ADVICE
3 points to ponder on:
New Year’s Resolutions —by Gawie De Lange
A
s we power into 2022, I know that a lot of you, like me, are thinking about 2021 – what worked, what failed, and what we would like to do better. I remember when I was a skinny young boy, I would cry and moan to my parents because I just wanted to be heavier and more masculine. My goal was simple, I wanted to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger and run as fast as Jaco Reinach. I wanted a wife and kids, and I didn’t want to ever do homework again. I would start and end every year the same way: full of expectations and soon be very disillusioned by my lack-ofachieving these unobtainable goals.
Refocusing my resolutions
Practical terms to determine your goals
To put this in practical terms, I recommend that you write down your goals for the year and find scriptures to back them up. For example, if your resolution is that you want to know Jesus more, Philippians 3:10 substantiates this. If your resolution is that you want to eat healthily and train better, meditate on 1 Corinthians 10:31. If your resolution is that you want to be slow to Write down your goals speak and wise when you answer, focus for the year and find on James 1:19. When your Spirit man is scriptures to back them up. strong, the rest will follow. Read these scriptures daily and pray over them.
As I grew older, the New Year’s resolutions changed slightly, however the core stayed the same: to change my weight, to make more healthy lifestyle choices, and to have more personal time. However, the result always stayed the same. Thinking about these choices, I realised that my focus was wrong. When we focus on Him and the real prize, we want to “run this race” full of energy, zeal, and strength. This can only be obtained by spending time in the Word of God and growing closer to Christ.
Renewing my thoughts, changing my mentality As I grew up, the more time I spent in prayer took preference over time in the gym. This caused my Spirit man to be stronger, making me more resilient in tough times. Isaiah 40:31 says,
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“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” I took my old mentality and replaced it with Truths and Promises about who I am and what the Word says about me.
3 Points to Ponder: 1. Write your resolutions down and seek His will (Hab 2:2). Make sure they are achievable and measurable resolutions. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you and guide you to achieve them. 2. Strive for excellence, not perfection. God called us to be excellent in all that we do. When you make a mistake, learn, adjust, and run forward (2 Cor 8:7). 3. Be grateful and don’t give up, this is the key. Make sure to thank the Father for all He gives you, and after you have done all to stand, you must stand. It is hard to beat a person who doesn’t give up (2 Chr 15:7).
GAWIE DE LANGE – General Manager of JOY! Magazine. Email gawie@joymag.co.za
