How to Make Better Resolutions in 2025: A Biblical Guide to Personal Growth
Ah, the new year is upon us! That magical time of year when we collectively decide to transform our lives overnight, thanks to a few fireworks and the flip of a calendar page. We resolve to eat kale, hit the gym daily, and finally tackle that ever-growing list of goals—and yet, by February, many of us are back to sipping soda, binge-watching shows, and promising ourselves we’ll "try again next year."
But what if this year could be different? What if, instead of setting unrealistic goals or dreading January like it’s a test we forgot to study for, we focused on preparing our minds, hearts, and souls for a new season—one grounded in biblical truth and sprinkled with practical, psychologically sound strategies? If we did, it might look something like this…
6 Practical Ways to Prepare for a New Season in 2025
1. Reflect Without Regret
Before diving into 2025 plans, take a moment to reflect on 2024. Reflection isn’t about dwelling on mistakes but rather prayerfully considering the lessons God has taught us. Ask, “Lord, what did You reveal to me this year?” Celebrate victories, acknowledge growth, and invite God to guide you into the new season. Journal your reflections or make a "Thankful List" to remember His faithfulness. Reflect on how God has provided for you in 2024. Identify hopes of how you want to see Him work in 2025.
Remember, even the disciples had their fair share of failures—like Peter denying Jesus, Thomas doubting the resurrection, and all of them scattering at the cross. But God’s grace redeems every moment. Whether 2024 was a year of triumph or face-palms, God can use it all for His glory (Romans 8:28).
2. Choose Goals That Nurture Mind, Body, and Soul
Most resolutions focus on physical health—more workouts, better diets. While these are great, remember that we are wonderfully complex beings created by God. Consider goals that touch on all three aspects of your personhood without overwhelming your to-do list. Think through goals that touch on growth in all three categories, but not three separate goals! No one needs three more things added to their to do list. Rather, intentionally choose a goal that inspires wholeness.
For example, perhaps your marriage is prime for growth. A mind-body-soul resolution could be a weekly walk with your spouse to discuss highs, lows, and what God is teaching you. This encourages vulnerability in your relationship, emotional connection, and accountability to each other and to God. Plus with a walk, you’re exercising your physical bodies at the same time–mind, body, soul!
3. Practice Sabbath Rest
We live in a culture that glorifies hustle, so rest often feels like a luxury. But God calls us to rest–even commands it (Exodus 16:23)! He also set an example for us to follow–remember when He created the world? After six days of work, He rested (Genesis 2:2-3). He did not need to rest; He does not tire. He rested to show the importance of it for us. Jesus also would retreat and take time to rest and be with God throughout the New Testament. And He was the one who said, “I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
This year, let’s prioritize Sabbath rest—not just on Sundays, but as a lifestyle. Take time to unplug from technology, breathe in God’s creation, and savor His presence. It’s amazing how stepping away from the chaos can rejuvenate your soul. It's easy to say we are *too* busy to slow down. Lets use 2025 as an opportunity to be honest with ourselves about what is really important and eliminate unnecessary distractions.
4. Build Authentic Community
Isolation can wreak havoc on mental health. Even the most introverted among us need connection. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us, “Two are better than one…For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.”
This year, commit to investing in authentic relationships. Authentic relationships do not happen overnight. While a meet cute with a best friend is possible, it is not likely. Developing deep friendships requires time, effort, risk, and consistency. The same is true of maintaining existing relationships. We need to invest in our people to create ongoing, life-giving connections.
Join a Bible study, reconnect with old friends, or start a weekly dinner with neighbors. Having people who can pray with you, laugh with you, and encourage you makes all the difference in having a life that is filled with genuineness and vulnerability. The key here is to be honest and open with those you choose to build community with. Vulnerability deepens connections—so move past the easy “I’m just busy” answers and share honestly when asked how you’re doing.
