Each New Year millions of people make resolutions in order to experience new beginnings. Unfortunately, many couples are so busy with work and family responsibilities that most New Year Resolutions are desperate attempts at restoring order to their lives through better time management, exercise, diet or carving out leisure time. I believe that these types of resolutions have value and instill hope for a better quality of life. However, each year brings unforeseen challenges that are beyond the control of each person. The majority of these challenges or events cannot be neutralized through better time management, diet, exercise or more leisure activities.
The keys to changes in exercise or dietary habits, time management or personal schedules involve boundaries and discipline. Unfortunately, these areas are rarely at the top of a person’s strengths list. Fortunately, the New Testament is filled with promises and choices that allow God’s children to overcome all trials and tribulations of each coming year through the power of the Holy Spirit. The following list of New Year Resolutions is based upon biblical wisdom that fills each person with hope, peace, goodness, holiness and righteousness.
Walk in Love
· Ephesians 5:2, And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
o Make a weekly commitment to do an act of love or service for your spouse such as running an errand, making an appointment or cooking them a meal, etc…
Walk in Wisdom
· Ephesians 5:15-16, See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
o Make a daily commitment to pray for wisdom and protection.
o Make a commitment spend five minutes reviewing your conversations and daily experiences to ensure that you are intentional about extending peace and wisdom in your relationships and choices.
Walk as One Flesh
· Ephesians 5:31, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
o Make a weekly commitment to spend time with your spouse, preferably a date night.
o Ask your spouse what you could do to prioritize your relationship over things such as extended family or parenting responsibilities.
* Make a commitment to pray as a couple at least one time per week for God’s love to be more evident in your relationship and family.