Going into a new year gives everyone the opportunity to get a fresh start and take some steps to become a better version of whatever they are. For children of God, we understand that every day is an opportunity to grow in our faith, but a new year provides us with a fresh start, as well. If you want to become a stronger Christian in 2022, consider taking one or more of these steps.
Getting into better physical condition is the most popular New Year’s resolution every year. According to industry experts, more than 12% of the gym membership signups in the United States happen within the first few days of January. Unfortunately, most of those memberships end up being forgotten, as other studies indicate that roughly 80% of New Year’s resolutions are given up on by the end of February. However, for those who stick with their resolutions, the process of becoming a stronger, healthier version of themselves requires some serious work.
The process of becoming stronger is a painful, lengthy process that requires work and dedication. If part of your physical goals includes a more muscular, defined look, you’ll have to take part in resistance training and other weight-based workouts that actually tear the muscles in your body, before allowing them to heal, resulting in a more muscular, stronger version of yourself.
Becoming stronger in your faith works in a very similar way. It requires discipline, commitment, and intentional decision making. However, if you want your faith to grow in the new year, consider taking one or more of the steps that we’re going to discuss today.
Resistance Training
James 1:2-4 (TPT)
My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
The things in your life that you see as problems can actually serve as great strengtheners of your faith if you allow them to. In the same way that becoming stronger in the physical sense requires some resistance training, becoming stronger in your faith will also require some resistance.
It’s important that you understand what happens when you make the commitment to becoming stronger in your faith. When you make that decision, God is pleased and commits Himself to helping you make that a reality. However, Satan also knows of your plans, and wants to do everything possible to hinder your progress. The spiritual resistance that you face when you’re pursuing spiritual growth can either make you give up on your goals, or it can serve as a benefit to you.
James said that allowing your resistance to strengthen you largely comes down to how you view it. “When it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity.” Instead of getting overly frustrated and giving up on the growth that you’re pursuing, view the resistance that you’re facing as an invaluable opportunity. When you do so, your faith becomes stronger, your endurance grows, and it “releases perfections into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.”
There will be times of trouble in 2022, just like there was in 2021. However, when you shift your perspective and view these hindrances as an opportunity, you can become a stronger, more complete Christian.
There’s Strength in Numbers
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
To further draw on the comparison of strengthening your body and strengthening your spirit, there is strength in numbers. Fitness trainers often tell people that one of the best ways to ensure that you stick with your new workout routine is to have a workout partner. When you have someone else who is equally committed to improving their physical condition as you are, there’s a sense of accountability between the two of you. You can encourage one another and share in one another’s victories and setbacks.
The same can be said of your spiritual growth and development. When God created you, He didn’t create you to take an isolated approach to your relationship with Him. That’s where there are countless verses in the Bible that refer to believers as the body of Christ. In the same way that the different parts of your body work together, God wants believers to work together to achieve His ultimate purpose for the world.
How many believers do you have a genuine connection with? How involved are you in a local church? If you feel like you’re isolated from other Christians, ask yourself why that’s the case. When you have a better understanding of the relationships in your life, you can identify areas where you can become even more closely connected with other believers.
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote the words that we just read in Ecclesiastes. His statement that two are better than one applies to our Christian lives today just as much as it did then. Surround yourself with people who you can help and who can help you. There’s strength in numbers.
Doing Good Works
James 2:18 (ESV)
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Finally, your faith grows when you start doing things that reflect it. Think of your faith as a seed. When you water it, fertilize it, expose it to sunshine, and all of the other things that a seed needs, it grows into something bigger and more beautiful than you could ever imagine. That’s how your faith works.
James, the half-brother of Christ didn’t mince his words when he talked about the importance of combining faith and works. No, your works don’t result in your salvation. No, there’s nothing you can do to become any more saved or more loved than you are right now. However, there are several benefits to combining faith and works.
First of all, the unsaved people that you interact with every day aren’t impressed by how many Bible verses you can quote. They don’t particularly care about how many times a week you attend church. This isn’t to say that Bible study and church attendance aren’t important, but those things don’t attract the unsaved. Instead, they are moved when they see you putting Christlike behaviors behind the things that you claim to believe.
Secondly, when you start serving others, your faith grows. God loves to see His people doing things for others, and He rewards us when we do. Consider taking out some time each week or every month to volunteer somewhere that serves other people. Depending on your schedule and your other obligations, you may be able to serve regularly. When you make a commitment to serving others regularly throughout the coming year, you are showing your faith through your works, and God will richly reward you.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I want to be a stronger Christian in the coming year, but I know that to do that I need to make some changes to make that a reality. Help me to view the resistance that I face as an opportunity. Help me to develop relationships with other believers so we can encourage one another. Finally, show me areas in my community where I can serve. In Christ’s name I ask these things, Amen.