By Katie Bennett, Contributing Writer

Surrounding the new year, I noticed some bloggers publishing posts to the effect of, “Don’t bother making New Year’s Resolutions; you won’t keep them anyway. Just look at these depressing statistics and give up before you start.”

I have to say, I found it discouraging.

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much this does not have to be the reality for Christ-followers.

You see, we have power in us to make changes that the world can’t understand. It’s the Holy Spirit, and He opens endless possibilities for real and lasting transformation in our lives.

Why You Should Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Maybe you started out with the best of intentions to make a change, but by February you’re losing steam and motivation.

You’re entertaining the idea of just giving it up.

Before you do so, remember,

God wants us to be self-controlled.

He wants us to take responsibility for becoming more like Him.

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7

That means discipline, diligence, and hard changes at times. That means relying on His power.

“Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

So, if you made a New Years Resolution this year that is in line with God’s will for your life, let me encourage you to keep at it! Even if you’ve missed days or weeks already, renew your commitment and ask God to empower you.

What’s more, if you didn’t make a resolution and want to, there’s still time! Nothing is magical about the New Year. Resolve to make a change today if God is calling you to do so.

Here are three practical ways to make your New Year’s Resolutions a reality:

How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

1. Accountability

If you haven’t already, share your goal with someone and invite them to hold you accountable. It’s a powerful thing!

I recently realized I was staying up too late at night watching TV with my husband, which was hindering my productivity. I knew I wanted to be in bed by 10, but I was failing to exhibit the self-control to pull myself away and was spending the whole next day frustrated with my decision.

Finally I shared this goal with my husband and asked him to hold me accountable.

And you know what? Ever since that conversation I’ve met my goal every night (mostly thanks to his gentle nudges).

Sometimes, accountability makes all the difference.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17

I’m also part of a weekly accountability group, which I find hugely helpful. Read more about that here: Intentional Friendships: Why, When & How to Start an Accountability Group.

2. Reminders

Some of us have great intentions, and we’re motivated, but nonetheless, we’re still forgetful or easily distracted. 

Perhaps your resolution is to read with your child more, or clean more, or read the Bible more.

All of these types of resolutions can benefit from simple, friendly reminders. Do you need to set a daily alarm? Do it! Or send an email to your future self? Try Futureme.com.

Maybe you need to post a message-to-yourself in a key location, such as by the refrigerator if you’re focus is healthy eating, or on your phone’s lock-screen if your goal is to spend less time on your phone. It works.

3. Focus on forming habits

Convincing yourself to do “something” for the rest of time can seem pretty daunting. However, setting your sites on developing a certain habit can take you equally as far and feel much more short-term and doable.

For example, I used to not make my bed in the morning. I would resolve to start doing so as the motivation grabbed me, but would inevitable fall of the cart at some point.

Eventually I changed my focus to developing a habit of making my bed, (using many of the tips I discuss on my blog in this post: 21 Days to Developing the Most Life-Changing Habit Ever: Daily Time with God), and now I do it every day with ease and have for over a year!

Habits are wonderful things. They are powerful life changers.

As said by Aristotle,

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Did you make a new year’s resolution? If so, what was it and how are you doing?