Three Unique New Year’s Resolutions for Christians
When Christians consider New Year’s resolutions, the usual thoughts might lean toward reading the Bible more, praying frequently, or increasing church attendance. Those goals are definitely commendable. However, let’s take a different route and explore three resolutions that often get overlooked.
As it turns out, our physical and spiritual well-being are deeply intertwined, and they significantly impact one another. It’s easy to disregard these aspects in our fast-paced world, possibly leading us to miss out on a more fulfilling life.
1. Embrace Attention Management
We often hear about managing time, but attention management is less frequently discussed. It’s astonishing how many hours are spent on phones—teens, for instance, average over nine hours daily, while adults clock in over four. With constant notifications from texts, emails, and social media, it’s crucial to focus on what genuinely matters.
These distractions often pull us into secular influences that may deviate from our faith. As theologian Jason Tucker points out, navigating our tech-heavy lives requires a thoughtful approach. We ought to scrutinize how technology shapes our lives and ensure we are grounded in scripture when doing so.
Protecting our hearts from unhelpful messages is vital, but it requires deliberate effort. As the Bible advises, we should “guard our hearts” (Proverbs 4:23) and critically assess our digital interactions, distinguishing the beneficial from the detrimental.
2. Prioritize Sleep
There’s a saying among pastors that sometimes, “the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.” We are not just spirits; we have physical bodies too. Unfortunately, the physical aspect is sometimes belittled, leading to a skewed Gnostic perspective that sees material needs as inferior. This notion stands contrary to Biblical teachings declaring that our bodies are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
John W. Kleinig emphasizes the importance of our physical selves in his book, highlighting that our bodies play a key role in how we engage with the world and establish our relationship with God.
Remember, our bodies are considered temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The current recommendation for adults is to get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Insufficient sleep can lead to serious health issues and diminish mental clarity.
Exposure to blue light from devices is an issue too, making it tougher to fall into restorative sleep. Hence, reducing screen time—especially before bed—could greatly enhance our overall well-being. Achieving adequate sleep translates to better energy levels, heightened optimism, and a greater capacity to express the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
3. Cultivate Friendships
Even before the pandemic, many Americans reported feeling lonely. A staggering 58% expressed concerns that no one around them truly understood them. In a society that often champions individualism, forming genuine connections can sometimes feel secondary. However, God created us to thrive in community, especially among fellow believers. The author of Hebrews encourages not to forsake gathering together (Hebrews 10:25) and to engage in meaningful fellowship (Acts 2:42).
While we’ve discussed the physical impacts of social connections, it’s essential to note that chronic loneliness poses health risks even greater than smoking 15 cigarettes daily! Author Justin Early succinctly notes that “friendship determines your life.” We can’t overlook the wisdom in Genesis where it states, “It is not good for a man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).
Quality matters too when it comes to friendships. It’s not uncommon to see groups of people together yet glued to their phones, missing out on real interaction. Pastor Jay Kim observes that lonely individuals often fall into the trap of digital connection that ultimately isolates them.
In light of this, I encourage you to adopt a resolution this year to manage your attention better, prioritize sleep, and actively seek closer relationships. It requires effort, and there might be challenging moments, but the rewards of deeper connections are undeniably worthwhile. As George Whitefield famously stated, “A man is not all he is; his friends are the rest of him.”
