Failing to Begin...Again

I'm sure that my struggle is not unlike many others: Need to make a change, think through what needs to be done, look at the potential challenges, pray, take some action, experience a little success...make an exception, make an excuse, feel disappointed, give up...sound familiar to anyone else? This has been my M.O. for many years. And because of that, I have failed to begin over and over and over again. I feel defeated even before I begin. It doesn't really matter what it is either: a new weight loss plan, a new teaching strategy, a new habit, a new way of doing something. For some reason (that I'm trying to understand), I start well, but finish poorly. So, I live in a perpetual state of feeling STUCK. Now I know that the Bible teaches that God's mercies are new every morning and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Those two promises should be enough to spur me on, but unfortunately, something always gets in the way...ME. I am coming to a realization that my struggle must be spiritual and not physical in nature; this tug-of-war between who is in control and who I am trusting in. Self-reliance is a quality that is honored in our society, but in God's plan, we are to surrender to Him and allow Him to work through us. It's not giving up to yourself; it's givng up to God and allowing Him to give you what you need to change. Maybe I keep failing in my efforts to change because I am relying too much on myself. I will fail because I am human and fallible; God never fails because He is perfect and doesn't make mistakes. So, maybe it's not the plan, the goal, or the desire that needs altering. Maybe it's simply who I am leaning on to accomplish my plan, goal, or desire. I don't have a good track record, but God does. I act with selfish motives, but God doesn't. I think I am strong enough, but God is always strong. With God, we will not fail and we can begin again as His Word promises, no matter how many times we've failed. This I am understanding more clearly and am so thankful for...simply speaking.