As a new year dawns, many people may be struck by fear because they feel stuck in failure. They look to their resolutions rather than receiving in a New Year. The uncertainties echo in the recesses of the mind and might sound like this:

• I am afraid this is going to be another typical year
• I am afraid I won’t ever change
• I am afraid that I will never get my finances in order
• I am afraid I may never lose weight
• I am afraid I will never become consistent in my walk with God

Whether you set resolutions or not, whether you have kept your resolutions or not, whether you have had a great start to the year or not—the New Testament has some great encouragement for your soul. You still can receive in a new year.

Moments of New Beginnings

Imagine the exhilaration of the occasion. Timothy’s upbringing in the spiritually encouraging environment of a godly mother and grandmother had propelled him to this juncture in his life. Paul, the greatest Christian leader of the day, had taken a special interest in this young disciple. In this moment, Paul placed his hands on Timothy, accompanied by the local elders, and appointed Timothy to spiritual leadership. It was his ordination moment. The elders pronounced biblical truths over this young man and Paul prayed passionately to a great God for the richest of Christ’s blessings on Timothy’s burgeoning service for Jesus. Paul would appoint him to lead the significant church in the influential city of Ephesus. This was a season of new determination, grand hopes, and eager expectations.

We’ve all had similar moments when our anticipation is high and our resolve is clear. The Lord is leading us, and we sense His power. The excitement of a new start brings fresh joy. Our faith runs high. Often, this is the feeling of a new chapter in our career or family. The beginning of a new calendar year can seem like this as we set goals and embrace a spiritual “reset.” But then…

A Young Man’s Lost Resolve

Let’s fast forward in Timothy’s story. While pastoring in Ephesus, he gradually surrendered his heart and mind to numbing fear. The hot flame of potential and promise that burned at his ordination had been shrouded by timidity and defeat. Paul’s familiar words explain:

“…I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:6–7).

Timothy needed a restart of his resolution to serve with courage, endurance, and abounding faith. Paul told him to “fan into flame” the gift of his calling, the reality of his supernatural empowerment. We could paraphrase this as a challenge to make “full use” of all God had given, or to keep spiritual passion fiery hot. Why did Paul need to challenge Timothy in this way? Because God had not given him a “spirit” or attitude of fear, timidity, or discouragement.

January Discouragement

Perhaps this command is for you today. You start off a new year with focus, determination, and spiritual zeal; but soon you may be plagued with doubt and fear. What is the solution? Just as Timothy needed the reminder, so do we. By the power of His Spirit in us, God has given us a spirit, or attitude, of power, love, and self-control. Focus on those three qualities, and let’s make some application so that we may be receiving in a new year, not just resolving.

Power Beyond the Resolutions

Our ability to grow and flourish in a new year is not based on our resolve to chase after some ideals that we have set. Rather, our attitude of confidence must be firmly established in the reality of the Holy Spirit’s power working in us to accomplish God’s purposes. Philippians 2:13 tells us, “…it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Ephesians 3:20-21 promises that the Spirit within us can accomplish more than we could ask or imagine. Our greatest resolution must be to live with a conscious, moment-by-moment reliance on the person of the Holy Spirit to lead, empower, fulfill the word of God, and glorify Christ in and through us. So, let’s ‘resolve’ to receive in a new year.

Our ability to grow and flourish in a new year is not based on our resolve to chase after some ideals that we have set. Rather, our attitude of confidence must be firmly established in the reality of the Holy Spirit’s power working in us to accomplish God’s purposes.

Love Beyond the Disappointments

Romans 5:5 says, “…and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” The hope of knowing that God is at work in us, through all the good and the bad of life, banishes the shame of “not measuring up.” The Spirit in us assures us that we are loved even when feelings of defeat or disappointment overshadow us. Our Lord loves us eternally whether we achieve our resolutions or fail miserably. Let this truth sink in, and receive the consistent, overcoming love of God in the deepest part of your soul. Live in that reality.

Our Lord loves us eternally whether we achieve our resolutions or fail miserably. Let this truth sink in, and receive the consistent, overcoming love of God in the deepest part of your soul.

Self-Control Beyond Lethargy

Fear and disappointment can sometimes put us in a funk. We land in a dark place where we want to give up. The power of the Holy Spirit is greater than these unreliable emotions. Self-control is the fruit of His life in us (Galatians 5:23). I define self-control as “regulating one’s conduct by principle rather than emotion, impulse, or convenience.” The “principle” is the person and power of the Holy Spirit, who can motivate, reshape, and sustain us for the good purposes of God.

Receive in the New Year—A New Beginning—Every Day

Frankly, we make too much of January 1. It is just a day on the calendar. In fact, “New Year’s Day” has been designated on various days of the year in history and other cultures. We should remember that the New Testament speaks of time in terms of “kairos” (moments of eternal opportunity) rather than “chronos” (minutes marked on a linear calendar). With this in mind, receiving in a new year and fresh opportunity can begin every day. So let us fully receive in the new year and rest in the impartation of the Holy Spirit to our souls every morning—an impartation of fresh power, unfailing love, and supernatural self-control. Fear not, my friend. His mercies are new every morning.

A new year and fresh opportunity can begin every day. So let us fully receive in the new year and rest in the impartation of the Holy Spirit to our souls every morning—an impartation of fresh power, unfailing love, and supernatural self-control.

For more information on going deeper and fully receiving what God has for your life in 2024, consider our Deeper Life 30 Day coaching cohort that helps to grow deeper roots for a healthy and God-honoring life.

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