New Years Revolutions, anyone?  I don't know about you, but resolutions just don't seem to work for me!

There are (at least) two ways of approaching change. One is, resolve to ... rebel.   Find something undesirable and "rebel" against it.  Commit your energy to fighting it.  Focus on IT until you get IT under control!

Then there is the Revolution.  The Revolution begins when the rebellion wanes and runs out of steam.  You could say that the rebellion prepares you for the Revolution, but sometimes you just need time to reboot and renew.  Then, begin again with new resolve.

Find the right motives.  Are your reasons for doing something emotional?  Emotions change.  Find solid motives, backed by core values and convictions.  This usually leads me to my Creator and His manual, the Bible.

To understand the word Revolution, we go to it's base: to Revolve.  Like the earth revolves around the sun, our focus should be on our Creator, not the behavior itself.  Focusing on the behavior alone tends to discourage us.  We bemoan the fact that we can't do something we want to do.  Then we feel guilty and punish ourselves when we do it anyway.... loosing confidence, all the while.  We need to forgive ourselves and move on.

Put your eyes on God.  He knows you better than you know yourself.  He knows you have failed, but His way is NOT to condemn.  We condemn ourselves and others but HE DOES NOT.  How did He handle, handling our failures?  He sent His Son Jesus down to earth.  He took on human flesh and the sin which controls us and sacrificed His own life for ours.  He took our failures upon Himself.  That's how he handled it.  That sounds like love to me.  How about you?

So, listen for that still, small voice.  Shut out the angry, condemning sounds.  Hear God say:

 
Romans 8:1   "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"

Philippians 4:13    "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Psalm 139:14    "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

You say these things too.  He wants you to agree with Him .... above all others.  So, begin this new year right.  Focus on your Trainer and your Life Coach, God.   He knows you better, yet has more faith in you, than you have in yourself.   Don't be disagreeable.  Just agree with Him and say what He says.  Then move forward and help others along the way!