by Christa Upton
I hate New Year’s Resolutions. I hate thinking about them, trying to make them, trying to keep them…. So why in the world would I blog about them? 🙂
Well, I realized that I’m probably not alone in why I hate New Year’s Resolutions—they’re too hard to keep and they might remind me of last year’s resolutions I didn’t keep.
Guess what—God’s grace is an answer to both problems.
I’ll start with the latter problem—being reminded of other resolutions I haven’t kept. A relative and I recently had the most wonderful conversation about confession and absolution. She said, “Confession makes one feel cleansed, humbled, free!” I agree completely!!
The price that Jesus Christ paid for our sins by dying on the cross is total and complete, so God can offer us forgiveness when we come to Him. There is incredible freedom in that!!!!
We don’t need to suffer guilt over our past failures because Jesus’ death has paid for our bad choices, mistakes, and failures. We confess, turn from our sin, and make restitution if need be. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
Now I will address the former problem—resolutions being too hard to keep. Especially when our kids struggle over and over with a particular sin or character flaw, we often remind them to ask God to help them. Adults can (and should) ask God for help, too!
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16
If there is something we need to accomplish (whether we call it a “New Year’s Resolution” or not), we can ask God for the strength, ability, determination, etc. to do it!
When we remember these truths of forgiveness, grace, and help through God, we can give up the burdens of false guilt and dread.
Sometimes we can’t do anything about our burdens of suffering, but ANYONE can give up the unnecessary burdens of false guilt and dread and receive instead God’s forgiveness and help!!
Christa Upton Black Hills Picture Books PO Box 293 Custer, SD 57730
