Many individuals make New Year’s resolutions only to abandon them after a short time. They discover that their resolution was not realistic or obtainable. Each year we try our hardest to do better than we did in previous years as a part of our resolution. However, I believe that refusing to let your past rob you of your future can be the best resolution. Having faith in God’s promises is a starting point.
Author Joyce Myer likes to call her resolutions goals and commitments. She says people do not keep resolutions and believes that goals and commitments are more obtainable. Whether you make a resolution or commit to a goal, in this new year, God wants to give you a new start.
The Apostle Paul wrestled with the issue of following through on commitments. In his letter to the Romans, he expressed his feelings saying, “I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” Paul expressed to the Romans that humanity is incapable of doing what is right without a good connection to God.
We all have relationships with others that seem impossible to heal, and issues that will never be resolved by making New Year’s resolutions. In this new year, we should admit our old issues, and quit them and forget them. Instead of fighting battles we cannot win, let God’s power sweep through our lives and sever the ties with the pain of our past. If your resolution is to enjoy life more, to exercise more, to eat better or to spend more time with friends and family and less time on social media, you are probably not going to achieve these goals without the help of a higher power than self.
If we are realistic, we know that we are going to have hardships in life and no New Year’s resolution can eliminate these struggles. The only hope is that God’s guiding hand will provide comfort and direction. So, face the coming year with faith knowing that whatever problems we are going through, God’s love will light the way. So, Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Dr. Walter Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
