5 Commitments to Stand Firm in 2022

by Annie Yorty ©2021

Day one of 2021 was. . . well. . . eventful. So is day 366. And most of the days in between. Can I get an “amen”? That’s why I’m not writing about resolutions. Instead, consider the following 5 commitments to stand firm in 2022.

January 1, 2021 found me in the emergency department at the hospital getting three out of four appendages x-rayed after a misstep while putting away Christmas decorations. Lesson learned? Keep the decorations out until spring! 😊 Seriously, though nothing was broken, I was hurting well into February from my klutziness.

December 31 finds my family hunkered down at home with sickness. This isn’t how I imagined ringing in a new year. But, as we know, life rarely goes according to plan.

To Resolve or Not to Resolve?

I’ve never been big on new year’s resolutions. But I do ask God at the beginning of each year for a verse or spiritual concept to guide me.

Stand Firm in 2022

These words keep coming to mind, reminding me of a verse I taught kids at Good News Camp last summer.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock (Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT).

Since life is so unpredictable, I’ve turned some of the usual new year’s resolutions into five commitments to stand firm in 2022.

1. Eat right

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35 NLT).

Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1-2) The Bible contains the wisdom of Jesus. With a steady intake of God’s word as our sustenance, we will stand firm through the twists and turns coming in 2022.

2. Exercise

Exercise prevents weak and shaky muscles. Have you ever considered that faith is like a muscle?

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works (James 2:26 NLT).

This verse tells us that faith should be active and moving, not atrophied or dead. We exercise and strengthen our faith muscle by simply obeying God. Commit to quick and full obedience to God’s commands and our faith will stand firm under the pressure of 2022.

3. Clean out closets

I’ve moved often and have cleaned out a lot of houses over the years. Whenever I dig into a messy closet, I always find junk I don’t need. Why would I waste such precious space? In the same way, aren’t we prone to waste space in our hearts with junk from the past?

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:13b-14 NLT).

Events from the past may instruct us but should not control our future. Following Paul’s advice to look ahead will give a profound sense of freedom in 2022.

4. Rest more

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken (Psalm 62:1-2 NLT).

From the beginning of time, God commanded us to spend time at rest. But rest does not mean simply ceasing from work to fill your time and mind with entertainment. It means pausing and allowing God to fill the quiet, empty space with His refreshment. It’s a prerequisite for experiencing peace in 2022.

5. Practice kindness

Conventional wisdom tells us to cut loose the so-called toxic people in our lives. I would argue, however, that God allows such individuals in our lives to sand off our own rough edges of sin.

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32 NLT).

We practice kindness and forgiveness toward others because we know God has demonstrated tremendous patience and forgiveness toward us. In circular fashion, however, extending forbearance toward those who may not seem to deserve it will also increase our humble awareness of our own daily shortcomings and need for God’s grace in 2022.

Anchor to Jesus

These 5 commitments to stand firm in 2022 require us to anchor to the unshakeable Rock, Jesus Christ.

Jesus will be trustworthy and true

Through all the days of 2022.

May we all find peace in His firm foundation throughout the joys and trials of the upcoming year. If you would like prayer for your specific needs, please send me a message at AnnieYorty@gmail.com. It would be my privilege to pray for you.

Join the conversation:

What is your favorite “stand firm” Bible verse?

I welcome your comments!