Christian Setting Goals

Being a Christian and setting goals for yourself is not a sin nor a bad thing . The Bible encourages us to plan and set goals for ourselves. However, it’s important to set goals according to God’s will.

Knowing God’s will only comes by spending time with Him (reading His word, praying, fasting and etc).

Biblical Scriptures on Setting Goals
Here are 3 Biblical scriptures encouraging planning and setting goals:

1. “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:2-3).
2. Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness. (Proverbs 13:16).
3. Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5).

Setting Goals That are in Alignment to God’s Will

It’s important to understand that when setting goals, we must set goals according to the will of God for our lives. God has a plan just for you and only His spirit can reveal to you what those plans are. God can reveal those plans to you while reading His Word, prayer, placing a desire within your heart and etc.

On the flip side of the coin, we cannot expect God to bless our goals if they’re not in alignment to His will. It’s imperative to understand that only when our minds are on Christ can we discern the proper course for our lives and know what to set goals for.

Trust in God’s Abilities; Not Your Own

Relying on our own abilities to make things happen is starting off on the wrong track. God will not share His glory with anyone; boosting on your own abilities to get things accomplish is not wise. God shows us in His word to trust in Him and not ourselves.

It is better to trust in God than to put our trust in man – including ourselves (Psalm 118: 8). “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence” (Jeremiah 17: 7). “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you” (Psalm 37: 5).

Nowhere in the 3 scriptures provided nor in God’s word does it tells us to trust in our selves; it directs us to trust in God for everything. God wouldn’t be God if we didn’t need Him (if we could do everything on our own); but being that we do need Him, we need to trust Him.
While setting goals, make a decision to trust in the Lord to bring it into manifestation; trust Him and wait on Him while actively doing your part in preparation for the harvest.

Goals Are Subject to Change by the Leadership of the Holy Spirit

In the mist of all our planning and goal setting, we must understand that our goals are subject to change. Meaning, we shouldn’t hold tightly to plans and goals that we’re disobedient or “deaf” to the voice and instruction of the Holy Spirit.
Often times during our walk with God, goals need to be adjusted. I remember earlier this year (2009) one of my goals had to be adjusted. It wasn’t easy, but it’s better to be obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit than to experience the affects of being disobedient.

Start Setting Goals for Yourself

I encourage you to set aside some time and think about where you see yourself a month, 2 months or even a year from now. Where is it you want to be spiritually, financially, socially and so on?

Understand that it’s ok to be a Christian and set goals for yourself ; the bible encourages it. However, remember to set goals that are in alignment to God’s will.
Trust in the Lord’s abilities and not your own and never keep too tight to your goals that you’re unwilling to be lead by the Holy Spirit – even if it goes in the opposite direction of your plans and goals.

In closing, I ask you: what are your goals? What is it you want to have accomplished? Could it be surrendering your life to Christ , establishing a relationship with God, getting a promotion at work, getting out of debt or spending more time with the family?

Whatever goals you have, go ahead and write those things down. Though it tarries, wait for it to manifest because it will surely come to pass (Habakkuk 2:2-3).

Be blessed in Jesus name.