The traditions of “New Year’s Resolutions” can be a good thing. It encourages one to inspect his/her life (II Cor. 13:5), and it stimulates one to improve in one or some areas of behavior (Matt. 5:16). However, there is a haunting problem related to resolutions. That problem was surprisingly stated by the scientist, Harry Rimmer, when he was giving a biblical lecture many years ago in Abilene, Texas. A baby in the balcony had an extended crying spell as Rimmer spoke. He suddenly broke off from his lecture to state: “Do you know how babies are like New Year’s Resolutions?” He immediately answered his questions with the words: “They ought to be carried out but seldom are!” There is the problem related to New Year’s Resolutions -They are good and should be carried out- but seldom are!

It is not easy to break bad habits; change one’s conduct; overcome some addiction; really take a step forward in improved behavior! Yet, it was God’s plan (and Peter’s charge) for us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:18).

Could our problem be that we have tended to tie our resolutions to the word “Year”? A well known cliché’ states: Yard by yard, it is too hard; inch by inch, it is a cinch! Alcoholics Anonymous have successfully wooed people away from drunken behavior by the slogan, “One day at a time!” Would our resolutions—steps of improvement, change, growth—work better if we regulated the intent away from the word “Year”? Consider some of the following areas of improvement, but just for one month:

1.Resolve not to miss a single church service or Bible Study Class for just one month!

2.Resolve to alter-improve-your prayer life for just one month (add phrases; mention different people; draw closer and be more expressive to God).

3.Resolve to bring one visitor with you to services in a given month.

4.Resolve to read your Bible every day just for one month!

Maybe you should plan some resolutions for just one week!

1.Resolve to sincerely compliment someone each day for one week!

2.Resolve to intentionally do something good for someone during a given week.

3.Resolve to spend 30 minutes of meditation and preparation for a worship service some time during a week.

If you are dealing with the challenge of addiction—drugs; alcohol; smoking; sexual—the rule of dealing with it “one day at a time” is still best. If we followed one or more of these time tables for a brief time, what do you think that might do for our lifestyles?

While several suggestions have been given, you likely will want to select just one that is most needed in your life. Be sure to seek God’s grace to help you. As the Lord taught Paul, God’s grace and power are “made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9f). Knowing it is good to grow, overcome a weakness, stop a bad habit, regulate your resolution by one of these suggested time patterns. Rest assured that it will bring happiness to your heart as you grow, change, develop before God and man! May You be found really carrying out Your resolution!