The Lenten season is a time of reflection, sacrifice, and spiritual growth, lasting for 40 days before Easter Sunday.

During this time, Christians often make Lenten resolutions. It may involve giving up bad habits or adopting new spiritual practices.

However, like ew Year's resolutions, it can be challenging to stay committed to these goals for the entire season. 

According to the Catholic in Recovery, as for New Year's resolutions, people often fail to keep them because they choose unfeasible goals. Another reason may be the resolutions are vague ones that are hard to measure.

They may also make resolutions without any real desire to change, but the reason why people may be better at keeping their Lenten resolutions is that it has a spiritual aspect— God.

Regardless of the resolution's nature, it is essential to stay motivated and committed to achieving it.

This article will provide strategies for Christians to stay committed to their Lenten resolutions and make the most of the season.

Recognizing Temptations

If you were considering abandoning or altering your Lenten resolution, it's crucial to acknowledge it as a form of temptation. 

Fr. Edward McIlmail believes that the season of Lent is not the time for minimalism.

He stated that the sacrifices you make during this period should be genuine and significant. He stated that it's normal to feel some discomfort or difficulty in adhering to these sacrifices.

It is because they are meant to be sacrifices that come at a cost, and is precisely why they can be effective in helping you to change.

Prayer

When you feel tempted to give up on your Lenten resolution, pray to God for the courage to persevere. Ask God to fill your heart with true consolations that surpass all others.

In your prayer, express to God that you have lived a sinful life for too long. Tell Him that this Lenten season marks the beginning of a new life of penitence.

Remember that the key to success is relying on God's help. You do not have to face Lent on your own.

To grow in holiness and obedience to God's will, you must discern what God wants for you. Moreover, you need to trust in His plan, even if it means relinquishing control.

Although accepting that you need God's help can be challenging, it is crucial for achieving sanctity.

Persistence

Continuing to pursue your goals can have long-term benefits. According to the North East Post, experts have stated that it takes approximately 21 days for a new activity to become a habit.

Meanwhile, it takes six months for it to become a regular part of your daily routine. Thus, even though the first few weeks may be challenging, you must remain persistent and patient.

Eventually, keeping to your Lenten resolution will become easier.

If you broke any of your Lenten resolutions, it's vital not to use it as an excuse to quit. Instead, forgive yourself and keep going.

As an example, even Christ fell three times while carrying his cross to Calvary. But he persevered out of love for us. Similarly, you should get back up and keep going, regardless of any setbacks.

According to the Shalom Tidings, you should take note that God does not evaluate you based on your failures. He does not judge you harshly as you do toward yourself, deeming yourself inadequate and demanding that you redo your efforts.

Instead, God's mercy is boundless. He does not expect you to perform your Lenten practices perfectly. Rather, He employs these acts of penance to aid you in developing holiness, humility, and a willingness to follow His plan.

God is aware of your imperfections and desires to assist you in becoming more perfect and more like Him.

Self-examination

After acknowledging your innate tendency towards sinfulness and imperfection, a valuable technique for maximizing the benefits of Lent involves taking responsibility for your actions. One uncomplicated approach to achieve this is to hold yourself accountable by conducting a nightly examination of yourself.

According to the Shalom Tidings, as you practice self-reflection, try to recall the events of your day in the presence of God and examine your conscience.

To evaluate your progress, you can ask yourself questions. This may range from whether you fulfilled your Lenten commitments for the day to whether you approached them with a positive attitude or a sense of duty.

Assistance

According to Genesis 2:18, it is not man’s fate to be alone. The Mystical Humanity of Christ Publishing (TMHCP) stated that this suggests that you need to have supportive people in your life. These people will be the ones who can hold you accountable and assist you in achieving your goals.

If you were struggling to adhere to your Lenten commitments, it may be beneficial to enlist the help of a trustworthy individual. Tap them to serve as your accountability partner. You can ask friends, family, or coworkers to encourage and motivate you.

Having someone to answer to can make it easier to resist temptation. For example, if you inform your siblings of your specific resolution, they will likely bother you until you comply.

According to Knight Errant, while this approach may result in annoying disagreements, it will ultimately help you stay on track.

Check-in with your accountability partner regularly. Seek their encouragement when you are feeling particularly tempted to abandon your commitments.

Writing Lenten Resolution

According to TMHCP, putting your Lenten resolutions into writing makes them more concrete and helps to reinforce your commitment to them. Seeing your goals on paper can help to solidify them in your mind and provide a visual reminder of what you are working towards.

Research shows that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them than those who do not.

So, take the time to write out your Lenten resolutions and keep them in a place where you can see them regularly.

Setting Reminders

After writing down your Lenten resolution, place the note in a spot where you will see it every day, such as your mirror or your bedside table.

Alternatively, Knight Errant stated that you can use the reminder or clock applications on your phone to create a quick note about your resolution, as we are now living in the era of smartphones.

It will serve as a daily reminder to stay on track with your goals.

Reason behind Resolution

According to TMHCP, having perspective is crucial. Engaging in a difficult task without a good reason is illogical and can result in giving up easily.

For instance, if you were tasked with pushing a boulder up a mountain without understanding the purpose of the task, you are unlikely to complete it successfully.

However, if you comprehended that the boulder is intended to block a volcano at the top of the mountain, you are more likely to be successful in pushing it to the top.

Similarly, in Lent, if you undertake a challenging practice without comprehending its motivation, you are more likely to fail.

If you offered up your fasting for a specific purpose or intention, you are more likely to succeed in accomplishing your goal.

Promise with Friends

It is often overlooked, but involving friends in your resolution can be beneficial. Knight Errant stated that by sharing the same goal or promise, you and your friends could encourage each other to stay committed every day.

Whether it is a daily exercise routine or abstaining from sweets, making it a group effort can help make it easier to accomplish.

Celebration of Achievements

Recognizing and rewarding yourself for every small success is crucial during Lent. According to the North East Post, it is worth noting that Lent lasts for 40 days, excluding Sundays, which means that the season lasts for 46 days in total.

While self-discipline is important, it's also acceptable to reward yourself every Sunday during Lent. This approach not only motivates you but also allows you to celebrate small achievements regularly.

Keeping Lenten Resolutions

According to Shalom Tidings, in the book of Matthew, Jesus discusses the appropriate attitude and approach to fasting and penance.

He warns against appearing dismal like the hypocrites who disfigure their faces to show others that they are fasting.

Instead, he advises maintaining a normal appearance and avoiding seeking attention from others. The sacrifices that you make in private and that only God can see are often the ones that cost you the most and are the most spiritually fruitful.

Therefore, it is important to refrain from complaining or seeking sympathy from others about your Lenten sacrifices, as it diminishes their spiritual value.

While it may be challenging to keep your Lenten resolutions throughout the entire 40-day season, there are strategies and tips that you can employ to stay motivated and committed to your goals.

By avoiding recognizing the temptation of breaking your resolution, praying, enlisting the help of your loved ones, and remembering the spiritual dimension of our Lenten resolutions, you can make the most of this sacred time of reflection, sacrifice, and spiritual growth.

Whether for Lent or any other resolution this year, you can strive to stay committed and make positive changes in your life.

 

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