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resolve

I don’t make resolutions. They say they don’t work anyway. No one keeps them. So, I guess I won’t. I mean, why try something others say you can’t do? In fact, I read a news report that said a third of all resolutions are broken by the end of January. So, with those odds, better comply with the news. It’s what everyone does. Right?

But, if I did…if I did make resolutions…I’d make some worth keeping. I might even call them goals…or benchmarks…just to feel better about them.

But if I chose to defy the odds…or the popular culture of debunking resolutions…it might go something like this…

I resolve…

To pray more than worry, so I can trust more than doubt.

To choose the healthier food choices when available, and keep unhealthy snacking to a minimum.

To allow my time spent reading to compete against…maybe even win…with my time spent watching television…since I often say “there’s nothing worth watching” anyway.

To value rest and exercise as a vital part of my day, since I know how both impact my productivity and overall attitude.

To keep a close reign on my tongue, saying only those things which bring value to people and make life better for them.

To speak the truth in love, but never be ashamed of the Gospel.

To forgive easily, knowing that a grudge causes me as much harm…or more…as the person I am forgiving.

To use any influence God should give me for His glory and not for my own.

To seek wisdom from those who seek progress, more than from those who only seek to complain.

To speak words of affirmation and encouragement to those God intersects with my life, knowing the value such words have had in my life…often at just the right time.

To enjoy the abundant life, knowing that He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it.

To guard my heart above all things…for it is the wellspring of my life.

What would you resolve…if you actually resolved…and if these things actually worked?

In my next post, I’ll share three steps to set goals you can actually achieve.

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Ron Edmondson

Author Ron Edmondson

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Join the discussion 10 Comments

  • I would resolve…

    — To aim for excellence over anything I set my hands to rather than aiming at perfection.
    — To hope in a hopeless situation rather than showing despair.
    — To lead by example also and not only by words alone.
    — To lead a life of faith rather than a life of cynicism/ negativity
    — To be a God pleaser rather than a people pleaser

  • Deb says:

    I don't make resolutions either… but I do make decisions each year between me and God on how I'm going to live my life that year serving Him. My prayer is that each year, I'll draw closer to Him. Making these decisions helps me to evaluate at year end if I followed through in my relationship and choices. I do this personally, for ministry and business. Writing it down helps as well.

  • Kmac4him
    Twitter:
    says:

    I resolve to dig my roots deeper in God’s love, being soul saturated in it wholly every day!
    I resolve to walk out of a Kingdom Perspective that does not give way to my human condition or what I see, but pursues the unseen purposes of God that are in play in my life.
    I resolve to be Wholly-Holy HIS, my AWE-GOD’s seasoned servant and “grow through” 2013!
    God bless your New Year with HUGE HOPE in Him!

  • skipprichard1 says:

    Love these, Ron. I'm also adding "listening more intently" this year. Let this be a year where I am so focused on the other person's words and not on anything I want to add.