3 New Year's Resolutions for the Intentional Lady: 2022 Edition

December 31st. The last day of the year.

Tomorrow is a new day. A brand new year. 365 mornings with mercies that are brand new each day (Lamentations 3:22-23). A new chance. More grace.

I love the new year. There’s an excitement that mounts as I plan new goals and dreams.

For some, the idea of a new year is daunting, even down-right terrifying. So often in life things just don’t always go the way we plan. Just look at how the world has seemed upside down for the last two years. We can become fearful of setting goals and dreaming dreams only to watch them dash against the rocks of unplanned circumstances.

Whether you are gung-ho about resolutions or a little gun shy, here are 3 New Year’s goals that each of us can work toward in 2022:

Pray.

Prayer. Prayer. Prayer. I can’t emphasize prayer enough. We all can work on this one! I’m convinced that we can’t pray enough. A favorite verse of mine is 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”. This means to be in a constant mindset of prayer. Mommas, be in prayer as you wash those dishes and put away the laundry. Students, talk quietly to the Lord as you walk across that campus. Career ladies, keep your mind on Jesus as you stroll into the office. The more you pray, the more you want to pray. We don’t find time for prayer but make time for prayer. Set your alarm for 30 minutes before you normally get up and spend time with God. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Rejoice.

The verse immediately preceding the above mentioned instructs us to “Rejoice evermore.”. Evermore means at all times. Our world is glum. Complaining, worrying, griping, fearing, and sorrowing surround us on all sides, but the Bible says to “rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Rejoice when it’s good! Rejoice when it’s bad! Rejoice when it’s awful! Rejoice in it all! Rejoicing gets the attention of Jesus!

Persevere.

And when you feel like you can’t make it. Just keep taking another step.

My husband and I were talking yesterday about Joseph and his dreams. It’s amazing to me the resilience and perseverance of this man! God gave him a dream but took him through quite the circuitous route to the fulfillment of that dream. Through it all, Joseph kept his integrity. How many of us would have given up as soon as our feet touched the bottom of the pit? If we keep walking we’ll eventually walk right out of the desert. Keep on praying. Keep on rejoicing. Keep on.

I pray 2022 is your best year yet!