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Before you set your resolutions, do this

They’re probably already there—dozens of emails in my inbox, and updates in my social media feed, promising to help me accomplish ALL my life goals in this upcoming new year.

‘Tis the season for goals and resolutions.

I can choose from a menu of self-improvement goals: lose weight, get fit, declutter, get my finances in order, and/or generally take control of my life.

This menu of ambitions tempts me, but BEFORE I hunker down to plan my goals, I want to make sure that I’m not prematurely lured into resolutions that get me nowhere.

Here’s how I define a resolution that gets me nowhere:

A resolution and/or goal that I set based on ANY criteria other than “Jesus and I talked about it and here’s what he suggested I focus on.”

Now here’s the deal about hearing Jesus—I need to create space for him to talk. This seems easy enough, but I know from personal experience that when I’m all cluttered up with the debris from Christmas (and the entire previous year) hearing is hard.

So here’s how I’m creating space to slow down and let Jesus help me set goals:

I’m decluttering my physical space. Now this isn’t spring cleaning, so I don’t need to be scrubbing grout with toothbrushes or anything. I’m just talking about tidying up and clearing out.

>> Related: the real value of decluttering that experts don't talk about

I’m decluttering my heart. One morning this week I’m spending time asking the Holy Spirit to help me let go of any resentment or unforgiveness I’m holding on to. I'll be writing down what I hear in my journal and then praying for help to let go. I don’t want to bring that baggage into a new year, thank you very much.

I’m decluttering my thoughts, specifically as they relate to goals. I’m going to write out all the things I’d like to accomplish in this next year as, talking to Jesus about them as I go. I’m not going to edit myself, so he’ll hear a lot of selfish goals, and impossible goals, and goals I don’t even dare put down on paper because they feel so sacred in my heart. Then, once it’s all out, I’m surrendering these plans and ideas by figuratively laying the whole lot at his feet. Then I’m saying the thing that needs to be said: Jesus, I choose your plans, not mine.

>> Related: How I learned to hear Jesus' voice

And then I’m going to wait on him. However long it takes, or how uncomfortable I get, I’m going to give him a chance to move into that space I’ve created and speak to me. We’ll see what happens.

Join me, will you? Here's a FREE PRINTABLE CHECKLIST for you to use to prepare your heart for the new year using these three steps.

Let’s see what Jesus has to say about this new year because I bet it will surprise us.

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Showing 5 comments
  • Jim Ellis
    Reply

    Great Insight for 2017

  • Liz
    Reply

    Great suggestions!

  • Stu
    Reply

    I always find it interesting how Jesus speaks to us sometimes through other people

  • Moses Anemhen
    Reply

    Thank God being a part.

  • Joy
    Reply

    I love your planner . So unique and Jesus cantered . Keep up your good work!

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