to have friends. He wants relationship with you. Not church, not religion; just real honest relationship and good quality time.
God is your Father and Friend. In fact, He calls us His sons and daughters. He calls us friends. So, resolve to spend more time with Him and get to know Him personally. You are never ever cut off from Him for any reason! Not even a pandemic can stop that!
And by leaning into His help and strength, these are New Year’s resolutions that will last!
Beloved:
I know that you are weary. I see that you are weighed down with fear, worry, discouragement, and more. Do you not know that I am always here for you? Cast every single care and problem on Me. I am your Savior. You were never intended to be burdened with the problems and cares of this life. Come to Me beloved one and let Me lift the heavy burdens and let Me set you free. I love you.
“And I will receive you; and I will be a Father to you; and you shall be my sons and daughters.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)
“But I have called you friends.” (John 15:15)
such good, healthy, wise insight!!! I love the different perspective on each of these goals! thank you for lifting us up all while glorifying Him!