Things To Do Before the End of the Year

Some people can remember their elementary school teacher asking them to erase the chalkboard at the end of the day. The teacher always wanted to have a clean board to write on the next day.

Some people like to go into a new year with a clean slate. There are several things that a person can do to have a fresh start at the beginning of a new year.

Rid Yourself of Unforgiveness

Do not take unforgiveness into the new year. Set yourself and others free by forgiving anyone who has hurt you with their words or deeds.

Also, forgive yourself for hurting others with what you have done to them. There is freedom in forgiveness. Therefore, wipe all unforgiveness from your life, and start the new year with a clean slate.

There are many Bible verses about forgiveness. That shows how important forgiveness is to God.

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)

“Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25)

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Repair Broken Relationships

Do not take any broken relationships into the new year. If you have a broken relationship with any family member, friend, or co-worker, make amends so all of you can go into the new year with a peaceful heart.

If there is a problem within any relationship, the Bible advises people to reason together to get things straight. God wants us to have a relationship with Him and with others.

“Come now, and let us reason together.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Make Restitutions Instead of Resolutions

Surely, you do not have to wait until a new year to make resolutions to do better, even though most people use the new year to list what they want to change.

It is so much better to make restitutions than to make resolutions that are usually broken soon after they are made. Get things straight before you go into the new year.

Honor Your Vows

It is better to honor your vows than to go into the new year with unfulfilled vows you have made to others. Keep all promises you have made. Do what you said you would do. Honor your contracts, debts, and obligations.

You will feel much better if you do not go into a new year with promises made but not kept. The people you made those promises to will appreciate it if you kept them.

“It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.” (Ecclesiastes 5:5)

Take Inventory

Before going into a new year, take inventory and reflect on the major things that happened to you during the current year. That means evaluating what went right as well as what went wrong. Before you set goals and establish priorities for the new year, it would be much better to take inventory of your life as it stands now. Then you will have a better idea about what to do in the upcoming year.

Surely, you do not have to wait until a new year comes in to begin making adjustments. You can make changes at any time during the year, but transitioning at the start of a new year is an opportune time.

Make a Fresh Start with a Clean Heart

Going into the new year with a clean slate also means going into it with a clean heart. Pray the prayer that David prayed:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Everyone can go into the new year with a clean slate if they are willing to follow the suggestions above.

About the Author

Rev. Margaret Minnicks is an ordained Minister of Christian Education and Bible teacher. She writes Bible lessons and motivational articles.