It’s that time of year again, when we ring in the New Year and make our resolutions. Even though experience and statistics show that we rarely keep them. So if you repeatedly fail to keep yours, take heart. You are not alone! Many of us make resolutions only to feel discouraged or even guilty about not keeping them.
Resolutions are like Band-Aids
Because when it comes down to it, making resolutions is like putting Band-Aids on our bad habits. We would never put a Band-Aid on a dirty, festering wound. It wouldn’t stick, and the wound wouldn’t heal well. It’s the same with resolutions.
We need a plan
Resolutions don’t stick well to lives cluttered with junk or wrongdoing. We must first get rid of all the unnecessary or harmful things we cling to. And have a strategic plan to replace it all with healthy alternatives.
A good example of this would be the time that I decided to reduce our use of disposable products in order to help both the environment and my budget. Both worthy goals.
But I failed miserably, always reaching for foil, plastic wrap, or paper towels. Until I switched to cleaning rags and reusable containers. At that point those disposable products practically disappeared from my shopping list!
Without proper planning, I had undermined my success by applying a meaningless resolution. One that was as useless as putting a Band-Aid on a broken bone.
When Band-Aids do harm
My failure to switch to disposables wasn’t a big deal. But failing to achieve more important goals can be damaging, creating a sense of failure that often leads us to give up in defeat.
The real problem is that in many important areas of life, we are applying Band-Aids. And when we fail to follow through on our resolutions, we end up perpetuating bad habits that can damage our lives physically, emotionally, mentally, or even financially.
Great intentions are worthless without solutions.
We have great intentions, but without concrete plans we get caught in a vicious cycle of resolutions followed by failure and regret. Eventually we just give up, without ever making any progress.
Overcoming harmful habits or addictions (food, TV, shopping, or whatever) requires decisive action.
First, we must deal with whatever is keeping us from achieving our goals.
But often instead of stopping such activities, we continue or even increase them! We get more TV channels, we try the latest junk food, or we shop more and more. We sabotage our own success and end up with guilt and regret.
And second, we need to take concrete action to make real changes in our lives. Cancel those cable channels, try out some new healthy recipes, and join a gym or go for a walk with a friend.
Bandaids are great for skinned knees. But keeping your resolutions requires a little surgery. So this year, get out your scalpel, ask the Lord to give you the strength and determination to cut out all that’s bad and unhealthy, and chart a new course for your life. And you could find yourself on your way to a new and victorious year!
I wish you all a happy, fruitful and victorious New Year from my cozy corner of Italy!
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
Your delete-and-add strategy makes good sense, Sheila. And I appreciate your examples. They suggest small steps we can take toward the big goals we’d like to achieve. Sometimes we sabotage ourselves by tackling a major change TOO strenuously, like adopting a strict diet and tackling intense workouts–at the same time. Few of us are capable of withstanding such drastic measures.
That’s so true, Nancy. Small steps are the best. It’s a lot like adopting an exercise program. It would be senseless (and harmful) to try jumping off the couch to run a marathon without training first. I am learning this with my physical therapy, as well. The first exercises he gave me seemed so ridiculously easy, until I tried them. And found them to be hard and painful beyond belief. Now I’m up to harder things, gradually re-building strength and flexibity! It’s usually best to start with baby steps!
You brought me back to my own physical therapy after back surgery in 1996. Some of the exercises HURT, and of course, at first, there were no noticeable results. But I trusted the therapist, his training and experience. Sure enough, after a couple of weeks, I left the facility with no pain (though therapy continued another six weeks). I’ve continued with the exercises ever since! I’m reminded of Hebrews 12:10-11 about God disciplining us for our good, that no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. “Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hallelujah!
So true, Nancy. I didn’t realize you’d had back surgery, so you would know! Some of the exercises do hurt, but they also help. Little by little I keep getting better, and I can even sleep part of the night on my side now! I had missed that. 7 months on my back was tough, as I’d never been a back sleeper. It’s been 6 months since surgery, but the doctor said full recovery would take about a year. I’m just grateful to be recovering. Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement, my friend!
I’d say it took me 3-4 months to feel like my old self again. Perhaps you’ll be able to beat that one-year mark!
With the Lord’s help, yes! They said that it was because I’h had a double trauma. First the crushed vertebra. Damaged so much that they were at first fearful of nerve damage too. Then the trauma of surgery. Add to all that 40 days in bed. I guess it was a lot for my old body! But God is good, and I can do practically everything. I’m just anxious to start feeling, as you said, like my old self again! But God is soooo good and has been faithful throughout!
Excellent!! Thank you. I am sharing this with friends on Facebook. Excellent and doable counsel! ♥️
I’m glad you liked it, Kathie. I personally was sick of just sticking on worthless band-aids! Doing self-surgery really does help, so I’m glad I threw the band-aids out!!
So profoundly appropriate! Resolutions feel like a millstone around the neck–they just weigh me down and make me feel guilty because I know I’ll fail–and failing has no consequences with these. Thanks, Sheila!
Resolutions can weigh us down, for sure. Especially the guilt that often comes with our failure. Just remember that God wants us to succeed, and so is helping us every step of the way!!
Great advice! Thank you so much. This is helpful as I think through my goals for the coming year.
Thanks Mamalava, And I wish you success as you choose and plan for your goals! Here’s to a fruitful new year!!
Oh, how I loved this post Sra. Sheila. Such wonderful truths, presented with love and kindness my friend. I pray a great many who choose to make New Year’s resolutions will read this. God’s blessings.
Thanks so much JD! Keeping our resolve is not easy. But one thing is certain: God is rooting for us. He wants us to succeed even more than we want it! And when we do, the rewards and benefits are amazing!