How often do we start the new year full of plans, goals, and
a fresh attitude, only to lose motivation within weeks, days, or even hours?
New Year’s Day feels like a chance for a fresh start—an opportunity to leave
behind past disappointments and begin again. It’s a day that inspires hope and
renewal.
However, many of us give up when we falter, thinking we need
to wait until the next year to try again. But we don’t have to wait. God
understands our struggles and doesn’t limit us to one chance per year to start
over.
Big goals are inspiring but rarely bring immediate results.
To achieve them, we need to focus on small, daily steps and break them into
manageable tasks. Consistency in these small changes leads to success. As you
think about God’s role in your life, consider these thoughts:
- How
do I spend my time each week? Time is life, and how you spend it
reflects your priorities. While it’s important to relax, ask yourself how
much of your time is dedicated to God.
- What
do I look forward to most each week? Does your answer include your
relationship with God or serving Him?
Discipline is essential for achieving goals. Like a muscle,
it grows stronger with practice. Small acts of discipline lead to more
discipline and, eventually, greater growth. Discipline provides the freedom to
achieve your goals and is based on commitment, not fleeting emotions.
Those who create change take ownership. They don’t wait for
others to act but hold themselves accountable. A positive mindset helps you
stay focused, reach your goals, and remain present. Remember, we are shaped by
our thoughts. Meditate on the Bible daily and keep this in mind:
- Read
the Word. Don’t be discouraged if you miss a day, a week, or even a
month. Starting anew means being open to God’s guidance.
Psalm 25:5 shows how King David sought God’s guidance: “Lead
me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I
wait all day long.” David’s life was a mix of reliance on God and personal
failings. He had a teachable heart and often asked for guidance, but he also
gave in to sin. Despite his flaws, God called him “a man after His own heart.”
We can learn from David’s example.
Starting anew begins in the heart. Ezekiel 36:26 shares
God’s promise: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will
remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” This
renewal is made possible through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. As Romans 6:4
explains, “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in
order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the
Father, we too may live a new life.”
Faith is not wishful thinking but thoughtful reasoning based
on God’s Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit. “Little faith” allows
circumstances to control our thoughts, but true faith takes those thoughts
captive to God’s truth. Worry isn’t thinking too much; it’s not thinking enough
about the biblical truths we know. Let God’s Word dwell richly in you and fill
your mind with His promises.
Whether 2024 was filled with joy or challenges, the new year
brings hope for the future. No matter your circumstances, you can trust
Emmanuel, “God with us.” The world may change, but God remains constant. His
mercies are new every morning, and with Him, every day is a chance to start
fresh.
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