New Year Resolution

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

New Year Resolutions

Maybe this past year was far from what you envisioned as you entered 2022. Maybe this year held disappointments and heartbreak. Maybe this year was filled with more highs than lows but that only brings fear that the next year will probably compensate for all the joy this year brought. 

You don’t want to have false hope or more unmet expectations as you prepare to enter a brand new year. You close up the journal you had previously filled with all your hopes and dreams. All you can do is hold on for the ride. 

But what if this next year is the year? The year God planned for prosperity. The year God was preparing you for. What if all of the pain of this past year was refining you and equipping you for what God has for you this year? What if there is still more refining? What if there are still more hardships? What if this year is harder than the last…WHAT IF?

As I read my Bible this morning I found myself filled with so much fear. The “what if” fear. What if God has something wonderful planned for me but I’m not ready? What if next year I face more of the same? I don’t think I can handle any more of the SAME. 

Then I read Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

At that moment I knew what this next year’s resolution should be. It was not going to be “write a book in 2023”. It is not going to be “try not to worry the entire year”. 

My resolution is going to be:

In everything Pray 

In everything Praise

All I want for 2023 is the peace of God which surpasses all understanding to guard my heart and mind! So my resolution needs to be what God says will bring that to fruition in my life…prayer and praise! 

Pray for God’s plans in my life to prosper.

Praise God that He is already working it all out.

Pray for the storms of life to cease.

Praise Him for walking with me through each one.

Pray that the desires of my heart are in line with His.

Praise Him for keeping His promises so that I know when I seek His kingdom first, all these will be added unto me. 

You see, it doesn’t matter what I resolve to do, it’s God’s plans that will prosper. Prayer and Praise are what will keep me aligned with what God has resolved for my life and His Word is the light to my path! 

Hymns are rarely sung in church anymore but there is one that came to mind when I dwelt on resolutions for the new year. 

I Am Resolved

by: Palmer Hartsough

I am resolved no longer to linger,

Charmed by the world’s delight,

Things that are higher, things that are nobler,

These have allured my sight.

I will hasten to Him,

Hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, greatest, highest,

I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to go to the Savior,

Leaving my sin and strife;

He is the true one, He is the just one,

He has the words of life.

I am resolved and who will go with me?

Come, friends, without delay;

Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,

We’ll walk the heavenly way.

While I don’t have insight into what this next year will hold, I know the One Who does! And He has not given us the spirit of fear. He also tells us not to even worry about tomorrow. So I pray as you go into this New Year you will look forward to focusing on just drawing closer to Him and as you do I know you will experience His peace like never before. In prosperity and peril…pray and praise. Then bask in His Presence!