January is known as a time for renewal. New year, new you is heard all over.  Resolutions, one special word or sentence, goals and plans are made with enthusiasm in late December and January. We are so excited for the new year and how this year will be different.
    However something happens to many people by late January and February. The excitement, eagerness and happiness of new changes wears off. The resolutions might be regreted, forgotten or plain given up. The one word may be changed to a paragraph. The goals and plans may be slightly altered or off kiltered. And many get back into their old habits, mindsets and routines.
     There are reasons why many don't change or keep their resolutions, goals or words.  Sometimes we can't pinpoint it to one thing, its combinations of things that stop us from reaching that goal. Ourselves and our envrionments are two key reasons for not reaching that resolution, goal, plan, etc.
           When we set goals we have to remember that there will be ups and downs and no straight clear way towards the end. Don't give up! I have a post called Help to Jump Start Your Change Journey that  explains how we change and tips to help you stay on the journey.Change is like a spiral staircase. We move forward and up but sometimes there are curves that seem to take as away from the destination but we are still going forward on that windy road. Click on pic below to go to that post.
      

         Sometimes there are underlying issues of why we keep giving up on our goals, resolutions, etc. Maybe there is a root cause that needs to be analyzed. We want to lose weight, but keep eating. We want to save money, but keep spending. We want to choose a different type of man, but still keep falling for the same goofball guy. Learn more about root causes from a previous post I wrote. 

      An important aspect of change and reaching goals is having confidence in ourselves, belief that the  change, goal or plan will be acheived even when times are tough.  Our environment is a big factor in acheiving our goals, too:
Who are we around? Do we have support? What do we watch, read or listen, to? Who are we following or liking on social media? Is our community safe? Does our community make it easy for us to reach those goals? Think on other ways our environment influences us. How is your environment?
       In the end its about our motives. Why do we want to make this change, goal, plan, or resolution? Is it for selfish reasons?  Is it to help others? Is it to glorify God and advance his kingdom? Is it to better our health to experience the abundant life God has for us? What is your motivation?
    2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weights the motives.
   3  Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16 :2-3 NASB
      If our motivation and plans are for the Lord they will be approved, acheived and realized! Isn't that awesome! But it still takes work on our part.

                                                Believe and have confidence in yourself. +
                    Surround yourself with supportive people. Be mindful of your environment. +
                                                Let God be your motivation. =  Success!!!
 I pray for strength, courage and faith in you and God as you are on your way to acheiving your goal! In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
For help on your goals I designed a free weekly planner printable.  Leave a comment, share your goals if you'd like! Has She Who Honors helped you in any way? If so please share with me and a friend or two. I would love to hear. Contact me at Christina@SheWhoHonors.com. Don't forget to get a tee from the Love Letter Collection to rock your faith! Sign up for the fabulous faith - filled list. Love ya!
                                            
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      Hello! This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. I may earn a small fee if you click the link and take action.    
      One of my strengths is called Input. I crave to learn as much as possible about things I’m interested in. So, I read and research voraciously on those subjects. I write down key points. Then what I learn I have to teach/tell my husband about it first (thanks Ethan for the rapt attention!). And then I always end up helping/educating/ telling others about this knowledge because what I put in has to come out. I want to help others with this knowledge grow so they can experience the abundant life God has planned for them! Hence why I blog, am a Certified Health Education Specialist, was a client advocate, an unofficial counselor, an unofficial librarian, researcher, you get the picture.
        The book I’m currently reading is called Integrity: The courage to meet the demands of reality. How six essential qualities determine your success in business. By Dr. Henry Cloud. This is an affiliate link. I may earn a small fee if you click the link.(You may have heard of the popular book Boundaries that he wrote.) I’m reading this book because I want to learn as much as I can about business, marketing, e- commerce, etc. This is a very good book and I highly recommend it. I’m learning so much about integrity and my character. This book is a must read to achieve success in every aspect of your life. This isn’t just for business owners or employees.
           I started reading this book first, because I like Dr. Cloud, who’s a Christian Psychologist, second, I want to know more about succeeding in business. And third I am so tired of reading, watching webinars, and reading posts and blogs from these “business experts” on the web that all have the same tired advice! I wanted to read from a source that I know of and have confidence in.
         The “business experts” advice is missing the point about being successful. Success comes from having certain character traits. These traits are learned from childhood, experience, the Bible, learning from mistakes, good role models and other factors. This is not taught in school. Some of these traits are trustworthy, honest, being focused, empathetic, gaining knowledge and humbleness. Basically, all of the fruits of the spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23).
        The meaning of success is a favorable outcome, doing what was desired or attempted; an attainment of wealth or fame or position (Oxford American Dictionary). Everyone wants to be successful at something(s) in their life. Being successful to some doesn’t always mean having money! I want to be a successful parent and raise godly children of good character. A pastor’s success may be in how many people he can help know Christ. A successful wife wants to be pleasing, loving, patient and kind to her husband.
        God wants you to prosper at life. How he wants you to prosper is far from what is falsely taught of prosperity.  Prosper means to be successful; to thrive (Oxford American Dictionary). When I looked up the word prosper in a topical Bible search there were many meanings: success, thrive, victorious, triumph, completeness, soundness, to advance, to bless! Aren’t those same breath taking definitions? I want my life to be all of those, what about you?
           How can you be prosperous in life? By trusting Jesus as Lord and savior over your life, fully trusting and obeying God in all things and reading and meditating on the Bible, using the wisdom it has and living in the Spirit. There are countless scriptures about how to be prosperous:
    Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night. 
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT)

Come, my children, and listen to me,
    and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Does anyone want to live a life
    that is long and prosperous?
 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies!
 Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Psalm 34:11-14 (NLT)
     These are just a couple of scriptures on being prosperous and successful!
     I just gave you the secret to success!! Just kidding, it’s really no secret. God has given us this knowledge in the Bible. I pray for everyone to realize and believe how much God loves us and wants us to live a prosperous life to be a blessing to Him and others. What do you want to be successful in? Leave a comment, I love to hear from you!
     Thanks for reading. You know the drill: like, share, comment and follow me. I follow back! Sign up for the faith – filled fabulous woman list to get awesome deals for the shop and blog updates. When you sign up you will get a free printable scripture wall art from She Who Honors designs. That printable wall art may just be a preview of what will be launching next. Love ya!