Affirmations not Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions are interesting, and sometimes silly. Most of us make them with the intent of changing something about ourselves that we wish was different. We resolve to go to the gym each day, or to start that new diet that we just know will work better than the others. We resolve to stop smoking, or to take better care of ourselves, or a myriad of other resolutions that statistically will not survive the month.

Let’s do something different this year. Instead of a resolution, let’s make affirmations. Each day, let’s affirm whatever it is that we are trying to change. That way our mindset is on the positive as we see ourselves in a different light. The same applies to our Christian walk. Let each day start with a positive affirmation about who we are in Christ. 

Affirm that we are chosen by God to be holy in His sight. Remember that scripture tells us. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Affirm that we will live today by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As Paul declares,  “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (Galatians 5:16-18)

Affirm that the Holy Spirit is changing us from who we were yesterday into who Jesus wants us to be today. Paul reminds us that “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

Declare that:

I am a disciple of Jesus, I declare the past closed. 

I am the light of the world because the light of Jesus shines through me. 

I am guided each day by the Holy Spirit. 

I am filled with God’s grace and His mercy is fresh and new every day. 

I am loved and forgiven by the Creator of the Universe.

I am not alone in this life, Jesus walks beside me each day.

I am…. (fill in the blank).

Let us start each day with positive affirmations about who we are in Christ and who we are becoming through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let our thoughts align with the mind of God so that our todays are better than our yesterdays.

Pray for God’s blessings to fill our lives throughout this new year.

Pray for His wisdom to guide our choices and His ways to fill our thoughts.

Pray also for our precious church. Pray that God’s will unfolds each day in the life of Thrive.

Pray that God’s blessings and guidance will be upon our pastors and our church leaders.

Pray that God will use Thrive in a mighty way this year to touch the lives of many thousands as we proclaim the truth about Jesus.

New beginnings are always exciting. Realizing that there are so many wonderful possibilities awaiting us can be exhilarating. As we wonder about the miracles that await us, the lessons that we will learn and the growth that we will achieve, let us acknowledge that we will travel this journey, not alone, but side by side with our Lord and our Savior Jesus.