Don't Quit

by Brittney Chan

^“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Last Friday is known as National Quitters Day. The second Friday of every January is the day many people are said to give up on their New Year’s resolutions. Whether or not you’ve heard of it before, it raises an honest question: how are your goals for the new year going so far? Are you someone who carefully writes them all down, or are you like me and tend to carry them around more as good intentions than formal plans?

If you’re like most people, health goals probably made the list. Weight loss, better eating habits, more movement…maybe just “doing better” all around. And honestly, that makes sense. The start of a new year feels like a fresh opportunity for change and growth. I truly believe growth is a good thing. If there’s one thing we should desire, it’s to continue becoming the best version of who God created us to be.

But this year, one thought kept tugging at me: how do we decide which areas of our lives actually need improvement?

That question led me back to one of my favorite biblical concepts: the simple way God defines us as human beings. Scripture gives us a beautifully holistic picture through what’s often called the trichotomy of man. It’s a fancy word for a simple truth: we are made up of body, soul, and spirit, and God has a purpose for every part. (1 Thess. 5:23)

Our body is our physical, tangible being: our height, our strength, our health…and yes, even our weight. 

Our soul is our mind, will, and emotions. This is our personality, thoughts, and feelings. 

And our spirit is the part of us that communes with God, and it’s where we experience His presence and hear His voice.

The Bible teaches us about sanctification, which is the lifelong process of becoming more like Christ. Simply put, sanctification happens when our body and soul come into alignment with what God is doing in our spirit.

So stay with me for a moment.

What if, instead of making resolutions in only one area of life, we viewed growth through this whole-person lens?

Yes, we can make goals for our bodies: a healthier diet, more movement, better rest. And those are good things. Physical health is deeply connected to mental and emotional well-being.

But what about our souls? What goals are we setting for our minds, our emotions, and our inner life? How are we tending to our mental health this year? Maybe that looks like journaling regularly, creating space for a hobby that brings peace, or identifying sources of stress and learning new ways to respond to them. Caring for our minds isn’t unspiritual. It’s stewardship! (Sorry if this might sound a little too much like a therapist talking…I am a Christian OT after all. Lol)

And finally, there’s our spirit. How are we intentionally growing in our relationship with God this year? Maybe it’s committing to more time in prayer, reading His Word consistently, starting a new devotional plan, or simply responding to a quiet nudge you’ve felt from Him for a while.

So here’s my encouragement to you, friend: don’t quit.

Even if you’ve already let go of some resolutions - or you never even made them at all - God’s mercies are new every morning! This year can still be marked by growth, healing, and renewal. You don’t have to do everything at once, and you don’t have to do it perfectly. Just show up again and again, trusting that God is faithful to complete the work He has begun in every part of you. That sounds JUST like my King!