Image credit: By Luis Quiintero (2019), Pexels.com, CC0/PD[/caption]
Lent has only just begun and we may already be struggling to stick to our Lenten resolutions. The goal of making it to Easter still seems too far away -- which doesn’t help our will power.
Did you make resolutions that are for your own health and well-being, or are they to better glorify God? It is possible that a goal could serve both purposes, such as waking up 10 minutes earlier than usual to spend it in prayer is glorifying God and helping you be more diligent about getting out of bed on time.
However; some resolutions are strictly for our own edification, which may make it more difficult to stick to them for forty days. Without God’s help, any change in habit is extremely challenging to undertake. Breaking bad habits or starting new good ones require a lot of resolve, especially if they have been part of our lives for many years.
Lent provides many opportunities for temptations, and Satan loves to hit us where we are weak. Knowing our own personalities and flaws helps us anticipate where we may falter. We need to give ourselves a little slack, knowing we won’t be perfect all forty days. But with each time we overcome a temptation or accomplish a new habit it gives us greater boldness to continue on. These difficulties show us where we need to grow to become better Christians. Hopefully any changes will then become permanent long after we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.
Jesus calls us to be persistent, just like the widow who kept persevering in her requests to the city judge. God “bears long with them” who are persistent in their efforts to do good and seek His help (Luke 18:1-8). He will reward your efforts to stick to your Resolutions and keep trying.
So whether your resolutions are physical (lose 5 pounds), mental (finish a book you’ve been meaning to read), social (join that church committee you’ve been considering), emotional (try to compliment a different person each day), financial (tithe an extra $10 each week), or spiritual (attend Adoration weekly), stick with them and seek God’s strength, knowing it will not only make you a better person by Easter but also glorify Him!
Copyright 2020 Colleen Mallette
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