Why New Year's Resolutions Fail

The New Year begins with high hopes for real and lasting change. We assess the past year and long for a better year ahead. Losing weight, saving money, helping others, finishing a degree, saving a marriage, and landing that job promotion are some examples of common resolutions for the new year. We have good intentions, and we hope for a fresh start.

Many Christians have spiritual resolutions. They plan to read the Bible more, volunteer at church, or give more to charity. But, even with serious commitments to grow spiritually, why do so many of us fail to make any real progress? Why are we making the same resolutions every new year? The answer may be that we aren't going about starting over the way God instructed. Yes, God has something to say about starting over!

In the Book of Haggai, we find God speaking to Jewish leaders about rebuilding (starting over). He begins with a challenge, "consider your ways." (Haggai 1:5 and 7). After pointing to the need for introspection and honest evaluation, God instructs them to change their priorities, work in the right order, and apply courage to see it through. Lastly, he explains that building back (starting over) with an unclean (or disobedient) heart with lead to ruin. God blesses obedience, so starting over without repentance and a commitment to truly follow God's commandments and leading, will only end in set-backs, failure, and the resulting disappointment. God makes it clear that he does not bless disobedience.

In Haggai 2:19, God asks the leaders, "Is the seed still in the barn?" This means the blessing for obedience is like a seed which is planted and produces results later. Read Haggai and learn God's take on starting over. Resolve to obey God in all matters, all the time, no matter the cost. Take the seed of obedience from the barn and plant it--for blessing in the New Year and beyond!

Scripture from the NASB version.

Blessing,

Denise