NEW YEAR, NEW ME!!!!
Hiiiiii! I hope you’re doing well?
As we approach the new year, let’s talk about New year resolutions. Do you remember yours from last year? Whether you succeeded or not, congratulations on trying!
But this is basically to aid those that have thoughts on getting spiritual consistency and discipline and the only thoughts of starting they’ll have is next year. But this will be a penny wise and pound foolish.
They want to start praying consistently, they want to start fasting, they want to evangelise and study their Bible but haven’t thought about how it will go, even at this moment. And something about spiritual growth is that, it doesn’t come by impartation or by throwing a coin into a wishing well, it comes by deliberately putting in effort as God’s spirit supplies strength.
This isn’t about criticism or mockery, but preparation. The holiday rush brings motivation, but statistics show that 40-50% set resolutions (health and personal growth), 8-10% fully achieve their goals, 23% give up within the first week and 50% quit within six months.
To avoid these pitfalls, let’s prepare now.
My personal study identifies three types of people:
1. Goal-setters who achieve success.
They are characterized by clear vision, focus, and determination. They break down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks, they create accountability systems, they celebrate progress and learn from setbacks.
2. Goal-setters who don’t achieve success.
They most often struggle with procrastination, lack of motivation, or unrealistic expectations. They may set overly ambitious or vague goals, fail to create a support system or track progress.
3. Those who don’t set goals.
They may feel overwhelmed, may lack direction, or be satisfied with the status quo. They often miss opportunities for growth and improvement.
Everyone grows differently, and some goals may seem modest but are significant to the individual. For spiritual growth and discipline, don’t wait till January 1st. Start now!
Strategies for Achieving Spiritual Consistency and Discipline:
1. Praying and seeking God’s guidance: you know you should pray, right? right?
2. Seeking wisdom (Proverbs 24:3-4)
Listening to sermons, attending workshops or Bible study and reading inspirational books.
3. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals because some set overly ambitious goals leading to discouragement.
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
Measurable: Track your progress.
Achievable: Set realistic targets.
Relevant: Align goals with values and priorities.
Time-bound: Establish deadlines.
4. Joining a support group or finding accountability partners.
Statistics shows that this method boosts success rate by 10-30%. You can share your goals and progress with trusted friends or mentors. You can participate in group studies or prayer meetings, and you can regularly check-in for encouragement and guidance.
5. Starting healthy challenges.
You can start now by incorporating these daily disciplines:
- Listen to a sermon every day
- Prioritize Bible study before checking your phone or having breakfast
- Fast twice a week
- Share Jesus' message with someone every two days
- Pray for and encourage a friend
Remember, if you stumble, don’t let guilt stop you. Instead, pick yourself up and continue striving for spiritual growth.
As Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, this message serves as a safeguard to help you maintain consistency beyond the new year's motivation. Take action now and set yourself up for success.
Best wishes on your journey!
