The beginning of a new year is the time when most people reflect on their life and make resolutions for the upcoming new year. Promises are made to exercise more, eat healthier, give up a bad habit, etc.
The resolutions I like to focus on are the ones that will help strengthen my faith. When I look back on this year, I hope to see growth in my walk with Christ.
Even if your faith is strong, God is constantly desiring to sanctify and strengthen you.
Here are some New Years goals to help you build your faith this new year.
1. Spend quality time alone with God to reflect on the condition of your heart.
Make sure to have a pen and journal with you. Even if you don’t like writing, it is so important to write out your thoughts. Writing brings understanding and clarification to what the Lord might be saying to you.
Ask God to show you what He thinks you need to focus on in your spiritual growth.
Then be still.
Listen.
The Holy Spirit often speaks in a soft gentle whisper.
Write down any thoughts you may have.
Trust that the Lord is speaking to you.
2. Measure your “Love Level.”
As followers of Christ, our most important calling is to love. We are to love God first and love others (1 Corinthians 13).
One of the best ways to know how well you love others is by thinking of the person in your life that you love the least or struggle with the most. You can measure your “Love Level” by how you treat this person.
Learn to be comfortable with saying “I love you” to others.
Years ago, the Lord had impressed on my heart the importance of telling others that I love them. One morning I felt like He asked me to tell every single person that I would interact with that day that I loved them. As it turned out that day I was meeting with a woman that I struggled a lot with. I often felt un-loved and even put down by her. That day as I was saying bye to her the Holy Spirit gently reminded me to say “I love you” to her too. I really felt uncomfortable doing this but out of obedience to the Lord, I did. It changed our relationship. She has been kinder and more loving towards me ever since that day.
There is power in our words. There is power in loving others (1 Peter 4:8).
Ask God to show you how to love like He does.
3. Make a gratitude/blessings list
Making a list of all the different ways that God has blessed you in the past year. This will help you to have a more grateful heart.
It is God’s will for you to be a thankful person. He wants you to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Gratitude lists are healthy and can bring joy and healing (click here to read my blog post on gratitude).
4. Write out your goals, hopes and dreams
It is so important to have goals and dreams. Thinking about and writing them out will help you to be more encouraged and positive about your life.
God wants to give you your hearts desires (Psalm 37:4-6).
Ask Jesus for a vision for your life.
Come boldly to the foot of His throne (Hebrews 4:16) and expect to receive His grace and mercy for your dreams.
5. Ask the person who knows you best what changes they feel will help you to build your godly character.
This may sound funny, but I have found this to be very helpful in my spiritual growth.
People that know you really well can give you the most honest and accurate answer about your character flaws.
Remember that none of us will be perfect this side of heaven. We will always need to refine our godly character.
Be motivated with your New Year’s resolutions to grow your faith.
Be intentional about loving Jesus and loving others.
Be purposeful with the necessary changes you need to make in order to grow more intimately with Jesus.
Be encouraged that you can do all things with Christ who gives you the strength you need (Philippians 4:13).
Be driven to live the life God intended for you (Jeremiah 29:11).
A very blessed New Year to you. May the Lord guide you and lead you onto the path He has for you and may your heart be tender and open to hear Him.
Leave me a comment below and share any ideas or thoughts you have on New Year’s resolutions for your faith.
“This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is good for you
and leads you along the paths you should follow.” ~ Isaiah 48:17
Photo Credit: Google Images
Awesome blog mom! I love the point about our “love level.” Definitely something I will be thinking about more this new year. Thanks for writing this!