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Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I know many people who do, but unfortunately most of them don’t stick with their resolutions longer than a few weeks, if that. A study in 2007 showed that 88% of people break their New Year’s resolutions. Common resolutions are exercising more, eating healthier, improving finances, or thinking more positively - usually improving some aspect of yourself. Many resolutions aren’t necessarily measurable, which makes them hard to track and therefore to keep. I have never really made New Year’s resolutions, simply for the reason of failure - I don’t like to fail at things, and it’s highly likely that I would fail at keeping a New Year’s resolution.

The Bible is not clear on whether we should or shouldn’t make New Year’s resolutions, probably because the concept was not common back then, although a few pagan religions had similar practices. We are encouraged to examine our ways, and to take a look at our lives and see where we’re at. Lamentations 3:40 says, “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”

But, why do we so often fail at making resolutions to change something in our lives? Often we look to our own strength to do so, rather than looking to God for help. Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” While we may be able to change small habits on our own for a little while, any substantial and lasting change must come from God.

Another reason I don’t make New Year’s resolutions is because I believe that resolutions can be made any time of year, not just on January 1. The important part of a resolution is that you realize that a change needs to be made, and you start to actively make that change - whether it be by changing your habits, or by actively and daily looking to God for help on a particular issue. Change doesn’t just have to happen in January, but it should happen whenever needed.

Do you need help coming up with a New Year’s resolution for 2014? Try this on for size: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me [Paul], or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)