I saw a quote last month that struck a cord with me. It said, “December is the month when you decide what to leave behind going into the new year.” I have never been one to consistently make New Year’s resolutions because I usually fail or give up a couple months into the year. However, I decided to set goals as an individual, as a wife, and as a family. I do not know why, but the word goals seem more attainable than resolutions, at least that is what I am telling myself. A few goals for 2026 are:

• Read at least six books this year
• Daily devotions and prayer with my husband
• Plan a family night once a month

I have several more goals but lets move on from that and get to what was difficult. What did I decide to leave behind? I had to take time to think about this. I wrestled with letting go of past hurts, poor habits, and control. I have spent so many years chained to these things that I allowed them to mold me into someone I no longer recognized. Choosing to leave them in 2025 has created more space to let Jesus into my life.

First, I let go of bitterness towards ended friendships and opened up room for forgiveness. Ephesians 4:31-32 says,

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Second, I left behind poor habits such as, laziness and an unhealthy lifestyle. Both of which go hand in hand. I accepted the fact that laziness is a sin. “Boredom, procrastination and abandoned projects are obvious signs of laziness…Undisciplined sleep habits, and pride that keeps us from considering constructive criticism, can be signs of a lazy life.”¹ There are several Scriptures on idleness found throughout the Bible:

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry. ~Proverbs 19:15

Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks. ~Ecclesiastes 10:18

I love my naps, and to a degree I think naps are healthy, but second sleeps (3+ hours) makes me unproductive and is a reason to avoid responsibilities. I should also reveal my poor eating habits caused by laziness. I love a good meal, especially one that is prepared for me…like at a restaurant or fast food place. While these are fine every once in awhile, making it a routine not only harms my health, but also feeds (no pun intended) into the realization that I am too lazy to cook and I lack self-control. There are two verses that I am choosing to memorize when faced with the temptation of idleness. The first comes from Colossians 3:23,

Whatever you do , work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

Anything I do, whether it is household responsibilities or working outside the home is to be done for the Lord. This changes my mindset and can maybe even create a sense of joy in my work. Next, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20,

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Why am I feeding my body things that are affecting my health? Why am I not strengthening my body and taking care of it when my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit? These are revelations I have made when pondering what to not bring into 2026.

Finally, and this is the most difficult, letting go of control. I cannot control people in my life. I cannot force someone to change or make better choices, I can hope to model the behavior, but it is God’s job to change someones heart. I cannot control people’s opinions of me and my choices. Frankly, their personal opinions are none of my business. The only opinion and approval that matters in my life is the Lords.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. ~Galatians 1:10

That is a brief summary of what I refuse to bring into this new year. That was my former way of living, and I want to fill that space with godly living, full of productivity, trust in the Lord, and surrounded by those I love deeply. I will keep moving forward.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. ~Ephesians 4:22-24

Living by grace,

Misty

¹Bucher, Meg. Why Laziness Is a Sin and 5 Ways We Can Flee from It. http://www.biblestudytools.com