Have you ever felt like your past has you on a yearly subscription plan with a renewal notice you leave turned on?Every January you’re hopeful. Motivated. Maybe even color-coding a planner—not me of course, but I have friends who do.And then—bam—a familiar voice you’ve heard before starts in,
“Nice try. But be realistic. You say this every year.”Oh thank you for reminding me, I really needed to remember.So instead of boldly declaring our goals, many of us keep them quietly tucked away, just in case. Because failing silently feels safer than trying loudly.If I don’t talk about it and I don’t reach my goals, it’s just between me and Jesus.And if your goal involves food, well… there’s a special kind of irony in literally eating your own words.
(Someone pass the chips of shame.)Most of us assume the problem is willpower. If we could just try harder, pray longer, or buy the right protein powder, we’d finally get it together.
But Jesus invites us to take a very different approach.
This Isn’t a Willpower Problem—It’s a Thought Problem
Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:4–5:
“We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ“ The weapons we fight with are not Let’s pause right there. Strongholds?You might be thinking, “Strongholds? I don’t have strongholds. I just have 20 pounds to lose, and a Brauhms that is way to close!
But a stronghold isn’t just something obvious, sometimes it sounds like:
“Why try the same thing?”
“I always fail.”
“This is just how I am.”
Those thoughts don’t come from God.
And they definitely don’t come from you.Strongholds come from the enemy, and just because a thought shows up, doesn’t mean it gets to stay.If a thought doesn’t line up with what God says about you, you don’t need to negotiate with it.
You arrest it.Take the Thought, Hold It Up to JesusHere’s what this looks like in real life:That thought says, “You’ll never change.”
Jesus says, “I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)That thought says, “You’ve failed too many times.”
Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)That thought says, “You’re stuck.”
Jesus says, “If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.” (John 8:36)We don’t win by arguing with ourselves—we win by replacing lies with God’s TRUTH!Because whether we realize it or not, we live within our thoughts.Think about it.Thousands of thoughts have come into your mind today.Yet your heavenly Father is constantly thinking of you, day and night.
(Psalms 139:17–18)Let’s make this practical, and God focused!1. Name the lie
Write down the thought that keeps sabotaging you. Be specific.
“I always give up before I see any real change.”2. Match it with Scripture
Find one verse that directly contradicts that lie.
Keep it on your phone. Tape it to your mirror. Put it where the lie usually shows up.3. Say it out loud
There is power in speaking truth. Jesus did it. You can too.4. Change one small behavior
Not everything. Just one thing.
Walk 10 minutes. Drink water. Go to bed earlier.
Obedience to the Holy Spirit beats willpower every single time.5. Invite God into the process, not just the outcome
Don’t ask God to bless your willpower—ask Him to renew your mind.
That’s where the real change starts (Romans 12:2).Final EncouragementYou are not weak because you struggle.
You are not broken because you’ve tried before.
And you are not alone in this fight.Jesus is closer that your next breath, He loves getting involved in your hopes and dreams!God has already given you the weapons—you and I just have to use them!This year, don’t just set a goal.
Set a guard over your thoughts.And remember: the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is more than capable of helping you overcome a thought that says, “Nice try.”Praise his name right now, because with our awesome God…..“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Phil. 4:13