See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19
Are you feeling like a fresh start is in order? If you’re like most people, a new year, a birthday or a significant life event will spark the inspiration to make changes. This spark has been studied and labeled The Fresh Start Effect. Research shows that “temporal landmarks can motivate aspirational behavior.” So, it’s a great idea to use your inspirational moment to set new goals.
The trouble is most people only follow through with their desired changes for about two weeks. Then, it’s back to the old ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.
The fact is: how we deal with the details of our lives – our money, our health, our relationships, and even our faith – has been programmed by the established patterns we’ve instilled around them. That’s why it seems that no matter how hard we try, we always seem to gravitate back to our old habits, old thoughts, and old emotions.
God understands this tendency within us. He created us. In the Bible, He encourages us in positive patterns of behavior when He says to “meditate on God’s Word day and night” (Joshua 1:8) and “pray consistently” (Luke 18:1). Likewise, He warns us about the destruction that comes from the “practice of sinning” (1 John 3:9) or being “conformed to the pattern of the world” (Romans 12:2).
Understanding our nature, two things are needed. First, your inspirational moment has to be viewed and used differently. Second, your fresh start needs to be attached to something greater, more foundational, and inherently important to your life.
If now is the time to start fresh in a specific area, you must view the motivation you feel from the Fresh Start Effect as an opportunity to establish a new pattern. It’s not meant to carry you through your transformation. If you want to make it past the two-week average, you cannot count on always feeling the same inspiration that you feel today. Will-power is fleeting. Instead, channel your motivational energy into developing a new routine that points you toward your goal.
Even with the best, most consistent routine, the changes you’re making won’t feel natural, even if they’re good. Breaking an old pattern is difficult. Attaching your God-honoring goals to the power of the Holy Spirit and His will for your life is how long-lasting transformation happens according to the Bible. Colossians 1:29 says, “For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.” Your effort gets amplified by God’s power!
God is so good! He sees your desire to grow, change, and make a fresh start. Yet, He doesn’t leave you alone in it. He knows the gravitational pull of old, comfortable patterns that keep you stuck. So, He works His power within you to give you what you need to keep going after your will-power fades. And, through the uncomfortable transition from your old way to your new way, He is faithful to continue the process of conforming you to the image of His Son.
Questions to ponder or journal:
- Where do you want to make a fresh start? If you have multiple areas, choose one to focus on.
- What needs to change most? Your thoughts, your feelings or your behaviors? Chances are it’s all three, as thoughts trigger emotions which create reactions. Gather some Scripture verses to feed your mind properly about the fresh start your making.
- What new routine can you commit to daily (keep it small until you build momentum) that will set you in the direction of your goal?