A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” –Colin Powell

It’s a good thing I don’t make new years resolutions because by now they would have all failed. According to statistics, 80% fail in the first week! I don’t choose to make them because I know that changes in our lives take time and they are a process. When we make resolutions, what we are really doing is desiring to change our entire life in a few weeks! It’s truly impossible. We set out to make major changes and when we realize those changes aren’t happening we get discouraged and those resolutions go down the drain. We might want to lose 50 lbs but when we have only lost a pound in a week or two we began to count the cost and give up.

Last year I had a tumor that I knew needed removed. It was November of the previous year when I discovered it. The first thoughts I had were; “oh no, not another tumor, I have already had 3 removed. I have had 13 surgeries, surely the Lord isn’t going to require a 14th? Is it cancer? Where do I go? Which doctor should I go to, I have seen 45? ” My thoughts were out of control and totally unproductive. I had reached a place where I knew I had to deal with it and letting the devil use my mind like a race track was not the answer.

I poured my heart out to the Lord. I was seeking a simple answer. I needed direction in where to go. I literally prayed for 2 months before I felt confident in my decision. That might seem like a long time but as things unfolded I could see why. The doctor I chose to see had just become affiliated with the hospital I desired to go to. When I first discovered the tumor, she had not been. I could see the hand of God leading me and I felt confident going forward.

I went to see the doctor in January she ordered tests. When the results came back she referred me to a surgeon. The surgeon did a biopsy which came back inconclusive. What? It was now the end of February and I still had my tumor and still didn’t know if it was cancer. The surgeon referred me to a cancer surgeon due to the uncertainty. It was now March. The new surgeon made a decision to remove the tumor immediately. Four months had passed and I was exhausted praying about it. I had the tumor successfully removed, surgery number 14 was now complete! The worst trial was yet to come as I waited anxiously for several weeks for the pathology reports. Finally they came back cancer free. Oh my, what a trying time it was. No matter how badly I wanted it to end quickly, i had to pay the price and go through a lengthy process.

When we make resolutions we aren’t willing to pay the price and make real changes. Change is hard and takes incredible resolve to follow through. As I go through another year of trials, I want to increase my resolve to make good positive  changes that I’m willing to pay the price for. I’m not going to make a resolution I know I can’t keep, just a greater determination  in my heart to not give up on a goal.