A guide to new year resolutions

A guide to new year resolutions

By Oluwatoyosi Adegunle 

Edited by Bibi Babatunde-Ikotun 

Happy new year! Some of us used all our strength to shout 365 hallelujahs during the cross over service, did you? The essence of the excitement is gratitude. People are exceptionally grateful for the privilege to see another new year, I am too! 

1 Thessalonians 5:18(NIV) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Remember to be grateful for everything God has done and given you in the past and new year. The new year is a very big deal because not only is it the start of a decade but it is another opportunity to be reflective, make practical and realistic goals, resolutions, and prepare yourself for what lies ahead. For many of us, this decade is when we will do a lot of our building (families, careers, ministry), it's imperative that we make plans and set goals.

Currently, people think it is outdated and archaic to have new year resolutions, plans, due to the obvious fact that some people make these plans but don't stick to it, which means you make resolutions by January, and halfway through February, they don't 'see' you live your resolutions. It is more personal than general, actually. 

As believers, it is good to have resolutions. You need to literally sit and reflect on the past year, and generally point out things you can improve on, change, cut off (Not talking about people, read this), or adapt to have a more productive and fruitful year.

Here are five resolutions for the new year:

New Year, New you 

Cliché right? Yes, it is! This is not void of responsibility or responsiveness to the things from the past that requires your attention, but this is a position where you actively draw strength, mercy, newness and grace for a new day. This means being stronger, and better than yesterday, and living above whatever chooses to bring you down.

Burn bridges

The bible says evil communication corrupts good manners. In 2020, cut off things, people and activities that deprive you of joy, purity and relationship with God. Let nobody make you feel like you're being childish when you decide to cut off bad energy. It is the right thing to do, and should be done whenever you feel the need to and as led by God. 

Philippians 4:8, NIV: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

The above scripture is the standard here, and anything short of that, then you need to move. To add, this new year is also a great opportunity to mend my broken relationships that is edifying for us as we cut off the ones that don't edify us. Read more here. 

Be diligent

Proverbs 22:29 (NIV) Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

In 2020, be more diligent in your relationship with God, work, business and every purpose /mission that God has given you. Be intentional about your activities, take a bold step, equip yourself, embrace excellence, be proactive, and according to the word of God, you will stand before kings, not mere men. 

Grow in Spirit

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

Study the word of God, pray, meditate on spiritual things, relate and communicate with the Holy Spirit anywhere, every time, because therein lies your strength. The year may not be all rosy and smooth, but spiritual growth guarantees grace and comfort to pull through every time. 

Trust God

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

As much as you make resolutions and plans for the year, trust God completely. Trust and obey God in every decision you make, every challenge, every trial, trust God absolutely because he will come through for you. Be hardworking and trust God, save and invest and trust God as well. Even when you seem to have it all figured out, it pays to depend on God.  

The big idea behind new year resolutions is to actually do them.  Remember, 7 days make a week, 4 weeks make a month, and 12 months make a year, which means you should not be too caught up in the big picture of the year, and you forget that doing them is more fulfilling than writing them down. 

Live every day like a new year! I wish you all the best. 

Cheers! 

Here is the audio version of this blogpost:

About the author

My name is Oluwatoyosi Adegunle. I am a 22-year-old Vlogger, Writer, Presenter, Hairstylist, and Social media manager, living in the city of Lagos, Nigeria.

I love talking about God,  hairstyling, entrepreneur and career growth. I’m passionate about having relatable conversations about Christianity with people,  and also lead people to God with my Christ-influenced lifestyle, and my spiritual experiences and inspiration. 

A message from Bibilamour04

Hi everyone, 

Welcome to the year 2020! I mentioned that big changes are coming this year and we have started implementing those already.

Oluwatoyosi is now a part of the www.bibilamour04.com family, get familiar with her name and her style of writing. She is also an amazing writer and lover of Jesus. You can connect with her on Twitter here.

Posts will go up on www.bibilamour04.com every Friday at 7pm (WAT), nothing changes with this. While the audio version handled by me will be up every Monday at 7pm (WAT). You can subscribe to my channel here.

Here are my prayers for you this new year.

This new year, you shall conquer new territories effortlessly. No stress, no toiling and no struggling because you have the Midas touch powered by the Holy Ghost.

With love,

Bibi