As we get near the end of December most of us know what we would like to see happen in the year to come. We have spent time thinking about the changes that need to occur, the bad habits that need to sist, the dreams that have yet to come about, and all the things in between. We know the failures that we have experienced throughout the year and all the things that we could have or should have done. Some of us look back over the past year and are deeply disappointed with ourselves or overcome with sadness from the events that have taken place. Some of us wonder if we will ever be able to get ourselves out of the situation that we got ourselves into or if we will ever see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 As we come into the new year we get filled with new hopes and aspirations, goals to achieve, plans for a better year than the previous, and fresh momentum to do what we need to do. We say to ourselves that we are going to start a diet and get in shape. We say that we are going to pay off debts and save money. We say that we are going to get our priorities in order. Each one of us have different new years resolutions but sadly many of us will end up with the same outcome.

 We will start off the new year with great ambition and motivation to do what we have vowed to ourselves to do. We say to ourselves, “I am going to ____________ this time, I am not going to give up or quit like I have in the past. This year I am going to do it.” We walk around with our head held high and confidence in each step that we take. We tell family and friends how good we are doing and they say, “great job, keep up the good work.” Then February comes and the excitement has started to fade away. We get tired. Something happens that gets (or should I say that we let get) in the way. Our once encouraging thoughts start to become negative and discouraging. We no longer have the mogo that we once had to be a “go getter” and to conquer the world. Soon we find ourselves skipping the workout, buying the thing we want because it is on sale, saying that we will get to it in a little bit, or telling ourselves that we are going to just do it one more time.

 Before we know it we have slipped back into old habits and behaviors. We have stopped reaching for the goal but with full intentions of starting back over again. We tell ourselves that we will start over when we get through this rough patch or starting next month, as soon as this or that, I mean the excuses are endless when it comes to what we tell ourselves, to what lies we tell to ourselves,( that sounds good) to justify why we are not doing what we vowed to ourselves that we were going to do. Then we have guilt and shame that lingers within us because we know that we could be doing better than what we are. Satan uses that guilt and shame to keep us discouraged and to try to keep us from success. But we can set a plan in place ahead of time to defeat his attempts.

 We know that the excitement about doing a new thing or doing something that we have been needing to do is going to probably fade away. We know that we are going to be faced with temptation of some sort to derail our efforts. We know that we are going to get tired of doing something that we do not feel like doing. We know that things are going to happen. So instead of acting as if it’s not going to happen this go round why not prepare for when/if it does? What is it that usually causes you to give up or quit what it is that you are trying to do? What gets in the way of you putting your best foot forward for a better future for yourself? What makes you give up on your dream? Now what are some things that you can do to counteract it? What are somethings that you can do to remotivate yourself? What are somethings that encourage you when you get discouraged? Once you have some things in mind write them down so that you have a list of ideas of what you can do to help you keep going when you want to give up/give in/quit. Then look at your list and decide what you will do when/if it occurs and write it down. It is kind of like you are mapping out potential problems/road blocks and the answers to them so that you have a visual plan to look at and help you to remind yourself of the options that you have.

 We can accomplish what we want to accomplish and make 2024 a prosperous year if we keep our minds set on the prize and rely on God to help guide us and give the strength and power to do what we need to do. He will be faithful to give us what we need to do our part if we ask for it and we will succeed if we stay the course even when we don’t feel like it. God has been waiting for you to step into all that He has planned for you and if you have a defense plan set in place for when your mind, will, emotions, or satan try to hold you back you are much more likely to be able to endure until you finally succeed. And if you, for whatever reason, get derailed just jump back on track and refuse to give up. Even if you have to start over 100 times before you succeed you can not look at yourself as a failure because you have not given up. Sometimes we have/need set backs that teach us lessons that help us to get to where we are trying to go. I believe in you. God believes in you. I am cheering for you. God is cheering for you. I know that you can do whatever you set your mind to and God does too. So start this year off with determination that you will do what you need/want to do and no matter what tries to get in the way of your success you will not give up because you are stronger than you know, smarter than you think you are, and you have the power of God on your side and nobody can stop you!!