New Year, New Me

Unlike previous years, this New Year, my husband and I decided to sit the girls down and jot down a few goals or resolutions for the new year together—More-or-less self-improvement type of goals. Shortly after, we began checking in on their progress. My husband was first to confess he utterly failed. It was more complicated than we expected, we all agreed.

Forbes Health released an article reporting the statistics of New Year resolutions from a recent survey. Surprisingly, a mere 1% of all reporters stuck with their goal for the entire year. Apparently, mid-January is unofficially "Ditch New Year's Resolution Day" or "Quitter's Day."

The top most reported goals for 2024 were fitness and health-related.

I remembered an acquaintance of mine. She had been a very active and fit athlete for as long as I can remember. However, she later confessed to a long struggle with bad eating habits. "I did so well maintaining a healthy diet most of the day, but late at night, when everyone went to bed, I began my unhealthy binge eating", she said. It took a definite toll on her health. The more she tried to control her bad habit, the more out-control it got. 

At her wit's end, she consulted a nutritional expert for help. Finally, only with professional help and continual guidance was she able to get a better grip on her eating and health.  

She had to look outside of herself and entirely rely on someone else's expertise to get there.

In the same way, we, as believers, have a continual expert helper available to us, regardless of our present goals or struggles.  

For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. (Heb. 4:15 Am.)

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (vs.16 NLT)

We, too, must forfeit the idea that we can do it in our strength. He offers to guide us out of his word, every step of the way. Only when we give up and entirely rely on him, will we find the strength we need to follow through.  

"New Year’S Resolutions Statistics 2024." Forbes Health, 18 Dec. 2023, www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics/. Accessed 6 Jan. 2024.