I love New Years… it makes me feel like I have a new slate and a chance to start over and kick some bad habits. I didn’t make any on New Year’s Eve, but this week I have spent some time looking around with fresh eyes and the things I needed to change became super obvious.

1. I need to make decisions about what I do today based on how it will effect my tomorrow, and my family’s tomorrow, rather than how it will make me feel today. Tomorrow’s consequences will last longer than today’s instant gratification. My family’s wellbeing is more important than my aversion to whatever chore I’m avoiding at the moment.

She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
(Proverbs 31:27 ESV)

2. I need to make worship, prayer & bible study the first priority in my life. This means, I need to make sure that my sleep, entertainment and work schedule are such that I am able to set aside quiet time for Jesus.

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
(Luke 9:23 ESV)

3. I need to make the distinction between what I want and what I need. This is my greatest barrier to financial freedom. This is also my greatest barrier to health. I need to be content with what I have, right now. I need to recognize when something that I want is not in my best interest (like that candy bar, for example).

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:12-13 ESV)

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
(Hebrews 13:5 ESV)

4. I need to be uncomfortable with who I am, right now, so that I will continue to rely on Jesus to become who I will be, in Him.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
(Philippians 3:20-21 ESV)