5 Small Habits to Help You Stay Focused on God in the New Year

I personally think New Year's resolutions are overrated. I'm very stubborn, so even when my New Year's resolution is to exercise more, drink more water, or clean more, I feel like it's a command (however ridiculous) and I balk at it. Needless to say, my resolutions never lasted very long. However, finding things that bring me joy isn't such a chore - like growing closer to God. So, instead of making New Year's Resolutions, I prefer to create habits.

Habits are hard to form and easy to break. At least, that's been my experience. So, I encourage choosing small habits to incorporate into your everyday life so it doesn't feel so cumbersome. Big changes can make you feel rushed, overwhelmed, and stressed. Start small and see how easily those larger habits become more attainable.

Let's find some easy habits we can practice to draw closer to God and strengthen our relationship with Him.

Prayer can feel hard. I get it. But here's the thing: God doesn't expect you to be a "thou," "thee," or [insert Old English word of your choice] speaker. His only requirement is that you seek Him. When I was younger, I never felt like my prayers were enough. I wasn't using the "right words," so God wouldn't hear me or He would chastise me for being so casual. As I got older, I realized my relationship with God is very personal. He doesn't require me to speak in Old English or have a list of prayer requests. Most of the time, my prayers are silent. I talk with God, not to Him. We have actual conversations. Granted, most of the time I'm being stubborn, but at least we're talking.

It doesn't have to be complicated. Speak as though you're talking to your friend. I promise, He only wants to hear from you. Choose a time of day that works best for you to set aside some time to focus and say a few words. Perhaps take a few minutes out of your doom scrolling and direct your attention to the One who put you on this earth for a purpose.

This is a popular one - read your Bible. But don't make it a chore. I'm all for the "read the Bible in a year" challenges, but if it becomes more of a chore than a blessing, then it's not fulfilling its purpose. The time I spend reading my Bible gives me pleasure. Admittedly, I am doing a Bible-in-a-year study, but it's going to take me more than a year. I'm a busy mom, and some nights we're not home until late. I've had to learn to give myself grace when I miss a night of reading my Bible. Just don't let skipping your reading become your habit rather than the reading.

If you need somewhere to start, I highly recommend Alabaster's A Beautiful Year in the Bible: The 52-Week Bible Study for Women. It's been such a blessing to me. I've tried starting at Genesis and reading through, and I've tried the chronological order. I found I got bored fairly quickly and reached the point of making myself read, which is not a good state to be in. I became unfocused and didn't retain anything. A Beautiful Year in the Bible groups readings from various books into a weekly subject. For whatever reason, my mind finds this method more interesting, and I can stay focused.

However you choose to do it, just make sure you open your Bible. Part of growing closer to God and understanding Him is reading His word.

"Church" isn't a building. Church is the gathering of souls for the purpose of worshiping and praising God. That being said, the best place to find such a "gathering" is at a church building. Usually on Sundays and/or Wednesdays. Sometimes other days or nights, depending on various bible study schedules. Find one. Attend. Engross yourself with God's word and find others with similar ambitions.

Don't get discouraged when you attend a service or study that isn't the right fit. Now, when I say "fit," I don't mean whatever makes you comfortable. If the preacher or teacher is telling everyone they're going to Heaven, avoiding the hard subjects, and spewing their own opinions rather than what the Bible says, then you need to find a different church. Being a Christian isn't comfortable. It will make you wiggle in your seat, duck your head from embarrassment, and keep your palms sweaty. There was only one perfect person who walked this earth, and you ain't Him. So relish in the uncomfortable, because it's exactly where God wants you.

Attend at least one service weekly. We need fellowship to feed our souls.

Giving grace and showing gratitude can be difficult sometimes. Believe me, I get it. We often forget that everyone has a different circumstance, a different past, and a different viewpoint. None of us is the same. Regardless, every one of us has something to be grateful for. The next time you feel angry or sad or just in a bad mood, I encourage you to make a list of all the things you're grateful for in that moment. Then, come back here and tell me how your attitude changed. When we put our blessings in perspective with our difficulties, our frustration has a way of dissolving into gratefulness.

It's hard dealing with angry, sad, or moody people, isn't it? We all have our moments. So why does our own mood morph when faced with someone who is crabby with us? Shouldn't we be kind and understanding? Dare I say, give them grace? We don't know their circumstance in those moments, just as they don't know ours. Thankfully, God knows it all. He is the ultimate Healer, so instead of wondering why so-and-so has to be in a bad mood all the time, pray for him or her. I know I have my days, and I hope the people I encounter on those days give me a sliver of grace and a quick prayer. Heaven knows I need it.

For most, witnessing doesn't come naturally. Especially if you're a new Christian. Even as a seasoned Christian, I struggle with witnessing. It's hard to let go of those thoughts that being too vocal about your faith can cost you friends, family, money, your reputation, or any other worldly thing you hold dear. Which is exactly why we need to witness. The threat of losing those things doesn't come from God. Those threats come from the enemy as a way to stifle our relationship with God.

Witnessing to your family and friends is perhaps the hardest because they are the closest to us. It's not easy telling someone you don't agree with their way of life or their actions because it goes against the Bible and God. Sometimes it can cause contention between people and create a barrier that may never fall. But when you think about the ultimate reward of following God's instruction, those relationships we were so scared to lose pale in comparison to the one relationship we should be nurturing.

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Habits don't come naturally - whether good or bad. It takes effort on our part to make a habit a habit. We just need to make sure the habits we create bring us closer to God rather than creating a distraction that creates space between God and us. Avoid burnout by starting small. Don't stress out if you miss a day of reading your Bible. Simply be intentional about blocking off some time to read it the next day. Stay focused on feeding your relationship with God.

Share your own small habits that help you grow your relationship with God in the comments. Your suggestion may inspire others in their walk with the Lord.