{"id":113452,"date":"2024-01-03T15:49:53","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T20:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discovergrace.com\/?p=113452"},"modified":"2024-01-11T13:26:13","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T18:26:13","slug":"responding-to-failed-new-years-resolutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/discovergrace.com\/responding-to-failed-new-years-resolutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Responding to Failed New Year’s Resolutions"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Whether a new year is heralded by midnight fireworks and champagne or dollar store party hats and noisemakers, it\u2019s most often accompanied by a wave of relief that the old year has ended and a new, clean slate has arrived. Hope begins to fill the space formerly occupied by weariness from the previous year\u2019s disappointments. The anticipation and optimism of a new year drive us to set more ambitious resolutions, goals, and commitments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

January 1st could make the best motivational speakers out of us all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>This<\/span><\/i> will be the year!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This will be the year I finally stick to my early morning workout routine. No longer will midnight snacks break through the newly-fortified barriers of my strong will and self-control. Every bad habit that has held me back will simply fall away. I\u2019ll save more than I spend. Stress will be eradicated by my perfect balance of work and personal life. I even bet this will be the year God finally sends me my perfect future spouse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, we tell ourselves that this will be the year that friends and family members miraculously follow through on all their commitments. No more last-minute cancellations. No more outbursts or arguing. They\u2019ll finally start going to counseling or attending the program they\u2019ve spent the last few years avoiding. Things will be different!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>This<\/span><\/i> will be the greatest year ever!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet the realities and complexities of living in a fallen world still have a funny way of showing up every year, usually creeping in sometime between February and April. Maybe we fail to stick to our New Year\u2019s resolutions or fall short of our goals sooner than expected. It\u2019s also possible the people we love might fail to live up to the commitments they made to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

New year. Same failure and disappointment.<\/span><\/p>\n

The challenge for us Christ-followers lies not in avoiding failure but in how we respond when it comes. Will we be surprised, disheartened, or deterred? Or is there a better way?<\/span><\/p>\n

In these moments of perceived failure, the Gospel can remind us how God displayed his love and kindness towards us by forgiving our sins and failures through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Scripture, we\u2019re also shown that God\u2019s kindness and patience are meant to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9). As God\u2019s image bearers, we are called to extend that same kindness, forgiveness, and patience to ourselves and others, particularly in times of failure (Ephesians 4:9).<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what are some practical steps for responding to failed resolutions, goals, and commitments in the New Year?<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1: Repentance – Turning Towards Grace<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cLet us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.\u201d \u2013 Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)<\/span><\/p>\n

Repentance is the bridge between recognizing our failures and stepping back onto the righteous path God has called us to walk. When we sincerely acknowledge how we fell short of God\u2019s desire and our commitments, we can move from self-reflection to reflecting God\u2019s character in a broken world. Instead of identifying ourselves by our failures and living under the burden of shame, we can stand back up, firm in our identity in Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

As we accept that Jesus forgave us, we can also forgive ourselves and seek forgiveness from those we’ve unintentionally hurt. This transformative turning point helps us to move forward after our failures without quitting or succumbing to the hopelessness of another disappointment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2: Reevaluation – Discerning God’s Will<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cThe heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.\u201d \u2013 Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)<\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever I find myself failing to reach goals or holding true to my commitments in my spiritual walk, I like to ask myself several questions:<\/span><\/p>\n