The best New Year’s resolutions are flexible and can’t be broken with a single slip-up. If you resolve never to eat desserts, then one donut will shoot you down. On the other hand, if you decide to eat healthier, every day you have the opportunity to accomplish that goal anew. Below are five flexible spiritual resolutions for the year.
- Interact more with people and less with your phone.
Do you often find yourself lost in your smartphone while surrounded by family or friends? Phones are a great tool, but as this new year begins, make a promise to yourself and those close to you that you’ll make them a higher priority than your phone.
- Take care of your soul.
You may think otherwise, but what you watch and listen to does affect you. You think a movie with bad language won’t influence you, and all that violence is no big deal. But the truth is, the constant pounding of unchristian messages from our media makes a lasting impact. As you go through life, you’re shaped by what you see and hear. You only have one soul; don’t throw trash at it that’s unworthy of its splendor.
- Be kinder.
Spread the love of God with a smile. Leave a big tip, even when the service isn’t great. Open doors for others. Be kind even when you’re not feeling it. A smile on your face can lead to joy in your heart.
- Forgive someone.
It’s not easy to forgive someone who has hurt you. But the more you hold on to a hurt, the more it hurts you. Try starting small to see if your grace will grow. When someone cuts you off in traffic, let it go. The more you forgive, the less the world can hurt you.
- Don’t forget to forgive yourself.
God is perfect; you’re not. It’s one thing to have high expectations, but don’t beat yourself over the head with them. Allow yourself to make mistakes without heaping on negative self-talk. Remember God has forgiven you. He looks through your sins and sees Jesus’ blood.
The New Year is here, and along with it comes a new chance to become more like Christ. Will you succeed at doing that every day? Of course not. (See #5 above.) But long-term victory comes through winning small battles. This is a New Year and a new chance to grow!