People are always looking for ways to improve themselves and the lives of their families, and usually a New Year resolution reflects that. If you’re searching for a resolution that will make a lasting difference in your life, look no further than strengthening your faith and deepening your relationship with the Lord. No matter how long you’ve been a Christian, or how strong your faith is, you can always press in deeper to His love and His Word. As with any goal, there are some tips to help you stay focused and moving forward.

Set realistic goals that you can actually accomplish

Setting realistic goals is an important tool for success. It can be tempting to start aiming for grand objectives right away, but the best way to achieve your goals is to start small and work your way up. Focusing on attainable tasks will allow you to build momentum and increase motivation. Clearly define your goal, as well as what needs to be done in order for them to be achieved. This strategy makes any goal seem more realistic and easier to manage. 

How to make more time for Bible reading and praying

You probably already know that reading your Bible and praying are a crucial part of deepening your relationship with the Lord, but have you found yourself forgetting or running out of time at the end of the day for these important rituals? One of the best ways to make time for Bible reading and prayer is to simply block off time on your calendar for it. Take an honest look at your existing schedule and make a commitment to fit these two activities in. Once you make that decision, it’s important to be willing to sacrifice other activities – sometimes that means cutting back on TV or waking up a little earlier- but it can make a huge difference in your ability to spend meaningful amounts of time diving deeper into the Word and speaking with God. 

The lasting impact of strengthening your relationship with Jesus

Building a relationship with Jesus is incredibly transformative. Understanding His teachings and letting the living Word transform your heart and thoughts will have an impact on every part of your life. If you’ve lost the joy of your faith, or are struggling with fear or bondage of some kind, drawing close to Jesus. Find a small group or Bible study to join to have brothers and sisters in Christ to walk this road with. There’s no better goal or resolution than to grow closer to God!

Stick to your plan and don’t give up

Sticking to your plan requires focus, resilience, and most of all God’s help. Throughout this process, it’s important to not give up when challenges come up- and they will. Maybe people in your life will be offended or annoyed by your renewed devotion, or maybe you’ll find the draw of distractions stronger than before. Whatever happens, rather than abandoning the plan altogether, take the time to reassess why something might not be working. Use this as an opportunity to rethink the approach that you are taking. Set yourself up for spiritual success by making changes in your schedule when you have to and be tenacious with your quiet time!

Celebrate your accomplishments at the end of the year

As the end of the year approaches, it is important to reflect on your accomplishments and celebrate your wins. Whether big or small, taking time to acknowledge the progress you made throughout the year can be incredibly empowering and motivating for new goals. One way to do this is writing a letter to yourself listing the ways you’ve grown or what you’ve learned. Celebrating individual triumphs reminds us that our growth is valuable and worthwhile.

Here’s to a Happy New Year, and walking closer with God than ever before! 

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