On New Year’s Day, I always find myself filled with anticipation of good things. This is true regardless of my circumstances. Whether my immediate situation is good or bad, turning the calendar page feels hopeful. The old is done, the new has begun.

This is why I write resolutions for the new year. I start with a blank page and determine what I’d like to accomplish in the next trip around the sun. I begin the year with the end in mind.

End is an interesting word. It means both the last item in a series and the purpose or result you want to achieve. When I write resolutions, I combine both senses of the word. The end of a year is Dec. 31. What do I hope to accomplish by then? My resolutions are means to that end.

The Bible never assumes the life of faith will be smooth and easy. If anything, it assumes the opposite.

When we resolve to do this or that, we assume we have control over our future. This is true to a degree. We can make plans, and we can follow through on those plans. Indeed, those who fail to plan, plan to fail.

On the other hand, we can’t exercise meticulous control over our lives. A Yiddish proverb says, “Humans plan, God laughs.” God may laugh, but we’re not as amused when things don’t go according to our plans.

How we respond in those circumstances speaks volumes about our faith. Hebrews 12:1–2 says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The Bible never assumes the life of faith will be smooth and easy. If anything, it assumes the opposite: Life is difficult, requiring endurance, as well as indifference to pain and opposition.

This doesn’t mean we need to go looking for suffering, however. If life is going well for you, enjoy it! More than that, spread the blessings around to others who need them.

But don’t be surprised if suffering comes looking for you. When that happens, keep in mind that life’s difficulties never have the final word. They’re not the end, in either sense of the word.

Instead, for the Christian, the end is always joy. It was “for the joy” that Christ endured the Cross, after all. If we fix our eyes on Him, we’ll live daily for the joy, too.