You can stop reacting to life and start living it with God’s wisdom …

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The New Year often inspires reflection, but how many of us truly take the time to direct our lives with intention rather than being swept along by circumstances? Many live as if they’re passengers on a train they didn’t choose, rushing to destinations they never meant to visit. They respond to crises, react to demands, and chase after fleeting comforts, rarely pausing to ask, “Am I living as God calls me to live?”

This reactionary lifestyle is a far cry from the vision scripture provides. The Bible challenges us to be deliberate, purposeful, and rooted in the wisdom of God’s Word. Proverbs 29:18 reminds us, “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.” Without God’s direction, life becomes chaotic and aimless. And Proverbs 19:3 offers a sobering reflection on the cost of this approach: “People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.” Living reactively not only leads to disorder but often causes us to blame God for the very messes we create by ignoring His wisdom.

Resolutions have fallen out of favor in our culture, mocked as futile attempts at self-improvement. Yet, when informed by scripture, resolutions can be a profound act of worship. Psalm 90:12 pleads, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” A well-thought-out resolution isn’t about willpower, it’s about aligning your life with God’s purposes.

Instead of resolving to lose weight or earn more money, what if this year you resolved to be more prayerful, to listen more carefully to God’s voice, to align your daily decisions with His will?

MOVING FROM REACTION TO INTENTION
How do we shift from reacting to life to living it intentionally? Here are three biblical principles to guide us:

1. Seek God’s wisdom daily. James 1:5a promises, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you …” Start each day by asking for His guidance. Let your to-do list reflect not just what’s urgent, but what’s important to God.

2. Cultivate prayerful awareness. Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us to pray about everything and experience God’s peace. Regular, focused prayer enables us to respond to life’s challenges with faith rather than fear.

3. Live with eternity in view.
Colossians 3:2 urges, “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Living reactively often stems from focusing too much on temporary concerns. Let eternity shape your priorities and calm your anxieties.

Living with intention doesn’t mean controlling every outcome, it means surrendering control to the One who knows the end from the beginning. It means living thoughtfully, prayerfully, and scripturally, refusing to let life’s demands pull you off course.

So this year, don’t just react to life, live it — with purpose, wisdom, and faith. You might be surprised at how transformative even one prayerfully considered resolution can be when it’s rooted in God’s direction.

Scotty