By Alexis Patterson

In previous years, I found myself making plans for the new year to come. Goals I wanted to achieve, places I wanted to go, and new ways I wanted to eat or exercise. My resolutions became a declaration for my year and my new life going forward. As resolutions often are, my plans were firmly planted in my mind and in my heart of what will be. I was confident, motivated, and hopeful that this would be the year things would change. Then year after year, life happened. Life began to get in the way of my plans. Sometimes things completely out of my control would derail my efforts, and other times my own discipline would wane and I would get in the way of my plans. Discouraged by how easily I could get off track, I began to wonder if this struggle was unique to me. So I researched the percentage of people who give up on their New Year’s resolutions. What I found was eye-opening. According to Baylor College of Medicine, a striking 88 to 90 percent of people quit their New Year’s resolutions within the first two weeks.

That statistic forced me to rethink how I start my new year and how I plan my goals. I deconstructed my original process by shifting my focus away from myself and toward Jesus, aligning with God on what He has for me. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.” I don’t know about you, but I needed that reminder. God is the one in complete control, and if I truly want to succeed, His will is what I need to seek.

So in more recent years, I have stopped making resolutions on my own. Instead, I get with God and ask Him to search me and reveal the areas in my life where He wants to take me to new levels. God taking me to new levels is my way of leaning into the development He desires for me. Leaning in requires intention. It means taking time to ask, seek, and knock: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). This is the perfect formula for prayer when seeking what God has for you. From that place, I began planning my resolutions, asking, seeking, and knocking. Praying this way allows us to lean in persistently while acknowledging that God is the giver, and we are the receivers of His will. God values persistence, and He will reveal exactly what we need when we seek Him for direction.

Remembering that the Lord’s decrees will prevail allows me to join God in His plans and walk along straight paths. Over the years, I’ve learned that winning in life means being completely dependent on God for direction. Winning with God starts with confidence in His goodness and trust that His ways are higher than mine. Whether it’s a new year or a new day, make God a priority in your planning. From my heart to yours, start your resolution by asking, seeking, and knocking. When He reveals, be obedient and trust Him. God is willing and able. Happy New Year.