It’s a new year. A new you! It’s time for solutions, right?
It’s time to kick the old habits and get your life back on track. It’s time to….oh you get the point. Every “New Year” comes with the opportunity to start a brand new year off the right way. Most of us will start some new resolution that will end somewhere in the first week of January. Some of us might even make it into the next week with our resolutions. The point I’m trying to make is everyone wants to start fresh in a new year. Most people won’t be able to stick to them because of what we’ve given ourselves over to and the patterns that dictate our actions.
Some people start off trying to lose weight. Pretty common goal right there. Gym memberships soar in January and start to decline In February. People have these grand ideas of who they want to become, but they fail to do the simple things to help them achieve it. I know people who wanted to hit the gym every morning before work, but when 5:00 am hit they gave into their need for sleep. One way to combat this is to go to bed earlier. That way when 5am hits, it’s not so bad. These are simple steps we can take to give us the best advantage.
So when it comes to those of us who want to grow closer to God, sometimes people try jumping in and just get overwhelmed. I’ve known people who’ve wanted to pray for 1 hour every single day, but ended up failing at it and not praying at all. My point is, this year, start with something you can do and then begin to stretch yourself. Instead of praying for one hour, start by praying for 1 minute. 15 minutes. Start praying and begin to seek the heart of God in your life. In your family’s life. In your friends’ lives. Start making the simple changes that can grow into the goals you’ve set.
For me, I was that guy wanting to workout. I was the guy who wanted to pray longer. There have been so many resolutions I’ve made that I’ve broken simply because I set myself up to fail. I’ve decided to get my life back. I’ve decided to make the small steps to change the ways I normally do things. I’ve decided to have my mind continually renewed. On a daily basis. Because the Word of God says:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.
— Romans 12:2
Take back your life by having your mind renewed . . . daily. Watch and see how the things that tripped you up so easily become plain as day and you’re able to overcome them. The way to get your life, dreams, hopes, etc.. back, is to be continually washed, cleaned, and your mind renewed.