~you could ‘fail’ at yet another resolution then dwell on that when you look BACK… I’d rather look forward & do what I can to LIVE in HIS Grace each moment
~Don’t take life for granted; God does not promise us a tomorrow…
~If it’s meant to be, it’ll be! His will, not mine

Actually, Scot, those reasons you give to NOT make resolutions are very good ones.
6. You will be angry at yourself and feel so guilty for not keeping your resolutions. We have enough reasons to feel guilty…we don’t need more.

Actually, I find New Year’s resolutions very helpful. Usually, I make 3-6 resolutions at the beginning of the year (or half year) and see which ones “stick”. Yes, some resolutions won’t work – that’s OK. But one or two will.
Last year, one of my resolutions was to finish a sprint triathlon. And I made that goal! But some of my other goals I didn’t make. So what? I made some improvement in my life over the last year, so the resolution process was a success.
How did I finish training for the triathlon? By telling most of my coworkers and friends that I had resolved to do so. That, I think is the key. If you make resolutions, make sure that other people know about them, too.

The problem I have with them is that we should be renewing ourselves daily, not once a year. Shouldn’t we approach life with good intentions everyday?

i don’t think it is legalism to set goals to grow in areas of spiritual, emotional and physical growth. or even to set goals in ministry or job growth. without goals we do not aim for anything. I would rather aim and make some sort of progress than not.

Interesting, Scot. I just posted on resolutions, this morning, more serious (not to say you’re not being serious and a bit meandering. For me resolutions can be helpful only if in the air of grace, the grace of God given in Jesus. I also think they could help us grow in needed areas in our lives. For example for years I was plagued with anxiety and the accompanying fear. I refer to that on the post, and a wrong resolution I made at a certain time opposed to what might be a right, or better resolution in line with God’s word to us in Jesus. And goals like Pat refers to can be good in the form of resolutions. I’m not seeing them as oaths or vows, but more like simply a resolve to respond to God’s revealed will and grace in Jesus.
We are involved in the process of sanctification. Though God knows all perfectly and we imperfectly in part, shouldn’t we be a part of that process in both seeing our weakness and confessing our sins before God, and seeking to grow toward Christ likeness in regard to a specific matter? And I’m thinking that resolving not to do this or that, or resolving to do something can be helpful, as long as it’s all in the grace of God, both for forgiveness and change.
Jesus community

Being among those who follow the Church year, I appreciate regular intervals where there is a call for self examination and repentance. Of course there are also times when the people are called to just celebrate. The point is that the rhythm and the reminders are a grace to help form us spiritually.
On some level an annual ritual to make resolutions to improve one’s life is akin to this valuable practice. On the other hand, the practice of the Church year is focused on one’s relationship with God, whereas the New Year’s resolution is often prompted by a humanistic pursuit of an ideal self.

Ah Scot, good to see you are still tongue in cheek…interesting place for the tongue. Hope that you are better than well, and hope that you are continuing, not only to hope, but still to exceed your grasp! So appreciate the depth of love you bring to the table. -Dana

Couldn’t disagree with you more. I know it’s fun and interesting to be the ‘devil’s advocate’ sometimes in a season where everyone is pushing for resolutions and goals. Also, a lot of people are reminded of all the things that they hadn’t done ~ so they decide to do nothing. Honestly, I think that there are way too many people doing nothing.
We just end up on the treadmill of life going by every day and never working for anything greater. Goals help us center on what’s really important. They help us reaccess where our priorities and our energies are going. And, most of all, they help us challenge ourselves to be the best US that we can be.
I understand that it’s cute and funny and will get some hits… but truly use your influence to challenge others to become all that they can be. It’s a much more productive use of your time.
GP

Why not make a new years resolution? Because I’ll start feeling guilty once I start not keeping them, and I already feel guilty enough…

Last year one of my buddies made a resolution to be more funny; after he told his wife, she started keeping track of every time he was funny. By December she had only credited him with 8 funnies….. guess that’s another reason to not make a resolution, they can easily backfire. I hope he doesn’t resolve to be more serious this year!

I tend not to make New Years resolutions, I find it is better to take one day at a time, and sometimes, one hour at a time, doing deep breathing & meditation to pass thru the most difficult of times.