New year… mid-January… and we are still building the goal list. In this episode we laugh about past goals (guitar, pull-ups, and “oops we already accomplished that one”) while getting real about why “resolutions” usually crash and burn. 

The big takeaway: behaviors and habits beat wishful goal statements every time. We also talk about God’s mercy being new every morning, what to do when you fall off track, and how storms can either push you away from God or pull you closer.

Here is the devotional throught the Bible podcase resource that we refrenced. 

Side by Side Podcast (Keith Birdsong) - Bible in a year resource:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/side-by-side/id1720544667

Highlights

• The difference between dreaming and doing
• Why discipline beats motivation (every time)
• “Do the thing” and stop living in prep mode
• Simple, repeatable habits that move your life forward
• Why God’s mercy being “new every morning” matters when you mess up your goals
• “Rule of Five” style consistency: small daily actions over big emotional resolutions
• Three storms in Scripture, three different reactions, and what that reveals in us

Timestamps (approx.)

• 00:01 New Year goals, fresh starts, and why habits win
• 06:30 Monica’s favorite annual goal: reading the Bible through
• 07:30 Resource shoutout: Side by Side podcast (Keith Birdsong)
• 12:30 The gym resolution crash and why “January 11” is the danger zone
• 15:30 “New mercies” and restarting when you fail
• 19:30 Pull-ups, travel, and why inconvenience kills vague goals
• 23:00 “Do the thing” (thinking, posting, prepping is not doing)
• 28:00 Storm seasons and what they reveal about our walk with God
• 33:30 Maxwell’s “Rule of Five” and taking five swings a day
• 36:11 Why we don’t love the word “resolutions”
• 37:36 The danger of not writing goals at all (even simple ones)

Scriptures and Biblical Moments Referenced

• Lamentations 3:22-23 (His mercies are new every morning)
• Jonah (storm, surrender, and God using the mess anyway)
• Jesus calming the storm (“Peace, be still”)
• Paul’s storm and shipwreck (and the viper on the island, Acts 27-28)
• Mentions/allusions to:
  • “Unto whom much is given, much is required”
  • “More than conquerors”
  • “I can do all things through Christ…”

Takeaways to Apply This Week

• Pick one tree (one focus) instead of swinging at everybody else’s trees.
• Define the tool (what actually works) and the five swings (daily actions).
• If you fell off track, don’t wait for next year. Restart tomorrow.
• Replace “I want to…” with “I do this on these days…”

Question to Reflect On

What is the thing you keep planning, talking about, or researching… but you still haven’t actually started?

Closing

If you’re in a storm, just know God will get glory through it. The question is whether we fight Him through the process or surrender and find peace in it.

Thanks for listening and hanging with us. We’re grateful for you.

Tags / Keywords 

New Year habits, Christian encouragement, spiritual disciplines, goal setting, habits vs resolutions, Lamentations 3:22-23, discipline vs motivation, John Maxwell Rule of Five, faith and consistency, Bible in a year, Side by Side podcast, storms of life, obedience, prayer life, Christian podcast, Silver Lining Podcast, Luke and Monica