I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own.
We are not able to plan our own course.
Jeremiah 10:23 (New Living Translation)

With the beginning of a New Year, a new decade; many have been making “New Year’s resolutions” in which they resolve to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve their life. Yet history has shown that approximately 80% of those resolutions will fail by the second week of February.

You might be wondering why the failure rate is so high, there are at least three reasons (the first two are also the reason many falter in their spiritual walk):
1) Lack of endurance. The person(s) are not willing to continue, carry on, or persevere when hardships, difficulties, or suffering arise (Mat 13:20-21). Like many before them, they will choose the easier path (Mat 7:13-14), since they did not fully consider the cost of keeping the resolution (Luk 14:25-33).
2) Distraction. When other things arise, many will lose focus on what’s important (Col 3:1-4, Heb 12:1-3), being distracted by other things (Mat 13:22, 1 Jhn 1:15-17, 2 Tim 4:10).
3) Encountering unforeseen events. Often when plans are being made, the person(s) do not consult our Beloved LORD GOD (Psa 37:5, Pro 3:6, Pro 16:3). Instead they make plans based on their own knowledge (Pro 3:5, Pro 19:21), not aware of all the circumstances (Jos 9:1-27), or what the future holds (Luk 12:16-20, Jam 4:13-16).

Is it wrong to make New Year Resolutions? It is wrong to make any statement you:
• do not mean (Psa 12:2, Rom 16:18, Jud 1:16, Eph 4:25, Col 2:4, Col 3:9, 2 Pet 1:16, 2 Pet 2:3)
• do not intend to keep (Exd 8:8-15, Exd 8:28-32, Exd 9:22-35, Exd 10:14-20, Psa 78:36, Mat 21:28-32)
• swear to, whether it is a promise; an oath; or declaration (Ecc 5:4-6, Mat 5:33-37, Jam 5:12)

Over the last few months our Beloved LORD GOD has been revealing the weight HE places on words. Not just HIS (Psa 147:15, Isa 55:10-11, Jer 1:12) but ours (Mat 12:36-37, Eph 4:29, Col 4:6). And not just what we say, but how we say it (2 Tim 2:25, Jam 1:19-20, 1 Pet 3:15). Knowing this, should we not be mindful of what we say, and what we say we will do?

How can you make a resolution that will happen? By consulting with our Beloved LORD GOD through prayer (Pro 3:6, Pro 20:18↔1 Chr 14:13-17, Php 4:13, Jam 1:5-8), and then entrusting HIM to bring it to pass in HIS timing (Pro 16:3).

If there was only one resolution that one should make, what would it be? To purpose in your heart to remain true or faithful to our Beloved LORD JESUS CHRIST (Act 11:23, Dan 3:16-18, Act 20:22-24), seeking HIS strength through prayer (Neh 6:9, Psa 119:28, Act 4:27-31) and The WORD (Isa 41:10-13, Rom 8:31, Php 4:13).

But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’
Anything beyond these is of evil
Matthew 5:37