When You Commit Your Ways to the Lord You Will Succeed!
By Carol Doyel on January 24, 2016
By Carol Doyel –
It seems we put a lot of emphasis on New Year’s as a time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and evaluating the past year. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s important to evaluate our lives, our hearts, and to cast vision as the Word of God encourages us to.
This year, I decided instead of making “resolutions” that I would go off by myself for a half-day retreat, before the busy holiday season, to write out my goals and priorities for the coming year. I had a wonderful afternoon at Terranea Resort, where I grabbed a healthy lunch at the juice bar in the beautiful spa facility, and sat poolside in the sunshine with a pad and pen. I enjoy finding beautiful, peaceful places where I can go to for extended periods of time of planning – local resorts and public parks or gardens are great places for mini-retreats.
I spent a couple of hours praying, thinking and seeking God. I thought a lot about my role as a wife, mom and grandmother – God seems to be highlighting the importance of relationships in this season of my life. I set goals for my family life, business, ministry, finances, as well as personal goals. When I finished, I had a clear vision for 2016.
However, when Jan. 1st rolled around I found myself still making a couple of resolutions, half-heartedly, which I don’t recommend doing. When we “fall short” of our goals or worse, we don’t succeed in our resolutions to start or quit something, it can lead to a cycle of failure and negative thinking – which we often use to beat ourselves up.
As a matter-of-fact, according to an article titled, Set Small Habits (Not Resolutions) for Big Results in 2016, “Only 8 percent of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions actually achieve their goals. Resolutions are more likely to result in failure than bring lasting results, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (December 2015).”
I’ve already managed to beat myself up numerous times in the first 21 days of the year, and boy how the enemy loves to jump all over that to discourage us.
But God is bigger than all that – The Word says:
- His mercies are new every morning – Lamentations 3:23
- He’s doing a new thing and it shall spring forth – Isaiah 43:19
- We’re to put the old man behind us and put on the new man, which is in the likeness of God – Ephesians 4:24
- We’re to press on, forgetting what lies behind and looking forward to what lies ahead – Philippians 3:12
- Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God – Philippians 3:14
- Our minds are transformed – Romans 12:2
- We’re given a new heart and new spirit – Ezekiel 36:26
- We’re redeemed, restored, and renewed – 1 Peter 1:18, Ephesians 4:23
- And when we receive Jesus into our heart, we are born again and regenerated – a continual process, not a once a year event! – 1 Peter 1:23
Everything we need to know for better relationships, better marriages, better families, better ministries…a better life and true success can be found in the Word of God!
I want to encourage you, instead of making “resolutions” – find Biblical “re-solutions” to your problems and challenges, not according to the world, but by seeking God and searching the scriptures because when we commit our ways to the Lord – We will succeed.
Carol Doyel is Editor-in-Chief and Founder of LivingBetter50.com. She is a graduate of The Full Gospel Bible Institute and has a passion for women’s ministries, issues and lives. She and her husband of 25+ years have three grown kids and four grandchildren. They currently reside in southern CA. Her desire is to inspire women to live better physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually.
norine rae
January 24, 2016 at 6:06 pm
Beautiful! Aristotle said something like, “Show me a man with goods habits and I will show you a man of excellence.” Carol you are a woman of excellence. I am so proud of you and the growth I see each passing day. You habit is to be fully inhabited by Christ. You are wise!
lb50
January 25, 2016 at 1:04 pm
Thank you Norine – I’ve had good examples, you are one of my greatest mentors and examples of excellence and living a Godly life!
Sharon Brani
January 26, 2016 at 11:01 am
Great article and wise advice. Thanks, Carol, for reminding us of what is most important.