5 Reminders for New Year’s Resolutions
Happy New Year!!! 🙂
Are you a new-years-resolutions kind of person? I am. I find setting goals for the year to be exciting, and it helps me keep on track throughout the year. If there’s one thing I learned from 2020, it’s that my plans are never certain. There were a lot of expectations I had for the year that didn’t happen. One verse that is often brought up as a reminder of this is Proverbs 16:1-3:
The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:1-3 (NASB)
There’s nothing wrong with goal setting and planning for the new year, but it must always be done in humility before the Lord, allowing Him to work out His will in our lives.
As we make and begin New Year’s resolutions today, here are 5 truths to remember:
1: Trust in the Lord and surrender your plans to Him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
As we make resolutions and plans for the new year, let’s remember to trust in the Lord and allow Him to guide our plans.
For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Psalm 33:9-11
God’s will is always done in the world. Sometimes that doesn’t line up with our own plans, but we must remember that God is good and His ways and plans are better than ours, even when we don’t understand what He’s doing (see Isaiah 55:8-9). A part of trusting God with our plans is being humble before Him. James 4:13-17 warns us that we don’t know what life holds for us, and instead of boasting or being cocky in our plans, we need to be humble before the Lord with our plans. Verse 15 encourages us to surrender our plans to the Lord’s will.
The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:7-9
It’s tempting to place our trust in our own plans, family and friends, leaders, or organizations. But trusting in those things will always lead to disappointment because we live in a fallen world and they will fail us. Our trust needs a solid foundation, and that is found in our heavenly Father. He is for us. He is our refuge. It is far better to trust in Him than anything or anyone else in this world.
2: Let God direct your plans.
The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
This point flows from the first one. As we trust God with our plans and surrender them to Him, we can trust Him to direct our plans. Whether you’re sitting down to plan for the year today or you’ve already set our resolutions, ask God to direct your steps, from spiritual goals to physical goals, and from big picture goals to the steps you plan to take today. Let God lead you in each moment and step.
3: Listen to wisdom.
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days. Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand. Proverbs 19:20-21
Seek wisdom for your goals. Read God’s Word and seek the wisdom He has within. Listen to godly counsel as you make plans, whether it be from family members, friends, mentors, podcasts, or books. Listening to wise counsel can help us set realistic goals, and listening to the wisdom of the Word helps us keep our goals in line with God’s priorities.
4: Be diligent.
The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. Proverbs 21:5
It’s wise to make plans rather than wandering aimlessly or doing everything spontaneously without forethought. After a year like 2020, it might be tempting to not make plans or set goals. But God’s word makes it clear that we are to avoid laziness and work hard for the Lord’s glory. We must be wise with our time, making the most of it.
Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”— Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, Colossians 3:23
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17
Planning doesn’t need to be obsessive. It’s important to maintain a balance of making plans and setting goals while holding them with an open hand before the Lord. The important thing is to be diligent in whatever the Lord calls us to, small or big.
5: Focus on the ultimate goal.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
As we plan for the new year, we must remember to store up eternal treasure. How can we serve the Lord and others this year? How can our resolutions reflect not just physical or financial goals, but also spiritual and relational goals? God’s kingdom and righteousness must come first in all we do. In Philippians 3, Paul says his goal is to know Christ more and that his prize is the call of God in Christ Jesus. May Jesus, knowing Him and serving Him, be our prize this year and for our whole lives!
At the bottom of my emails, I always include 2 Peter 3:18. This is my prayer for my blog, but it’s also my prayer for every year.
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
May we grow in the grace of Christ and the knowledge of Christ our Savior this year, and may He be glorified today and for all eternity in our lives. Amen!
With love,
Kelsey
