We’re a few days into the New Year and my guess is that 99 percent of the people who made NY resolutions either have forgotten them or discarded them. It can be hard to make and keep a New Year resolution.
In my younger years, I made many resolutions – and none of them came to any fulfillment.
Something happened which changed it all for me. It came from a sermon given by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, my predecessor at Marble Collegiate Church. He gave a sermon on resolutions and it was the most useful guide to keeping New Year’s resolutions that I have ever heard.
The problem is, he said, that we make too many resolutions. The way to succeed with resolutions is this: make only one resolution. Focus on it and give it time. I heard that sermon when I was overweight and needed to lose 25 lbs. What I did was visualize myself to the desired weight. I gave myself plenty of time, resolving that I would lose the weight by August 10, on my birthday. I also built in some “cheat days” that I would use because there were times I knew I would fall off my diet. That does not mean the resolution was a failure, I just had to refocus and follow the plan. In fact, I reached my goal by the first day of August, 10 days early! I really felt good about myself. One, I got rid of the excess weight; and two, I achieved something by enjoying an emotional and spiritual success.
One of Jesus’ teachings I need to hear again and again is found in his sermon on the mount.
Ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you.”
Don’t be afraid to ask Jesus to help you with your goals.
It is not too late to salvage one of your resolutions and put it to work.
When you have achieved a goal, let me know. I would love to hear your story.
God bless.
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