Prayerfully reassess your life and see if you reached the goals set for the previous year. Looking back helps you be more self-aware to avoid making the same mistakes; it also helps you learn what habits promote success.

Reflect with the purpose to learn. This helps you to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Science Tip: Reflection is great for the brain, especially the prefrontal cortex. It aids in developing the ability to think and strengthens your ability to choose a fresh direction rather than repeat the same old mistakes. 

Did you know that resolutions never work because they rely on legalism? Most resolutions fail – which can make you feel like a failure. That false identity leaves you with nagging guilt that steals your hope. Instead, set attainable goals that give you structure.

My friend, your moments are precious.

Ask the Lord to help you set goals you can attain that will enrich your life. At the end of the year, you will be able to see how He blessed your intentional use of time.

Science Tip: Reaching a goal is rewarding! It releases dopamine, which brings an overall feeling of satisfaction and pleasure. This in turn reinforces healthy lifestyle habits.

Starting the New Year with a new Bible is a special delight for me. When I don’t have a new Bible, I simply take a different translation off the shelf to read that year.

Use the method that works for you.

Ask the Lord to help you be intentional in daily reading His Word.

Reading the Bible is a discipline where you engage with the Lord to lay the foundation of your life in His truth.

Pro Tip: If you miss a day, just start again from where you left off! Each day is a fresh opportunity to spend time in the Word.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” Psalms 119:105 (NLT).

What character quality would you like to see the Lord develop in your life? If you aren’t sure, you can ask yourself, “What do I struggle with the most?” Often that gives you a clue of where you need to grow.

Look up the Biblical definition of the word you choose.

Strong’s Concordance is a helpful tool to learn: Where is the word used? How does it apply to you? Jot down important verses to meditate on.

Pro Tip: Gaining a better understanding of the word and the context it is used in will help you know how to pray for the Lord to develop that quality in your life.

Once you choose a character quality this helps gives you direction to find a Bible verse to walk with for the year.

How do I choose a Bible verse for the year?

You can choose a Bible verse for the year by searching for a verse that talks about your chosen character quality.

For example, if you chose faith as the character quality, your verse might be, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Or it might be, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans1:17).

Clinging to a verse relating to the character quality gives direction, clarity, and strengthens God’s words in your heart.

Each year I choose a name of the Lord to walk with.

You see, names are important; they impact the depth of your relationship with God. If you know Him as the Good Shepherd, the shepherding area of your life will be strengthened and blessed.

But what if you only know Jesus as the Good Shepherd? Sadly, your relationship with Him will be limited, because He is so much more.

Growing in intimacy with Jesus takes intentionality!

The name I choose reflects where I hurt or need to experience growth. It might be a name that intrigues me. One year, going through deep pain, I needed a true gentleman in my life. That was the year I began to understand the importance of names.

Though not found in Scripture, a gentleman demonstrates the character quality of gentleness. Over the course of the year, the Lord showed me His gentleness. He is the Gentleman of all gentlemen!

Pro Tip: Choose one of His names listed in Scripture, which relates to the character quality you want to develop. You can research the name in Scripture and in Strong’s.  If you chose faith as your character quality, you might choose the Lord’s name, Faithful and True.

Each year, you will encounter a fresh dimension of the Lord you never previously experienced.

If you don’t have one yet, begin a thanksgiving journal. Write in your journal each day or in the evening before you go to bed.

This is a simple discipline that counters depression. Giving thanks quiets the racing mind and it calms and comforts the heart.

It releases a DOSE of God’s medicine:

Dopamine

Oxytocin

Serotonin

Endorphins

Pro Tip: Giving thanks is the best way to victory in Jesus, for the enemy of our soul hates it when we give thanks!

If you long for peace, be intentional in daily setting aside time to give thanks to the Lord. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).