Pro.15v22: Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Do New Year resolutions really work? I know many people have made certain resolutions concerning this New Year and there is no problem with that. The main problem is in the fulfilment of those resolutions.

By the way, what is a New Year Resolution?
It’s either of the following:
-A promise to do things differently in the New Year.
-A promise to yourself or decide to do something significant to improve one’s behaviour or lifestyle. These are some dimensions of what a New Year Resolution is. However, as good as your New Year Resolution may be, it needs careful planning for it to materialize.

This is what our text scripture in Proverbs 15 verse 22 talks about. This is why I love the Contemporary English Version of this Scripture i.e. “Without Good advice, everything goes Wrong. It takes careful Planning for things to go right.”
This is why you need to get all the help you can in order to actualize your New Year Resolutions.

So What Makes a New Year Different?

1. It’s for you to Change. The new Year won’t be different if you still remain the same old you. It’s only a changed person that can bring about a Change. You can’t put New Wine into Old Wine Skin (Lk.5v37). If you refuse to change, things won’t be different. What changes a New Year is not crossing into a new year or just finding new opportunities but for you to change. I know from experience that change is not easy and that it will cost you something, but the big question is whether you are ready to change or not. So how can you change? What are the things that can help you to change this Year?

i. You need God to Change. Most of the time, you cannot change yourself; this is why you need God. You need the help of God to effect any meaningful change in your life. So don’t be too ashamed or proud to ask God to help you. Those who cry out to him will never be put to shame (Ps.127v1: Gen.32v26).

ii You need Accountability Partners. You need Good people or the right kind of people in your life if you will really change for the better. These people come into your life in the form of Mentors, Coaches, Friends, Contemporaries etc., in order to experience real Change. So who are your accountability Partners? (Pro.13v20; 2Cor.8v21).

iii You need Time to change. Change does not just take place overnight. It’s never a day’s job but a daily job. For the most part, change is a gradual effort. So my dear brothers and sisters, you need to give yourself a chance to change. You will fall, make mistakes, and have good experiences; just make sure you don’t grow. You need to know that there is no overnight success, but real success takes Time. So give yourself a fair chance to succeed. Keep showing up every day until your profiting is evident to all and even after that, don’t stop changing (2Cor.3v18).

My Dearly Beloved Ones, I am persuaded that as you apply yourself to the principle of change, things will begin to change for the better. May your results this year be far better than last year in Jesus name, amen.

Other Scriptural References: (Rom.12v3; Lk.15v37; Pro.17v16; Amos 3v3; Ps.118v5; 1Chro.4v9; 1Sam.10v6; Matt.4v13; Acts 4v13; 1Sam.2v21, 26: 3v1,19).

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, I receive Grace to make good my promises in this new year in Jesus name, amen.

CONFESSION: In the name of Jesus Christ, my new year resolutions will work this year. I embrace the culture of change, and as I change, things are also changing for the better. This is my testimony and experience this year. This year, I have a different story to tell. Thank you, Jesus!