As a new year begins, many Christian leaders feel the pull to set goals, craft resolutions, and envision better versions of themselves. Yet, year after year, so many of these ambitions fall short. At their core, most New Year’s resolutions fail because they are rooted in self-reliance and willpower. Goals focus on what we can do, often neglecting the reality that we are finite, flawed, and prone to wander. However, soul health and being an effective Christian leader is not about achieving a list of accomplishments but about becoming who God created you to be.
The truth is that real and lasting transformation comes not from our strength but from abiding practices rooted in God’s power and trust in His ability to work through us. Soul health is not achieved by striving harder but by surrendering deeper. This shift from self-reliance to God-reliance is the foundation of lasting soul health. Here are five steps to guide you toward soul health in the new year.
1. Start with Surrender, Not Strategy
The world tells us to set goals, make plans, and rely on sheer determination to see them through. But the Bible reminds us, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6). Soul health and Christian leadership begins with surrendering your plans to God, trusting that His ways are higher than yours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Surrender requires a shift in mindset. Instead of asking, “What do I want to achieve this year?” ask, “Lord, what do You want for my life, my marriage, my parenting, and my leadership?” This isn’t a passive resignation but an active alignment with God’s will. Surrender invites Him to take the lead and empowers you to walk in His strength rather than your own.
When we surrender, we release the burden of trying to control outcomes. We recognize that God is the author of our lives, and His plans are for our ultimate good (Jeremiah 29:11). True soul health begins when we entrust our lives, dreams, and struggles to the One who holds everything together.
2. Build Abiding Practices, Not Fleeting Resolutions
Resolutions for Christian leaders often fail because they are rooted in willpower. Although willpower has good intentions, it is a limited resource. By mid-February, many of us are slipping back into old patterns, which results in frustration and discouragement. Instead of relying on fleeting bursts of determination, focus on establishing abiding practices and habits that flow from a deep connection with God.
Jesus taught us this principle when He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). Abiding is about remaining connected to the source of life and strength. This connection sustains us far beyond the temporary resolve of a New Year’s resolution.
A few abiding practices to utilize this year are daily prayer, scripture reading, Sabbath rest, and gratitude journaling. Consistently practicing these habits will shape your soul over time. They are not about achieving perfection rapidly but about creating space for God to work in and through you throughout your life and leadership.
3. Focus on the Inside, Not the Outside
Our culture often equates success with external accomplishments, such as weight loss, financial gains, or career advancements. While these goals may have value, soul health requires a deeper focus on the heart. God is far more concerned with who you are becoming than what you achieve.
Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” When we focus on heart transformation, the external changes follow naturally. Instead of striving for external results, reflect on these questions:
- Am I growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and the other fruits of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Am I more aligned with God’s will today than I was yesterday?
- Am I cultivating humility and dependence on God in all areas of my life?
By prioritizing internal growth, you allow God to shape your character and guide your actions. External goals may or may not materialize, but the transformation of your soul will have eternal significance.
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4. Trust in God’s Power, Not Your Own
The root of many failed resolutions is misplaced trust. We often believe that success depends on our effort, discipline, and ingenuity. But as believers, we know that our strength is limited, while God’s power is limitless.
Paul writes, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Notice that the emphasis is not on Paul’s ability but on Christ’s strength. When you rely on God’s power, you are no longer bound by your limitations.
Practically, this means inviting God into every area of your life. For example, instead of trying to overcome lousy leadership habits alone, pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength in your struggles. In your goals, instead of striving for personal success, seek to glorify God in all you do. In your failures, instead of giving up when you fall short, lean on God’s grace and trust Him to carry you forward.
Trusting in God’s power means partnering with Him. Your role is to obey and take small, faithful steps, and God’s role is to bring about the transformation you cannot achieve on your own.
5. Live in Community, Not Isolation
Soul health is not a solo journey. The American culture baits us to pride ourselves in our independence. However, God designed us to grow and thrive in community. He invites us to embrace dependence on him and interdependence on others. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Spiritual growth is accelerated when you walk alongside others who encourage, challenge, and support you. Christian leadership development can not be accomplished alone; it requires close friends who can love you on your transformational journey. Living in community might look like joining a small group or Bible study, finding a mentor who is mature in faith to guide you and hold you accountable, or, lastly, using your gifts to bless others by serving people in your community.
Community provides both encouragement and accountability, which are essential for Christian leadership development. It reminds you that you are not alone in your journey and that God often works through His people to strengthen and refine us. To learn more about the power of community, check out a previous article, “Growing With Community: 4 Benefits of Small Groups within a Christian Leadership Program.”
Discover Soul Health This Year
The new year is an opportunity to reset and refocus, but the path to true soul health is not paved with self-made resolutions. Instead, it begins with surrender, continues with abiding practices, prioritizes heart transformation, leans on Jesus' power, and flourishes in an authentic community.
As you enter this year, remember that the goal is not perfection but connection. Trust that God is at work in you, shaping you into the image of Christ. Let go of striving and embrace abiding. In doing so, your soul will be nourished, your faith strengthened, and your life will become a reflection of God’s glory.
If you resonate with this article and desire to embrace soul care this year, consider joining Cultivate Leadership Institute (CLI) today. CLI exists to develop the purpose and passion for leadership that God has placed in each individual. CLI intentionally provides a space for like-minded individuals to develop together into the leaders God created them to be. Click here to learn more about how you can grow in your soul health and improve your leadership skills through CLI’s leadership training program.
