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100 Resolutions for the Christian Athlete
100 possible resolutions for the Christian athlete to consider for the new year
Brian Smith
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The New Year is upon us and once again comes with the hopeful expectation that we will be better than we were last year. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunities for us to identify how we want to live the next season of our life with greater intentionality than the last.
This probably comes easier for athletes than NARPs (Non-Athletic Regular People), as there is a rhythm of goal setting, expectations, and fresh starts built within our schedules. With that being said, here are 100 possible resolutions for the Christian athlete to consider for the new year.
I resolve to grow in my leadership ability within the context of sport
I resolve to get involved in a campus ministry and/or local church
I resolve to follow people on social media who help my walk with God
I resolve to respect my coach even if he may not have earned it
I resolve to take time to soak in the moments that sports provide
I resolve to find contentment in Christ and not what sports bring
I resolve to share the gospel with at least one teammate
I resolve to memorize my testimony
I resolve to share my testimony at a local church or youth event
I resolve to glorify God through how I practice
I resolve to glorify God through how I compete
I resolve to pray during competition
I resolve to pray after competition
I resolve to pray for my rival
I resolve to think about God more than my sport
I resolve to read the bible more than I read my playbook
I resolve to have a purpose and plan for how I will read the bible
I resolve to take on a leadership role on my team
I resolve to start a team bible study
I resolve to work on bringing God into my sport
I resolve to figure out if God actually cares about sports
I resolve to make a better effort in school
I resolve to stop yelling at the referees when they make bad calls
I resolve to pursue purity in my relationships
I resolve to be slow to speak and quick to listen with my teammates
I resolve to play the first game of the season as hard as the last game
I resolve to consider going on a summer opportunity with AIA
I resolve to start attending a local church
I resolve to use whatever role I play on the team to make the team better
I resolve to not show favoritism to starters over those who ride the bench
I resolve to engage minority athletes on my team more frequently
I resolve to ask my coaches what I can do to take it to the next level
I resolve to set God sized goals for my sport
I resolve to honor God with my language on and off the field of play
I resolve to not let my sport become an idol
I resolve not to gossip about my teammates and coaches
I resolve to memorize more scripture
I resolve to forgive teammates who have wronged me
I resolve to ask for forgiveness for the teammates I have wronged
I resolve to be refined by adversity, not defined by it
I resolve to put the team first and my needs second
I resolve not to take the Bible out of context to serve my own needs
I resolve to let coaches handle the refs
I resolve to strive for excellence every time I play/practice my sport
I resolve to play with the intensity and passion and confidence of someone who anticipates victory while still being able to process defeat with dignity and depth for having faced the test—regardless of the final outcome
I resolve to pursue winning on the scoreboard without allowing that to be the sole measuring instrument of my success
I resolve to grow and become more of what God intended me to be
I resolve to practice extraordinary sportsmanship
I resolve to be more disciplined
I resolve to become a champion of praise
I resolve to own up to my mistakes on and off the field
I resolve to tithe some of my per diem money to the local church
I resolve to be more patient with others in the locker room
I resolve to give 100% both publicly and privately because God is my Ao1
I resolve to celebrate my teammates success
I resolve to see competition and sport as a gift
I resolve to not take any shortcuts in my sport
I resolve to compete hard even if the outcome of the game is decided
I resolve to not let my team’s record determine effect my focus and intensity
I resolve not to use God as a lucky rabbit’s foot
I resolve to not take myself too seriously
I resolve to fight through any suffering I experience with courage
I resolve to prioritize my character over winning
I resolve to practice what I preach
I resolve to prioritize sleep over Netflix
I resolve to have the music I listen to reflect the principles I stand for
I resolve to maximize my strengths
I resolve to write a handwritten letter to someone who has impacted my life
I resolve to read a book not assigned by one of my classes
I resolve to take a freshman out for coffee/meal
I resolve to picking five of these resolutions and applying them in the new year
challenge yourself
choose five resolutions to apply in the new year
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