New Year’s Eve has always been a time for two things; looking back at the past and forward to the coming year.
It is a time when we reflect on the changes we would like to or need to make.
Most of us have great intentions to change certain things but statistics show that most of our New Year resolutions are forgotten by the end of January.
Why is that?
Often, one of the underlying reasons behind the difficulty in changing our behaviour is rooted in the core belief systems that we carry with us throughout life. These core beliefs are like a lens that we see ourselves and life through.
They often dictate how successful we are in our relationships, careers, and family.
When we try to change our behaviour without changing the beliefs that propel them, we will have great difficulty making the changes we desire to make.
As individuals put together their list of changes for 2012, it is important to identify the beliefs that have caused the unwanted behaviour so one can go to work on changing those beliefs.
For example, if you desire to shed some pounds, it would be important to identify what brought you to the place where these changes need to be made.
Is it because of a lack of physical exercise? Do you eat more when you are stressed?
Do you use certain foods to help improve your mood?
If so, then the questions to ask might be why does my mood need to improve?
What are the areas that cause me stress in my life and how can I eliminate them?
Maybe your desire for the new year is to curb your outbursts of anger?
It would be important to identify the events or experiences which most often push your buttons and trigger your angry feelings.
It is so important to identify the real problem, otherwise you spend a lot of time dealing with the symptoms of the problem and not solving the real issue.
The scripture often uses analogies of seeds, trees, roots, vines, and fruits.
In Matthew 13:8, it tells us that if the seed falls on good soil, it will bear much fruit – some hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Allow me to give you an analogy using a “belief tree” to help you understand the process we often go through.
Our roots represent our foundational beliefs; the trunk represents our values, which we form from our beliefs.
The branches represent our personal decisions and the fruit represents the resulting personal actions.
There is a direct link between what we believe and how we behave.
In order for there to be healthy life and reproduction, the DNA must flow from the roots into the fruit.
To produce good and lasting fruit, we need to properly nourish our roots.
As others eat of that fruit, they will ingest the seeds for reproducing healthy life as well.
As you enter the new year with intentions to improve your life, remember to identify what is underneath the behaviour that you desire to change.
That will make all the difference.
Remember, the soil in which the tree grows represents your worldview, the roots are your beliefs and the trunk your values, out of which your branches and fruit are developed.
The fruit of our lives must carry the DNA of Godly beliefs and values in its seeds in order to multiply the abundant life.
– Larry Dannhauer is senior pastor of Grand Forks Christian Centre
