Happy New Year.
We are several days into the New Year at the time of this post.
So, … how is it working for you? Fallen away from your New Year’s resolution? Feeling as the dieter does who proclaimed to diet tomorrow while yet full from an overstuffed dinner?
It is OK to reset the clock. Give yourself some slack. Get up and start again. Remember: “His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:21-23).
Regret
Let’s talk about regret. How it eats away, nagging in those self thoughts. Tell yourself, STOP and then begin again as often as it takes. The smallest steps, smallest victories are still motion(s) in the correct direction.
Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Encourage yourself as David did, he “encouraged himself” (1 Samuel 30:6). Be your own cheerleader if need be.
You see, you don’t have to believe all those negative, discouraging words or thoughts directed at your accomplishing a new (or old) goal.
Do what you can now, today. You have heard it, I am sure, some sort of statement like, the only failure is the failure to try. So, … fail. But get up again.
Count it as a credit if you take the steps instead of the elevator. Then grow upon that. If you only read one paragraph of the Bible, that is one more paragraph read then if you hadn’t. Those read through in a year plans, or the daily devotions books for every day of the year, before you know it’s July and your book mark is back in January. OK, so last year’s New Year’s resolution had to be rolled over for “another” year. Take the pressure off, forget time limitations.
The word picture often used: if you fall off your horse (bike) get back up in the saddle and try again. Forgive yourself so you don’t stay stuck. My word picture for this concept has always been: “You can move a mountain with a spoon, if you keep at it and don’t quit. Slow, seemingly impossible, yet if diligent, a spoon can move a mountain like a bucket load, only in smaller amounts requiring not being “wearied in well doing” (Galatians 6:9).
Do you need to adjust your goal? Maybe the goal to lose one pound in a year lacks real commitment, setting your goal too high … wait … This is beginning to sound like a motivational speech. We have enough how to succeed with the battle of the bulge.
Nor did Jesus give His disciples the 7 steps to a feel good life. What He did do was go to the Cross because we could not overcome in our own strength. He took our place, He paid the price. Why do we think we must do everything beyond salvation in our own strength? In Matthew 11:28 He said, ” Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
So when, not if, you slip from your “New Year resolution” or in any area of your life where you are trying to overcome, go to Him in prayer asking for His help. “… Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord ….” Zechariah 4:6 (KJV) Then rest in Him, get up and begin again (Lamentations 3:21-23).
Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV)
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)
And David was greatly distressed; …: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Zechariah 4:6 (KJV)
… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
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