Sharing is caring!

New Year’s Resolutions or a Plan to Thrive . . .

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. A history of multiple failures has caused me to take a different approach to starting out a new year. Life is different every year, and along with it comes challenges, struggles, joy and suffering.  So, what if you’re two weeks into the new year and already failing on your resolutions, so earnestly made?

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

Ponderings

Back in the day, and I know I’m probably dating myself here. I used to think that when I was a bit older, life would be easier. My kids would be grown, I’d be finished homeschooling, my husband would have a thriving career, I’d be less busy, and a few other thoughts . . . I know these were unrealistic thoughts, because God’s plan doesn’t always match up with what we have planned. So, it got me thinking about life’s struggles, new year’s resolutions and even suffering well with Christ and what that looks like.

A bit of thought gathering

I’ve been thinking about this topic for weeks, and even did a bit of Bible journaling on the subject. But, I’ve had a difficult time knitting all my random thoughts together as they relate to new year’s resolutions, life’s struggles and how to thrive in the midst. The Lord answered my heartfelt prayer and spoke to me through His Word this week as I studied Romans 8:17-27. I hope He will speak to you too in the midst of your busy life. Whether it be a season of rest and joy or a season of suffering and groaning.

Struggles

Everyone has some sort of struggle or suffering in their life. Daily work in order to pay the bills, chronic illness, aging parents, wayward or sick children, worries about your future, just to name a few.  We can really get bogged down in the muck and mire of everyday life before we even realize. But if our thoughts are where they should be, we can focus on what lies ahead with Jesus and our future glory, and our suffering won’t overtake us! In my Bible Study Fellowship notes this week, I was struck by this:

Suffering is heavy. It weighs us down, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Paul knew what it was to suffer greatly. Nevertheless, in Romans 8 Paul says the weight or intensity of our sufferings is not worth comparing with the glory to come. Paul, steeped in the Old Testament, knew that “glory” in Hebrew denotes something weighty. Our future glory is so “heavy” that we will come to see our sufferings as they truly are: as light as feathers. Paul, who had actually glimpsed heaven’s glory, knew there is no comparison. Glory “far outweighs” all our sufferings. (BSF Lesson 14, Romans 8:18-27)

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

What weighs more? Suffering or glory?

Wow! Have you ever compared the weight of your sufferings with the weight of your future glory? What does our future glory even mean? For starters, we will be rewarded for good works that were done “in Christ”, we will have great intimacy with God because we will be in His very presence, we will have an eternity to enjoy serving and worshiping God, and so much more! One day, every believer will joyfully stand before God, accepted in Christ and get to share in His glory. As a believer, we belong to Him–He’s our Father and He accepts us, welcomes us, and shares His glory with us.  These thoughts have really given me pause as I think on new year’s resolutions and my life here. 

So, new year’s resolution or a plan to thrive?

Life here as we await Christ’s return is not without joy, for sure, but there is a lot of frustration and groaning on the part of all of God’s creation.

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. . .

I understand the pains of childbirth having given birth to three kids. Nine months of discomfort and back pain with the excruciating pain of childbirth to anticipate. But oh once those precious babies were born, my only thought was, “it was absolutely worth every moment of suffering, because seeing those sweet little ones face to face wipes all that pain away”. I think that’s the outlook we need to have. What we have to look forward to is so far beyond any literary description, that any trials we have now will be light as feathers in comparison to the weight of our joy and glory.

But how do I keep a longterm view?

We have much to look forward to, but we need an anchor for our hope. It digs into the solid earth below, is unmovable and is there to hold us fast.

Hebrews 6:17-20 (NIV) ¹⁷ Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²⁰ where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

I’ve determined that this year, rather than a resolution, I have a plan. For the first time, the Lord even gave me a word to claim and hold onto–“Thrive”. I’m planning to live life well, honoring the Lord today even in the struggles of taking care of my sweet 90 year old mom with advanced dementia.  I’m clinging to hope of that promised future and holding tight to Jesus’ hand every day.

Rooted in His Word

I need constant reminders of that hope–maybe you do too. So, I’m studying God’s Word in-depth, particularly the book of Romans this year. Bible art journaling is new to me, but a way in which I’ve discovered feeds my soul differently than studying and writing. Maybe you would like to color and study and experience scripture in a different way. I have a LOT of examples on Pinterest that will get you going. just click on the link in the sidebar and head over to Inspired and Refreshed. I have a Bible Journaling board to get your creative juices flowing. Or, if you click the link below I will send you some free hand drawn art that you can easily trace into your journal or Bible and then color.

Or if you want to study using an simple method, I wrote a devotional book using an easy three step method that incorporates studying with coloring. It’s a great way to grow and create at the same time. I wrote a post about it here, or you can get the book on Amazon, [amazon_textlink asin=’1546722289′ text=’here’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’inspiredblog-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c2d04674-fb0f-11e7-bfb9-21d170fe8711′].

Inspired, Peace in the Garden Devotional Coloring | Bible Study

Whatever you choose, pray, have a plan to thrive this year, and let me know if I can encourage you along the way. It would be a privilege to pray for you and lift you up!

God bless you and keep you,

Sally

Numbers 6:24-26 ‘“The Lord bless you and keep you the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

{{Privy:Embed campaign=333333}}