Happy New Year, my sweet sisters in Christ! I don’t know about you, but I’m believing for a joy-filled year. I’m so done with all of the sadness and loss that the past two years have brought with them.
Each new year brings new beginnings and new goals (resolutions) with it. As we begin the twenty-one day church wide fast, what are you praying for in your own life? What resolutions have you set? If you haven’t done so yet, sit down with a pen and a new journal or notepad and establish your goals for the year. On the first page, I would make four columns: Family/Friends, Financial, Faith, and Future. Then list your personal goals for each of these. What can you do in 2022 that will better your life in each of these areas? I’m sure most of us have a goal to lose weight or get fit (probably our #1 resolution) and are wondering where that fits under one of the categories. I actually think it could go under all four. If we are fit, we are healthier, and we feel better, and it makes it easier to do what we want to do in each of the categories.
Typically, when we set resolutions, we focus on ourselves, but I challenge you this year to think of how your personal goals can better the lives of others as well. When you think about the “Faith” category, maybe you need to challenge yourself to be daring and brave when it comes to telling others about what God has done in your life or what He can do in theirs. Maybe challenge yourself to avoid the drama that the world loves to throw your way and instead turn to God’s word for how to handle each situation you’re faced with. There is no situation you will ever face that God hasn’t already provided an answer for in the Bible.
Once you have written down your goals, pray over them. Ask God to help you achieve each of them, and then thank Him for answering your prayers. My favorite verses in the Bible may help you as you do this step:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done (or will do). Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. ”
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
I also challenge you to journal your year and continue to reflect on each of your goals that you set for the year. How are you seeing them accomplished? If you aren’t doing as well as you wanted, pray over your list again. You can even ask someone to be your accountability partner; share your list with them, and ask them to help you achieve the high priority goals and offer to do the same for them. At the end of 2022, you will be able to look back over your list and marvel at what God has done with and for you.
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
I look forward to spending this next year rejoicing with you over accomplishments you have achieved and the blessings God has rained down on you.
Chelynn is a contributing writer for Shaken and Stirred. She is a long-time daughter of Christ, a wife, mother of two amazing adult children, and Nonnie to four beautiful grandchildren. She teaches Senior English at Charles Page High School and is also a Realtor for Keller Williams. She enjoys all things summer including boating, vacationing, and swimming.
Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash