The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity

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Woman and man running in the winter.
 

New year, new you?

Are you a fan of New Year resolutions?

Many of us still see the crossover from December to January as a moment of psychological gravity, a chance to change. I am one such hopeful, having panted my way through seven exercise classes and decluttered one bedroom and the understairs cupboard.

Others reject the season of self-appraisal, describing it as joyless and dutiful, fraught with anxiety and doomed to failure, research showing that 80% of resolutions bite the dust by February. Interestingly, this is the same percentage of people who possess an optimism bias – the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive experiences.

The way we think about the future seems to affect both health and happiness. The link between thoughts, emotions, and behaviour shapes our actions. So if we don’t set out positively, why set out at all? According to counsellors, visualising ourselves in longed-for places of success or happiness can be a powerful motivator and will facilitate the process of reaching our targets.

Disillusionment with New Year resolutions is an admission that, contrary to the mantra of popular culture, we don’t have the control we think we have. Floored by our own weakness, we come face to face with personal levels of strength and determination and find them wanting.

The Bible has much to say about change. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11). ‘Do not worry about tomorrow,’ says Jesus (Matthew 6:25–34), with Paul concurring: instead, ‘present your requests to God’ (Philippians 4:6–7). Paul also talks about being transformed by renewing our minds because then we will know God’s perfect will (Romans 12:2).

The gospel message relies not on our ability to stay strong, but on God’s grace-filled partnership with us through the death of Jesus. If he prompts us to change things, he will help us. The slow work of transformation begins not on a single day, but in a single moment – this one. Then the next one…

On our frontlines, let’s be honest about how hard change is, whether we have resolutions or not. Let’s be ready to share our stories of God’s grace and strength when life and longing stretch us into shapes we don’t recognise, leaving us overwhelmed not only by a new year but a new day. The people God brings into our lives in 2025 will each have their own moments of change, good and bad. How can we help and encourage them?

Zumba, anyone?

Deborah Jenkins

Deborah’s a freelance writer, fiction author, teacher, and pastor’s wife. She blogs at stillwonderinghere.net. You can find out more about her books here.

Comments

  1. ‘Floored by our own weakness’ says it exactly! A very thoughtful article which gives encouragement rather than condemnation.

    By Fran  -  31 Jan 2025
  2. This is s true and profound!
    Deborah is always encouraging and wise. We all need reminders of teaching from the Bible!

    By Shirley Fiddimore  -  31 Jan 2025
  3. A very profound and wise article referring to the Bible! Thank you Deborah.

    By Shirley Fiddimore  -  31 Jan 2025

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