The new year is less than a week away. Now is the best time to begin writing out your resolutions. If you’re looking for ideas on how to make 2018 your best year yet, Faith Church of Sherman has some resolutions that will strengthen your faith and renew your connection to God.

Pray More

Although we try desperately to be strong, we still find our hearts gripped tightly by fear. This fear can be caused by unexpected changes, bad news, sudden loss, and self-doubt. While these fears are normal human emotions, they can cause us to act out in manners that are unbecoming to our Christian nature such as irritability, impulsive decisions, rudeness, seclusion, harsh language, or emotional outbursts.

Should you find yourself entering this new year feeling a fear gripping your heart, pray. God is the gentle hand that will help to soothe your fears and will comfort your doubts. Even if you’re not feeling fear and apprehension going into 2018, pray anyway. Keep an open line of communication between you and the Lord for He is the way to all wonderful things.

Embrace Fellowship

Life can cause us to become incredibly busy with its numerous responsibilities, emergencies, and obligations. To ensure that your mind and emotions aren’t weighed down by the worries and chores of the world, make time to spend with friends and family. This can occur in your home, at a local park, or even in a local church like the Faith Church of Sherman. Wherever you decide to enjoy your fellowship, always remember that God is with you no matter the venue.

Practice Gratitude

It is an inevitability that we will all be caught up in the daily struggle of paying bills, working, doing chores, and caring for our family. This daily struggle can cause us to look away from the blessings we currently possess to instead focus on the things we lack. We often associate the things we lack with a missing sense of happiness, purpose, or fulfillment. Do not waste your precious life wishing for things you don’t have while taking for granted the things you DO have. Every day is a precious gift from God, so you must learn how to practice gratitude in all things. When you focus on being thankful for what you have, you will have more than you realize.

Invest In Experiences, Not Possessions

Commercials and advertising have us believing that their new miracle item will give us the happiness that we’re missing or the beauty that we desire. While having fancy gadgets and beautiful works of art can be pleasing to the eyes and offer convenience to our lives, they can’t provide us with the happiness we seek. If you speak to elders in your community, you will find that their most cherished memories come not from cute shoes but from time spent exploring new places or adventures through the wilderness. You won’t be able to take your possessions with you when it’s time for you to return to heaven. Only your memories and experiences will serve you well in Eternity.