For many of us, the beginning of a new year offers a time to think about the future, a time to plan for positive changes in our lives. But as you probably know, making New Year’s resolutions is a lot easier than carrying them out!
Even the great Apostle Paul confessed, “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice…. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:19, 24).
Fortunately, Paul found an answer to his question. In the next verses he writes, “I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (7:25, 8:2).
And at another time the Apostle wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
God has given us the ability to change things, and ourselves, for the better. All through history, from Noah and Abraham to Edison and Lincoln and Billy Graham and my own parents, God has enabled men and women to do exciting, seemingly impossible things, proving that we can be “workers together with Him” (2 Corinthians 6:1).
How can we harness His divine power to transform ourselves–and our world–for the better? We only need travel the right roads.
1. Travel the road of total trust.
It is God’s will that we trust Him completely. Turn all your plans and panic and problems over to Him. Believe that God is in charge, that He has a plan and will work for your good in all things (Romans 8:28). When something terrible happens (as it does at times to all of us), trust God to bring good out of it.
2. Travel the road of positive affirmation.
Positive affirmations work! Every day feed your mind hopeful, positive statements. Begin with these:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things [that you need] shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
In due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9).
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
3. Travel the road of the forward look.
The Apostle Paul knew the importance of forward thinking. “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” (Philippians 3:13). The important thing to do about the past is to extract whatever know-how or wisdom it may contain–then forget it.
Look ahead, never back. Make sure you have a clearly-defined goal. Hold it in the conscious mind until it sinks into the unconscious. Then you will be well on your way to the success you imagine.
May the roads you travel this year bring you closer to the Savior and to your own personal best.
