We start with the best intentions to eat healthier, exercise more, etc., but something happens (usually by the second week in January, unfortunately), and we lose resolve.  But then one of her friends piped in with a comment that really struck me. She said we shouldn’t think of it as making resolutions—we should look at it as a lifestyle change. A resolution can be broken or forgotten, but if you actually focus on changing your habits and your way of life, the new pattern of behavior will be more likely to stick. In order to be successful, you also have to look at the spiritual dimensions of your ?resolutions? as well, even ones that at first glance don’t seem to have any spiritual components.

Losing weight and eating healthier – It’s likely the number one resolution for Americans, and it always tops my resolution list. Because let’s face it—no matter how much those ?Special K? and ?Wheaties? commercials claim to offer products that are wholesome, healthy, AND delicious, they will never taste as good as a doughnut. Junk food just tastes better. But as Pastor Chuck remarked in one of his sermons several weeks ago, it takes mind over matter. If our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we have a responsibility to take good care of them. The healthier we are, the more equipped we are to serve His kingdom. Granted, it’s hard to eat healthy in our hectic, fast-food culture, but you’ll be spiritually and physically healthier for doing it.

Exercising – After a long day at work, it’s often hard to muster a lot of enthusiasm to go out and exercise. There are some people who actually claim to like exercising (we all know one of those people), the kind who get up at 4:30 in the morning to jog 12 miles and go to the gym on the weekend for fun; those are the kind of people you’d like to take and shove their face into a sugar-filled, calorie-loaded cream cake – in all Christian love, of course. But again, the healthier lifestyle we lead, the better we’ll feel, and the more able to serve Christ. You can even find ways to build your spiritual health the same time you’re boosting your physical health. Meditate on Scripture as you jog, or pray as you run on the treadmill. Listen to praise and worship songs on your iPod as you work out, or work out with a fellow believer and use it as a time to encourage them spiritually.

Doing a Bible study – I recently started a new job that requires me to be at work fairly early in the morning. As those who know me will attest, I am NOT a morning person, and I found myself hitting the snooze button instead of waking up to do a Bible study. But the Lord brought me under conviction for this, and I realized that an extra 10 minutes of sleep wasn’t really going to make me feel that much more rested. I would be much better off using that time to dig into God’s word and receiving spiritual nourishment. Maybe you’re like me, and you’re not a morning person, but I guarantee making even a small time commitment to do a Bible study will result in a better day. Even if it’s just 5 or 10 minutes (and you’ll probably find yourself wanting more), take the time to start your day off right.

I know that I’ll fall short on these goals this year, but I also know God will give me the strength to keeping working. The new year is a great time to make a fresh start, and I encourage you to think about making a fresh start as well.