Making A Fresh Start In 2025

Every year we hear about making “resolutions.” Things we intend to change in the coming year. Maybe exercise more, get married, find a new job, etc… Sure, it’s great to make changes like these, but what about all that extra heavy baggage that tries to follow us from the previous year, and would seek to choke out those new resolutions? If we couldn’t do them in 2024, then how are we just going to quickly make some significant change in 2025? It’s going to be hard. Those things that were holding you back before will likely continue to make it difficult for consistent and healthy change.

Surrendering Things to Christ

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Life can be rough. Yes, we can all change for the better, but we can’t do it alone. We need Jesus in the mix. We need to take all that extra baggage and surrender it completely to Him. That’s how we’re going to get that weight off our shoulders, and especially our heart. Let him remove those burdens from our life. Sometimes that means crying out on your knees. I’ve been there. Pray until the tears come out. It hurts for awhile, but then that stirring in your heart really makes a difference. You start to see yourself how God sees you, and it helps you unpack what it really weighing you down.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Just saying you want to change is great, but turning it ALL over to God is when it goes from being self-help to becoming a miracle from God. A perfect intervention that surpasses what any of us would be capable of on our own.

Defeating Misery with Fellowship

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Surrendering to God is a perfect way to start. We can get Him to do the heavy lifting, but we still need to push forward and live life. We need to do some work and maybe even get our hands a little dirty. We don’t need to do this alone though. Get into church, spend some time with friends, or whatever it takes to surround yourself with people who care, and are likely dealing with some of the same trials you are going through. Or maybe they’ve already been through them and can lend you some wisdom to help propel you forward. Maybe you can do the same thing for them. In Christ, we will always be stronger together.

Beware of Spiritual Predators

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Beware, we have an enemy who would seek to keep us from God’s plan for our lives. However, if we use God’s word, the enemy can be easily defeated. God’s word is authority. Satan has no argument against what God has already declared. So if we’re using His word consistently, we have a path to banish spiritual wickedness from our lives. We just need to be diligent.

This is also why fellowship is so important. If you’ve ever watched lions stalk prey, they look for those who are weak and alone. Why? Because it’s a much easier feast. The prey has less chance of escape and has a much harder time fighting back. Once caught, the prey may just completely surrender. The lion becomes stronger at the expense of the weak. This is why it’s important to “stay with the flock.”

Patience

Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Being patient is probably one of the hardest parts of any change. We want something now, but God needs us to take our time, rest up in Him, and move when He says it’s time to press forward. Sometimes the downtime is the most important part. It’s that time we’re setting aside to talk with God and figure out that next step. It’s rediscovering where we are at in our journey. It’s also a time to thank, praise, and give God the glory for our successes.

Giving 2025 to God

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I want to give you a challenge. Take all those New Year’s resolutions you’ve written down and surrender them entirely to Jesus. Not just today or tomorrow, but for the entire year. Give him 365 days in full surrender. Consistently take those things to Him in prayer and thankfulness, fellowship with other believers, and no matter what happens, do not give up throughout the entire year. Just trust God in it ALL. Leave every bit in it in His hands, and you can be certain the results will surpass what you had hoped. Thank you for reading and God bless.

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.