Mysty PfefferAnother year, another promise, another hope for a different outcome loom before us in a couple of days. New Year’s plans come in strong, and we find ourselves resolved to do something. The resolve may look different for you and me, but at the heart of it is the desire, and determination, to change.
This new desire may be so strong we write it down and place it somewhere close to refer to time and again. It’s like the wellness vision tool I encourage my clients to think through and develop. Writing down strong statements affirming their strengths, abilities, skills, and support systems helps them visualize the healthy person they want to be.
The client then develops an overarching statement emphasizing those attributes. If you are interested in formulating yours, I have a free download for you when you subscribe to my site. I’ll be happy to share it with you!
Resolved–Formulating a Plan
Now, back to the hope of a new day and a new year.
How do you see yourself taking steps towards your new resolve? Maybe you need a priority list of things you’d like to accomplish. Perhaps it would help to write down all your thoughts then prioritize them in number of urgency or importance.
The hope may be to spend more time with family, stress less, care more about people, eat less sugar, be more active, read more books, pray more, be involved with the community or study more.
Whatever your dreams are for the coming year, God is here for you. He wants you to live the abundant life His son died for you to live. Guilt free, shame free, and hoping for an honorable walk with Him.
If you’re like me and need a little reassurance, please take a moment to read Daniel’s thoughts about resolve in Daniel chapter 1.
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore, he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs,
Daniel 1:10-11
Daniel resolved to not eat the luxurious food and wine from the king’s table. He also found favor with the chief eunuch who granted his request of vegetables and water. Daniel’s resolve comes from his dedication to the One true God.
Although not clear in the text, it is inferred that the food was used in pagan worship and did not contain was the Mosaic law described as “clean”. Regardless of the state of the food, Daniel’s resolve came from his desire to continually honor God.
Despite his captivity, being stripped of his identity, and placed in a palace to learn a new religion, language, and way of life, he remained true to God.
His prayer life, kindness, respectful attitude, and ability to maintain his faith in a culture of depravity gives me hope to carry through my challenges too! I hope it does for you as well!
After all, staying the course on our new hopes and dreams is so much more than a New Year’s resolution! Because truthfully, we don’t always approach them with the planning and seriousness they deserve.
Sometimes we just jump in and tackle the monstrous goal with all of our newfound drive, then fizzle out in a frazzled, defeated mess. All the previously failed attempts come rushing forth and we berate ourselves once again.
But what if we take a different view and implement the baby steps necessary for success?
Resolutions are weak and wear out if we don’t determine our true need and plan accordingly.
The allure soon fades when we don’t see the results we want. Or we get caught up with the same daily grind and fall back into our familiar habits of comfort food, mindless eating, sitting for long periods of time, and fault finding.
Given his circumstances, what do you think Daniel would say to that mindset?
He resolved (determined in his mind) to do something different than the world around him for the purpose of honoring God with his mind and body.
What does being resolved look like for you today and how can I pray for you?
I am only a discovery call away if you need extra help, too. You can book your appointment here and find recipes and encouragement too. I look forward to serving you!
Mysty
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