Don’t Forget Your Faith When Setting New Year’s Resolutions This Year

New Years is only a couple of days away! Will you be one of the millions of Americans who set New Year’s resolutions this year?

Personally, I love goal-setting, though I don’t generally wait until January 1st to do it. Seems like I always have a to-do list a mile long of all of the things I want to accomplish, between blogging, home, relationships and bettering myself personally!

 

According to this article on nielson.com, the most popular New Year’s Resolution for 2015 was “stay fit and healthy,” followed closely by “lose weight,” “enjoy life to the fullest,” and “spend less, save more.”

One thing you’ll notice from lists like these, however, is that faith-based New Year’s Resolutions rarely make the list. Which is sad, considering our spiritual life should be the MOST important part of our lives by far!

So this year, whether you want to lose weight, save money, get organized or anything else–that’s great! But don’t forget to set a few Christian New Year’s Resolutions as well.

*This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for additional information.

 

Not sure what types of Christian New Year’s Resolutions to set?

 

Why not try one of these:

• Read your Bible 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week
• Create a prayer list of 3-7 names and pray for each person every morning
• Attend church every Sunday without fail
• Increase your tithing to 10% every week
• Join or create a Bible study with other believers
• Do one random act of kindness a week for the entire year
• Join the church choir and attend practices faithfully
• Cultivate friendships with three other Godly women
• Find a mentor, or become a mentor to someone else
• Sign up to volunteer at church in some capacity
• Read through the entire Bible in one year

 

Don’t get all legalistic about it, of course. Just choose something measurable and attainable to help keep you on track.

 

Of course, simply setting a goal isn’t enough. You ALSO need to be able to follow through – which is usually easier said than done!

That’s why I wanted to make sure you knew about a really awesome Christian goal-setting resource I love – Grace Goals by Arabah Joy.

 

With 48 pages of solid, Biblical direction and advice, Grace Goals contains TONS of practical information, Scripture verses, printable worksheets and study guides to help you set and achieve your biggest goals – all from a Biblical perspective.

Whether you need to stop yelling at your children, stop worrying so much or start giving your husband the respect and support he deserves, Grace Goals will help you do just that.

I have my copy already, and I hope you’ll grab yours too!

 

 

 

Curious what types of faith-based goals OTHER people are setting?

 

While researching for this post, I reached out to several well-known Christian bloggers, authors and speakers to find out what types of faith-based New Year’s Resolutions they were making for 2016, and this is what they had to say:

 

“Thinking about important stuff–that’s my goal for 2016! I want to drown out the noise of the news and social media by filling my mind with Good Stuff. So I’m going to add to my devotional time by rereading all of C.S. Lewis, and then I’m going to buy a really good journal to write down the thoughts that he inspires!”

–Sheila Wray Gregoire, To Love Honor and Vacuum

 

“I plan to improve my faith in the new year by seeking instead of striving. It’s so easy to spend our time trying when God really just wants us to rest in Him.”

–Kristen Welch, We are THAT Family

 

“Focus first on God. Let the rest fall into place once that is your priority.”

–Kim Sorgius, Not Consumed

 

“I actually have on my 2016 Goals List a separate section dedicated to improving my spiritual life and I recommend everyone making it a separate area on his or her goals list. I’m planning to read at least two books that are geared towards diving deeper in faith and I plan to attend at least one spiritual retreat. I also plan to give of my time by volunteering at least once at my church – with three kids ages 3 and under, volunteering is a bit of a challenge.”

–Jessi Fearon, The Budget Mama

 

“I plan to improve my faith in 2016 by being intentional –seeking God in prayer before getting out of bed and starting my day, so I get His wisdom and perspective on what my priorities for the day should be, and what REALLY matters.”

–Kathie Morrissey, The Character Corner

 

“I hope to improve my faith by spending more time with HIM!  The movie War Room really moved me this year, it is so easy to get caught up in so many things that we do not truly take the time to have the one on one time with Jesus!  The kind of time that isn’t seen but is there, the hidden moments you spend talking and praying to the Lord.  It is so easy for that to get lost even for Christians, I long to be in HIS presence more!”

Angela Richter, Together with Family

 

“This year I want to be intentional about taking monthly personal retreats. I’ve seen great spiritual growth through deliberate times of reflection and evaluation.”

–Arabah Joy, Arabah Joy

 

“Galatians 2:10 says, ‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.’ In 2016, I am purposing to improve my faith by kneeling as Jesus knelt to wash the feet of those He has called me to serve. I am praying for eyes to see as Jesus sees so that I can walk as He intends for me to walk.”

–Leigh Ann Dutton, Intentional By Grace

 

 

What New Year’s Resolutions will you be making this year? Will you be making any faith-based ones?