Should kids make New Year’s resolutions?
"Commit your life to the LORD. Here is what he will do if you trust in him. He will make the reward for your godly life shine like the dawn. He will make the proof of your honest life shine like the sun at noon" (Psalm 37:5-6).
"If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone and doesn’t find fault" (James 1:5).
People started making New Year’s resolutions over 3,000 years ago in ancient Babylon. Maybe even back then, people used the new year to make a fresh start.There isn’t anything magical about January 1 of each year, but each year kids and adults say it’s a good time to make new goals. What kind of New Year’s resolutions do kids make? Kids can make similar goals as grown-ups, maybe to exercise more or eat healthier.
Many Christians have goals to pray more, read the Bible every day, and attend church more often. These are great goals, but just making a resolution or a goal doesn't change us. New Year's resolutions commonly fail. More than just desire to change ourselves and say we will, we need to ask God to guide our goals and to help us achieve them.
Ask yourself, why are you making New Year’s resolution? What is the purpose? For example, why do you want to pray more? If you want to rely on God more and think about Him more, that is a good reason. If you want to get something from God, that is a bad reason.
•Pray and ask God for wisdom on whether he wants you to have a New Year’s resolution.
•Pray for wisdom on how to fulfill your goals.
•Rely on God’s strength.
•Find someone to help you and encourage you.
•Don’t become discouraged.
•Give God the glory.
