Why My New Year’s Resolutions Fall Short—And How 2026 Could Be Your Best Year Yet.

For me, and I am thinking like most of you, you get up the day after Christmas, and your mind is already looking toward the new year. It is only natural that the New Year starts just after Christmas. After all, the birth of Jesus marked a new covenant—literally a new beginning, a fresh start, a new freedom from sin and the obstacles that hold us back.

I think God orchestrated the “New Year” to mark a new beginning, a muligan, if you will, to start being the best version of the person we always wanted to be. The reason I believe that is because in the Bible God talks so much about a fresh start, a clean slate, canceling our debts, and making us a new creation.

Yet, for many people, New Year’s can be pretty stressful. You know what I mean—the pressure of setting New Year’s resolutions. You might be tempted to say, “I don’t make New Year’s resolutions!” However, even if you say that, there may still be a nagging feeling: Am I just being lazy? I know I should strive to improve myself. Then there are the ghosts of New Year’s past, whispering; making a resolution is pointless because I’ll likely give up in just a few weeks, leaving me feeling even worse about the changes I need to make in my life.

Just for clarity, the root word of resolution is resolute, meaning “firm decision”. You know why “I” don’t do New Year’s resolutions? Year after year, I would make New Year’s Resolutions to eat better, exercise more, be a better husband, be a better father, or be more frugal with my money... but like most folks, within 4 to 6 weeks (and research backs it up), my resolutions would begin to fade away and be forgotten until the following year. The following year, “I” would try “again”. You do know the definition of insanity!

Don’t get me wrong, the idea of new beginnings- doing different things, setting goals that will make me a better person, in the upcoming year, still excites me. In fact, this year I think I will finally achieve some of my most audacious goals.

So what has changed? I...

Stop making broad resolutions that fail, and start making specific commitments to God that will achieve them.

Several years ago, after reading Proverbs 16:1-3, which says, “We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer... Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed, I stopped making “my” New Year’s resolutions and started making New Year commitments. And it worked!

It may sound like splitting hairs, but there is a big difference. “I” no longer make “my” plans for the New Year; I make commitments to taking action steps toward the plans God has had for my life from the very beginning.

For example, if your goal is to lose weight in 2026, we all know it will start with eating healthier. God has a lot to say about our eating habits. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, God tells us that our bodies are the “temple of the Holy Spirit,” implying a responsibility to care for our physical health, including eating habits. Philippians 3:19 states that gluttony can be a form of idolatry. Deuteronomy 21:20 tells us that eating too much is a lack of discipline.

If you are a Christian, you want to honor God with your whole being, including your body. You certainly want to have any idols that you worship besides Him, such as food. You want Jesus to control your life, not a piece of chocolate cake or a Big Mac.

Your commitment might sound like this: God, I want you to control my life, not the food I eat. I know I am overweight, but I can’t lose this weight on my own. So I am asking in the name of Jesus, through the power of your Holy Spirit, for You to empower me to the right foods and exercise so that my body will be a testimony to you. Lord, I am committing to a low-carb (100 grams), high-protein (weight × 2 = grams) diet and 30 minutes of moderate exercise (walking AND strength-building) every day.

What this does not sound like, “I” am making a resolution to lose 30 pounds in 90 days.

As my grandson tells me all the time, “I got this, Papaw.” You got this! You can do all things through Him that strengthens you.

Why wait until New Year’s Day? You can start savoring the Last Best Bite of Life today.