Some women set New Year's resolutions every January 1st, while others set goals. Some do it at the end of the year in preparation for the new year, while others choose to set goals throughout the year. Many create quarterly objectives.

It is a familiar experience for many of us to feel our initial enthusiasm for our goals fade over time. This is a shared struggle, not unique to any one of us. Regardless of gender, we all find it challenging to sustain our resolutions or goals.

Does no one want positive change in their lives? 

Of course. Our deep desire for positive transformation in our lives is a common thread that binds us. The issue is not a lack of desire, but often the need for enhanced diligence and commitment.

Often, what is needed is a boost in our diligence, a quality we all possess and can enhance.

Is this not also true of our very faith in Christ? 

If women are not diligent in keeping our eyes on Jesus, we easily grow tired of...

Women all have things that happen in their lives that cause them to lose hope. It could be losing a job or not getting the promotion they were anticipating. You may have to move away from family and friends to start in a new home.

When a cherished dream dissipates, have faith that God has a fresh dream in store for you:

• A different path
• A new journey
• A new calling
• A powerful message
• A renewed passion

Even in the face of your loss, trust that God, the ultimate comforter, can alleviate your pain and develop something innovative within and through you.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV - "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are...

When feeling anxious, it is common to experience Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs), which can make your thoughts and emotions feel out of control. ANTs tend to be negative, inaccurate, and filled with fear and worry. It is important to counter these thoughts with the truth.

Managing your anxiety can be achieved by controlling your thoughts. Your thoughts act like a conductor, directing the orchestra of your emotions. Interestingly, one of the ways God transforms us is by guiding us toward changing our thoughts.

The Bible says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2 KJV). The apostle Paul saw the benefit of this.

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul advises the Philippians to refrain from feeling anxious, then shifts focus to their thoughts.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,...

One definition of failure is a lack of success in accomplishing something or coming short of a performance standard we or others have set. Disappointment is the sense of unhappiness and frustration resulting from the failure. These feelings can stem from our failures, the failures of others, or both. What does the Bible teach us about failure and disappointment? How should women respond to disappointments?

Scripture's consistent message is that failure and disappointment are inescapable parts of the human experience. Biblical examples of failure expose the painful disappointment that follows in its course: disappointment with self, others, and even God. One of the challenges with the constant victory narratives we are fed today is the message that triumph is for everyone and that everyone will be a winner. The result is that no one is prepared when victory is slow to visit and when failure knocks at their door, sometimes repeatedly.

Wisdom from...

We need to humble ourselves before god, and He will honor us. This humbleness does not mean that Christians should carry the burden of low self-esteem. Learning from successes can boost your self-esteem. You learn more about yourself and your strengths. Everyone excels in at least one area, and often in more than one. A Spiritual Gifts Assessment helps you understand your God-given talents. This can help you understand where your best skills lie. You should then do activities that empower you to take advantage of those proven abilities more often.

^“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” – James 1:17 KJV

If you do something well, you feel a sense of accomplishment. Your confidence surges because you were able to achieve something that either helped you or helped others. In many cases, you were the best choice for the task...

Our lives are so hectic that it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine, and we forget how truly blessed we are. There never seems to be sufficient hours in the day to get everything done. And then there are the constant interruptions. The phone rings, a new email or text message pops up, and a colleague walks into the department. Many times our day feels like nothing more than a series of disruptions.

Add to that the triviality of being surrounded by media and ads, and it is no wonder we yearn for a simpler and more spiritual life. While we cannot alter our surroundings, there is an approach we can use to help us be calm, more balanced, and more spiritual - beginning our day with spiritual activity.

When you want to strengthen your relationship with God and uncover your spiritual gifts, here is the one thing you can do today:

Strengthen your relationship with God first thing in the morning!

Start your day off with a prayer, devotional...

We all love a fresh new year. New Year’s Day always seems so special. It is a point to let go of the past year, past mistakes, and regrets, then move on to a fresh new slate. Our hopes are high with new goals and beginnings.

We are focused on new things and making them work in the new year. Some of us make new year resolutions and promise ourselves we will commit to them without fail.

We are full-on excited about the new days ahead, and then we fall off the wall of resolution and back to our old ways. We tell ourselves we will try again in 6 months, which turns into the next new year. We ride this cycle every year, and every year we only get it half done.

I want to urge you to keep reading because this may be the year that you stop the cycle, get off the merry-go-round, and thrive with success. I invite you to look at the new year that is coming with a different set of eyes or a different heart tone.

This new tone of the heart is a heart of...

START OVER

When you've trusted God and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way ...
Start over.

When you've made your plans, and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best, and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself, and you don't know why ...
Start over.

When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them, and they didn't come through
And you're all alone, and it's up to you ...
Start over.

When you've failed your kids, and they've grown and gone
When you've done your best, but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along ...
Start over.

When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed, and you don't know still ...
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill ...
Start over.

When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it ...
Start over.

When the year has been long and...

When Life Spins Out of Control, Find Peace

Brenda's husband was in the military, and her family frequently transferred to different locations. As soon as it seemed they had put down roots in one spot, they inevitably moved to a new place.

One day, a long-time friend asked Brenda how she managed to cope with the constant change. Brenda explained, "I've learned that peace is not something that comes from perfect circumstances. Peace is something that flows from my relationship with Jesus."

It is tempting to think that if you had ideal circumstances, you would feel at peace. Maybe you say you would be at peace if your job were not so stressful. Perhaps you tell your friends that you would be at peace if you had a better marriage. Maybe you say you would be at peace if you did not have that chronic illness.

But as Brenda has learned, peace does not stem from your circumstances. You can be living in the best or the worst moments of your life, and you can still know peace.

3 Hard...