“If you repent, I will restore you.

— Jeremiah 15:19 (NIV)

It’s that time of year again. The time we all sit back and get our list of resolutions started. We feel the burden to try our last year’s resolution again. What makes us come back to that point year after year?

Repentance — it’s one of those Bible terms we shake our heads at trying to understand. Oftentimes, we feel it means we’ve failed in some way. What does it really mean? It means to realize that we’re headed in a wrong direction and decided to change our ways.

It’s a repentant heart that decides to believe Jesus Christ was sent as a sacrifice for our sin — and as we believe that, we are forgiven and receive a restored relationship with God. That is only the beginning.

A repentant heart sees the need to continue making improvements as we go through life’s journey. It feels God tugging at our heart strings to take responsibility and improve the quality of our life.

If you and I want to be blessed, we must take responsibility to care for our bodies by removing habits that can potentially destroy our health and replace them with ones that will promote longevity.

Resolutions to manage our money wisely can help us overcome the burden of financial worries. As we utilize our time better, we can receive the benefits of having a well-balanced and fulfilled life with work, family and recreation. All that’s needed to take that first step is a willing heart.

As we look at our list of changes we desire, let’s take it to God and ask for his help to achieve them. If you feel God is leading you to, enlist some outside help of a support group, life coach, friend or mentor.

Making changes will help us gain that sense of fulfillment we are looking for. With God’s help, we can take some action and find some satisfaction this new year.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, motivational speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413. Invite her to be your personal life coach or speak at your church group or event or business.