It’s that time of year again! The start of a brand new global trip around the sun, marked with goodbyes to the struggles of the yesteryear while we make plans and goals for the next. Have you decided on your New Year’s resolutions yet? If not, your Life 90.5 is ready to help with a list of achievable secular and sacred goals to guide your 2023.
DISCONNECT FROM YOUR PHONE
Have you noticed lately how much time you’re spending on your smartphone? Whether it’s games, streaming movies or TV shows, or endless scrolling through social media, we’re spending way too much time staring at our tiny devices. But how can we actually disconnect? Simply by choosing to set down the device and do something else. How about having a game night with your family once a week? Or going out for coffee with a friend? Maybe venturing out for a walk with your neighbor? You could exchange digital interactions with in-person connections, thereby reducing screen time while increasing your investment in important relationships.
TACKLE YOUR FINANCES
Is your credit card balance a little higher than normal right now? Well, you’re not alone. Inflation and the recent holidays have meant increased spending all over America. But if one your New Year’s resolutions is to get your finances under control, our friend Dave Ramsey has plenty of simple tips to save money, including:
- Cut out the unnecessary items when grocery shopping
- Cancel unused subscription services
- Bring your lunch to work and eat dinners at home
For a deeper dive into making wise money choices and getting debt-free, consider enrolling in Ramsey’s Financial Peace University or getting a copy of The Total Money Makeover book.
FOCUS ON IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH
Yes, we know, everyone seems to make big health goals every January. And more often than not, those New Year’s resolutions are broken long before February. However, maybe the problem is our health goals are too big and too broad. Maybe you don’t need to aim for an hour at the gym every single day as you’re not really sure what you’re doing. Instead, consider aiming for smaller, easily achieved health goals and working up to larger ones. Here are a few small goals Mandy is focusing on as she starts this new year:
- Drink more water throughout the day
- Say “no” to junk food
- Go for a 30 minute walk after work
BE MORE JOYFUL
Do you find yourself complaining often? Certainly circumstances over the last couple of years can make anyone want to complain. But if you’re hoping this year to have a more positive outlook, God’s word supports all the joyful New Year’s resolutions.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13
We can choose joy in 2023 by focusing on our blessings instead of the challenges this year brings. God is good, faithful, trustworthy, and still our Savior even if this next year proves to be a difficult one.
READ YOUR BIBLE MORE
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
What a gift we have in the word of God! Many believers already know the importance of spending regular time in the Scriptures. However, if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to dig into your Bible more, there are some incredible resources to help you:
- Writer Alisha Illian has a 2-year reading plan that takes you through the Bible in chronological order
- The YouVersion Bible App has countless reading plans that explores a wide variety of topics
- Enable notifications on your Carolina Christian Radio App to get our verse of the day on your phone every morning
What’s your New Year’s resolution? Tell us in the comments!
