A new resolution

The Coopers were visiting the Smiths the day after new year when they heard loud and angry voices coming from the garden. The mothers – Mary Smith and Faye Cooper – rushed to see what their sons had been up to. They met Josh Smith and Ray Cooper staring at each other and looking very angry. Josh made a fist as if he wanted to hit Ray. As soon as he saw Mary, his mother, he dropped his hand and rushed to his bedroom.

“What’s going on here”?, Faye asked his son, Ray.

“We were sharing some jokes and he got angry when I narrated how some girls made fun of him at school”, Ray replied.

“That’s OK. I’ll like to check in with Josh”, Mary said and left the garden.

“I’ll come with you”, Faye offered. She squeezed his son’s shoulders and followed her friend. 

Mary and Faye met Josh covered in a blanket and chanting to himself. They listened quietly.

“I refuse to be angry. I will not fight back. I refuse to be angry. I will not fight back”, he chanted on and on.

Faye gave her friend a questioning look.

“You see, Josh has some anger issues and just yesterday, we had a long talk about dealing with it this year. I guess that’s his way of dealing with it. I think he really handled that situation with Ray well, don’t you think”?, Mary replied.

Faye smiled and nodded at her friend.

Personal resolutions are often made at the beginning of a new year – to eat healthy, exercise, spend more time with family, take a course, get a better job etc. Sadly, we do not follow through on these personal goals as they quickly become mere wishes.

The quest for personal transformation is a good one but we might need to reflect on how best we can attain it. The Bible encourages us to “… seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

There is need to recognise and give God His rightful place in our lives, knowing that He guides us into the best outcomes for our lives. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

With our limited human understanding, it would be wise to also seek to know the will of God before taking decisions, making commitments, or changing directions. If we ask, He will answer us. So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:6). “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

There will be challenges – that’s for sure. But the grace of God is able to carry us through. “…in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1).

Have a blessed year!