START THE NEW YEAR WITH A NEW ATTITUDE
In just a few days, we will be ushering in another New Year and hopefully a new attitude. I love this time of the year because it is full of possibilities. We are starting with a brand new slate, and what was in the past doesn’t matter because we all get a “re-start” on January 1st. This time of the year is when so many of us are picking a “WORD OF THE YEAR” to help guide us on our journey. For our New Year’s resolutions, we usually have several different categories that we use. Health is generally high on the list, as well as losing weight. You would think that those two categories would go hand-in-hand, but some diets are not healthy at all. We usually have a financial category involving saving money or spending less. And, maybe some of your resolutions might be to stop wearing yoga or sweatpants every day. If that is your resolution, then you have found the right place.
Many of you might be like me, and you want to put Faith as a category this year. I want to grow closer to the Lord, but I am honestly lazy. I want someone to talk to me about the Lord, I want them to have done all of the research, and I want to be on the receiving end of their hard work. As you can see, I need a lot of help in this category.
I think that my word this year is going to be “content.” It doesn’t sound glamorous or flashy; in fact, it seems pretty lackluster. You would think that being content is super easy, and goes right along with my earlier “lazy” attitude. But, honestly, this is going to be a word that is going to be much harder for me than you might think.
The noun content means to be in a state of satisfaction. That is great when things are going your way, and everything is hunky-dory. Being content means that we take the word “complain” and put it on the shelf. Don’t feel bad for the word “complain” because it is going to have a lot of company. It will be right beside “envy,” “jealousy,” “worry,” “strive,” “disappointed,” and “frustrated.
Hebrews 13:5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Paul says, “11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” in Phillippians 4:11-12. He knew what it was to have prosperity and also to live humbly. As a child of God, if we do not accept what comes our way in life, then we are telling the Lord that HIS way is wrong.
Luke 12:15
15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
I don’t think that there is anything wrong with trying to better your situation. The Lord gave us brains and equipped us with knowledge, so it would be a pity not to use what the Lord gave us. But, we need to examine what motivates us and make sure that it is not from a place of envy and greed.
Yes, I am going to be making a few New Year resolutions regarding diet and weight. My motives are not to compete with someone else, but instead, I want to take care of the body that the Lord was gracious enough to give me.
As humans, we are a hard bunch to satisfy. The words MORE and WANT are part of our makeup. Our condition might not be what we want at this time, but we don’t know what is to come. So, this coming year, why don’t you join me with trying to remember that our God is enough! His love is enough!
Have A Blessed Day!
This is so interesting. I have trouble memorizing scripture. Do you have a link I could go to, to learn more?
What a thoughtful and right on point post for the new year. I expect a lot of us were nodding in agreement. Every year I have 3 things I want to get done in the coming year. Organize my closet, lose 10 lbs and exercise more. The first two I usually get done for a while anyway, the exercise falls by the wayside first. This year I am with you. That spiritual part of my life has got to come first. I it should be priority, I’m going to try harder to put God first. Thank you, Tania. You continue to be a blessing.
Thank you for this great post. “More” and “want” are part of our design, and we should use them to focus on wanting more time with God, wanting more of Christ, yet how easily we use them for our human desires. I love your word “content.” I have not chosen a word yet, but now have another one to consider. Again thank you.
One thing that I want to do daily in the coming year is Scripture Typer. I have learned about this and have been doing it already this year and am amazed at how much easier and fun it is to learn scripture this way. The best thing has been that as I am learning to memorize a verse, the Lord really does speak to me through it and I get a blessing as I do it. When I hear of an especially good verse somewhere I add it to the verses I want to memorize. Psalm 119:11 Thy word have i hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee. I have finally found a way to place his word in me and remember it.
That was one of the many things I admired about my sweet Mom – she was CONTENT. I’ve been struggling with what my resolution should be this year. There are so many things to choose from….LOL! “Content” incorporates several of my personal goals. Being content helps with diet and budget, as well as just a general state of mind. Thanks for another insightful, thought provoking post. Happy New Year Tania!
Content. Says it all!
My word this year is TODAY. I want to live one day at a time.. with Trust in God for his guidance, wisdom, joy for living abundantly each day. I desire to be present in that day not worrying about the future and be my best, healthy self that day. Then get up and do it again the next day.
My word for 2020 is healthy. Resolutions include less impulse shopping being more mindful in my purchases. Resume working out every day. Less Facebook more reading. Learn to knit.