This time of year, every year, almost half of all Americans make at least one resolution for the new year. I’m just like everyone else. I make ‘em and I break ‘em. A recent poll shows most resolutions are to improve health, life, behavior and get closer to God. I can’t tell you how many gym memberships, promises to diet and exercise, and works to improve my behavior, save money, etc., have gone by the wayside. I’m lucky if any of my resolutions last a month.
There is one resolution, to get closer to God, when you keep it, however imperfectly done, helps in multiple areas. So this year my resolution to get closer to God is to stop putting God in a box. I’m guilty of trying to help God out by taking care of little things … not praying about everything. Boy, I’ve been doing it wrong for 70+ years.
The best way to get to know someone, anyone, is to learn about them. That starts by reading (the Bible). The Mayo Clinic states that reading the Bible can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress and improve your overall health and behavioral issues. Less worry … better sleep … what more could you ask for?
In addition, to know someone you have to talk to them. That’s where prayer comes in. God already knows your heart, so I’m going to practice praying a lot more. God desires that we grow in our faith, not just stay spiritually immature. We grow spiritually through discipleship by being humble, resisting temptations and sinfulness, and doing the good that God has called us to do. I’m going to pray that God will reveal ways that I can become more mature in my faith. By devoting my heart to God, reading the Bible, being with other believers, and spending intentional time with God, I can grow spiritually mature this year.
In Luke 12, Jesus tells his disciples, and us, not to worry. The Apostle Paul echoes that sentiment in Philippians 4:6-7: “[D]o not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Yes, this year I expect my resolution to not put God in a box to have physical, mental and emotional rewards. Will your resolution do the same?
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! available at Amazon.com Learn more about Cary John Efurd Ministries by liking our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CJEMinistries) and downloading our FREE mobile app (get.theapp.co) from App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, allow notifications to keep you up to date on what’s happening in Cary John Efurd Ministries. Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com. Feel free to comment on her blog, The Second Mile, at www.debbyefurd.com .
Tagged: health journey, new year, prayer, scripture