One way to foster authentic relationships while also considering your social/emotional capacity is to think of your interactions with friends on a vulnerability scale–1 being you don’t share any personal details and 10 being you are deeply known and intimately loved. Some people may need to stay at a level of three–great for a good time but not one who can safely handle any emotional depth in your conversations. Others are pretty comfortable at the 5 line–maybe they can engage in some relevant conversation and provide practical support when you’re struggling, but they don’t quite feel safe enough to share the deeper fears and raw emotions you keep tucked away. If you have experienced hurt or trauma within the context of relationships, it can feel safe to place a “glass ceiling” of sorts on your relationships. Maybe it's rare for an individual to reach even the “5” line on your scale. We get it. Individual therapy can be a great tool to heal from past hurts and learn how to be genuine again. A therapist can guide you in the right direction of creating safety in relationships and developing boundaries that give you the freedom to invite people in, perhaps even offering them a “6” or “7” on that scale.
Maybe this year, you want to create a resolution to invite more intimacy into a few existing friendships. Reflect on who your trusted, safe people are and try out a level “7” on the intimacy scale. Share your raw emotions or true feelings about a family event. Share how you feel defeated that you didn’t meet specific career goals. Describe how you feel like you are letting your kids down during the week. One of our favorite phrases around here is vulnerability begets vulnerability. See what happens when you share more deeply—you might find that your friend has been craving the same level of connection you are.
Friendships are about more than good times and great Instagram posts. Friendships are intended to sharpen us, carry our burdens, and reflect the love of Jesus. But they take time to build, which is why making a resolution that emphasizes consistency and persistence in relationships is so important.
5. Guard Your Mind
God cares about you–body, mind, and soul. He deeply desires to be in relationship with us. And, we also have a role to play in protecting our mental health. Philippians 4:8 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…think about such things.”
This year, be intentional about what you let into your mind. Limit doom-scrolling on social media. Surround yourself with uplifting content—be it worship music, sermons, or podcasts that remind you of who God is and who you are in light of Him. Set parameters on the amount of news you allow yourself to indulge in first thing in the morning. Find the sources that resonate with “whatever is true, whatever is good, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely…”
And when negative thoughts creep in, combat them with Scripture. Replace “I’m not enough” with “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Replace “I’ll never get it right” with “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
6. Remember your Mission
New Year’s Resolutions are usually about us. I need to lose 10 pounds. I need to eat more greens. I need to spend more quality time with my spouse. I need to earn that next promotion.
While it is good to reflect, evaluate, and grow, as believers, we cannot allow ourselves to be consumed with ourselves. As Christ Followers, we must consider our purpose. What is it that God wants from us? What does He desire? As Jesus was leaving the Earth after His resurrection, He gave this message to His disciples: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).
In short, our identity is less about us and more about God. Our purpose? To make disciples, to baptize, and to follow Jesus and teach others to do the same. This sounds incredibly simplistic yet incredibly daunting all at the same time. And yet even in the overwhelm, He offers us encouragement: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We are not alone in our mission; He is always with us.
A Christian’s Resolutions for Mind, Body, and Soul
So what do we do with this? As we look into this new year, let’s pause. Let’s start small. Let’s let our resolutions reflect our priorities, our beliefs, our values. Perhaps for you, it means becoming a student again–grab a friend or two to study God’s word with you so that you can understand it and begin to love it. Perhaps you need to challenge yourself to be more bold in sharing your life, and the Gospel, with those around you. How are you seeing God at work in your life? Share this with those in your community that may or may not know Him. Perhaps for you it’s about time, resources, relationships, or finances.
Whatever it is, whatever comes first for you at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, remember that your resolution should reflect a life on mission, and it should involve a pursuit of physical, emotional, and spiritual growth.
As you step into 2025, embrace resolutions that prepare your heart, mind, and soul to honor God and reflect His love. Let’s make this the year of intentional living, grounded in truth and sprinkled with grace.
Author: Lauren Bowman, MA, LCMHC. Co-Founder & President of Dwell Ministry, PC.
