![]() ![]() Norcross et al (2002) found that 46% of resolvers were “continually successful” after six months while just 4% of nonresolvers (people who wanted to make change-exercise more, eat better, the usual, but didn’t make resolutions) saw change.While those numbers are pretty good, here is a better one: People who make resolutions are more than 10x likely to be successful making change compared to those who just think about the change they want. After one month, 55% were still successful, and by six months, 40% of resolvers were holding on to their New Years commitment. Norcross et al (1989) found that after one week, 77% of resolvers kept their resolutions.Marlatt and Kaplan (1975) found that 75% of college students stayed true to their resolutions after 15 weeks.After a couple weeks, maybe a month, the line-ups for machines and racks at the gym go from mayhem to ma-normal.īut for plenty of resolvers, the resolutions produce lasting change: The wave of new sign-ups at the local gym thin out when the excitement starts to wear off. You see it in the pool, at the gym, and the fruits and vegetables section at the grocery store: hopped up on the motivation and excitement of a fresh start, many of us are launching ourselves into some form of improvement.įor some, the surge in motivation and commitment is short-lived. I’m gonna eat better! Be 18% more committed to my goals! Train like someone stole my lunch money! All you have to do is ask for His help.The New Year is rolling out, and if you are like most swimmers, you’ve written up some fancy-pants resolutions for you and your swimming. God is with you, ready to help you get back on your feet. ![]() So whatever you’re going through right now, remember that you are not alone. These stories remind us that no matter how bad things seem, God will always forgive us and help us start over. Fortunately, the Bible is packed with inspiring stories of people who were given a new beginning. When life knocks us down, we all need a fresh start. His story serves as an inspiration to all those who have gone through failure yet still choose to remain faithful in their journey with God. The Bible tells us that this unexpected transformation so moved Nicodemus that he became a mentor to other believers who had also experienced conversion after meeting Jesus (John 3:1–8). His faith turned failure into success as he experienced a fresh start. Nicodemus experienced a transformation of heart and mind, leaving behind his life of religion and legalism and embracing a relationship with Jesus Christ. But one day, he decided to break away from that world and follow Christ. He was a prominent member of the Pharisees, a religious sect of the Jews known for being strict in their beliefs and practices. You might not be familiar with the story of Nicodemus. What an incredible transformation! In the end, God used Saul’s zeal against Him for good and made him one of the most influential people in history. He went from a zealous persecutor of the Christian faith to a passionate defender. Saul’s story reminds us that no one is beyond redemption, and God’s grace covers all sins. He experienced a spiritual awakening that we can all relate to-no matter what our past may have been like. Saul’s amazing conversion story can encourage us to believe in the power of fresh starts. But his life changed forever when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Before he was known as Paul, Saul was a murderer and persecutor of Christians. The transformation of Saul is quite remarkable. ![]() Zacchaeus was so happy to hear this that he promised to give half of his possessions to the poor and to repay anyone he had cheated four times over. He said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19:5). When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, he called him down from the tree. He just needed a chance to meet Jesus and change his ways.Īnd that’s precisely what happened. Zacchaeus became one of the most honest people in town. He may have been a tax collector, but that didn’t mean he was bad. When Zacchaeus was up in the tree, he was desperate to see Jesus. Zacchaeus: A Tax Collector’s Transformation Don’t give up on yourself because you are worth fighting for. It won’t be easy, but with faith and determination, you can overcome any obstacle. If Joseph can achieve his dreams, then so can you. He faced many challenges along the way, but he kept moving forward. ![]() He was born into slavery but rose to the top because he refused to give up on his dreams. You may feel like you’re at your lowest point and that there’s no way out. You may feel stuck in a dead-end job or that your life is going nowhere. You, dear reader, may be facing a difficult time right now. Peter's Remorseless Path From Denial to Dedication.Zacchaeus: A Tax Collector's Transformation.Joseph’s Journey From Slavery to the Top. ![]()
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