Inviting God Into My New Year’s Resolution Planning
“See, I am doing something new!” (Isaiah 43:19).
Another Resolution Bites the Dust
The Scene: A Previous New Year’s Day
“It’s a new year! I am finally done with ________________ (fill in a commitment that sucked up an abundance of time and energy). Now, I will finally get back to exercising and eating healthy.”
More than a few of us have thought a similar sentiment on a number of past New Year’s Days. Last year, having completed a master’s degree, I had good reason to think that I was going to return to the “me” who had run marathons, completed triathlons, and enjoyed returning from pre-dawn morning swims getting in and out of the pool to 30-degree temperatures. I simply needed to finish my classes and exams, and I would again have the time and energy—I mistakenly thought.
As the months passed by and new pressing time commitments clogged the to-do list, I realized that my issue was not the lack of time or energy but the lack of motivation. It was gone, and it wouldn’t matter if I suddenly had a completely open calendar; the motivation to exercise or care for the physical body was gone.
The Social Media Post I Needed to See
Many of us have been in situations when there seemed to be a divine hand involved. Such was the moment when a comment by the Catholic Fasting Coach in the Catholic Women in Business Facebook group caught my eye. By just the name alone, I knew this comment was directed to me, since I had already begun to experience the benefits of incorporating faith into most areas of my life. I had heard about the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of fasting, and I had previously experienced the benefits of a coach.
At that moment, 11 months after my initial resolution to exercise and eat better, I made a split-second decision to stop wasting time. I decided to end the excuses. I decided to surrender.
Within a week, I began the program. I was finally inviting God on my journey to improved health. It’s not a surprise that it is what I needed to have done all along.
God Works by Stretching Us Upward
Relieved to be in a place of surrender, I now just needed to follow the program, which in large part includes specifics about how to incorporate God into improving your health.
Did I think I had the time to add things to my to-do list, such as journaling or attending church more frequently? Of course not. But given that nothing else seemed to motivate me, I was willing to give it a shot.
It took only a short while to see that in doing so, I gave God the time to help me stretch upward, which, in turn, helped me stop stretching outward. After one month, I have seen:
Each day is off to a better start when I spend time communicating with God; reflecting on someone I will be praying for, a Scripture verse, what went well yesterday, what I am grateful for, and forgiveness of self or others; and connecting virtues and vices with goals.
Attending church more than once a week orders my life to God, which then puts all else, including exercise and cooking, in positions that receive more of my attention.
My journal entries exposed several personal and professional areas that are seemingly unrelated to exercise and food intake but actually had an oversized impact on both.
There are many ministries that help incorporate the Lord into movement. If I click on a SoulCore video, within minutes, my body and soul are exercising with others who seek to stretch upward, not outward.
I lost 5% of my weight during Advent due to fasting from flour, sugar, and alcohol for 5½ days of each week. I am happily enjoying the outward and inward benefits.
Scripture for New Resolutions
One thing I did not expect is that the Scripture verse I jot down at the beginning of the day seems to have the most lasting impact on my achieving my daily objectives. Here are the verses that remind me to continuously invite God on my journey instead chasing a New Year’s resolution alone:
“Remember not the things of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new!” (Isaiah 43:18-19).
“Be patient” (James 5:7).
“For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
“Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others” (Colossians 3:23).
“Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayers and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Rejoicing in the Resolution
By surrendering and inviting God to help me with my resolution to improve my health, I ultimately am asking him to help me align my will to his. By doing so, I continue the Advent season mindset and acknowledge that there is reason to rejoice whether the calendar reads December 15 or June 15.
God is alongside me on the days I follow the plan as well as on the days when I stumble. The difference between this resolution and those of the past is now I resolve to be closer to him. I’ll enjoy celebrating that all year round.
Linda A. Burrows is an attorney specializing in trusts and estates in southern California. She is the founder of Soul Soda, a non-profit with the mission of refreshing faith in those, particularly Catholics, who are feeling disconnected from their religious roots. She is a wife and mother of three teens. Linda’s Confirmation name was that of St. Gabriel the Archangel.