Every human on planet earth, irrespective of race, age and gender has one or more goals that they want to achieve in this life before they die. Goal setting is a path that leads us to success, and failure to set goals and strive to achieve them is an automatic card to failing in life. Goal setting is part of human engagement, but what matters the most when setting goals is that we have the understanding that it is only God that holds our future, so our goals ought to align with his plans and purpose for us. The Bible encourages us to set goals, while setting those goals it should be set through the undiluted wisdom of God. This means that for every plan we make, we must first table it to God before executing it. God wants the best for us, he wants us to have a great future, and the only way to access this great future is by setting purposeful and aligning goals. Setting goals through the counsel of God helps us to know our purpose and walk on the right path. Goal setting makes navigating through life easy. Without goals, our brains and future will be stacked.
However, for us to set purposeful goals as Christians, there are certain principles that must be applied. When we apply these scriptural principles in our goal setting, then our goals becomes easily achievable. But, what are some of these scriptural principles? Let’s find out below;
Faith: [Matthew 21:22] Sometimes, our future goals may seem unachievable because of certain limitations like finance, time frame, support and confusion. This is why we must possess and apply faith when setting these goals. It is important to have an unmovable faith in God, knowing that he is a God of all impossibilities and with him every goal is achievable. When setting our goals, let us cultivate a mindset that he is with us in every step of the way. This is the number one principle that must be applied when setting goals, as we all know that “without faith it is impossible to walk with God”.
Humility: [James 4:6] Humility is the second scriptural principle on our list. When we approach God with our set goals, let us meet him with a heart of humility. It is unwise to feel entitled that our goals ought to work out smoothly as planned, without any interference. Let us keep in mind that God’s plans for us will always prevail over ours.
Perseverance: [James 1:2-4] When we set out on the the journey to achieve our goals, we will definitely encounter certain setbacks, they might be major or minor obstacles. During these tough times, we need to persevere. Never giving up on our goals, faith and on God.
Commitment: [2 Timothy 4:7] We need to be committed in carrying out the goals that we aim to achieve, every step that need to be taken should be taken without any form of unwillingness. No iota of slackness should be found in us during this journey of progress.
Diligence: [Proverbs 13:4] Goals are not things that we achieve by mere thinking and wishing. When we draft out these goals, diligence must be applied in bringing them to manifestation. We must be diligent in seeking God for direction.
And lastly, our goals ought to be in alignment with God’s will and purpose for us. These goals should not be set away from God’s purpose. The fulfillment of these goals should bring glory and honor to God, and at the same time expand his kingdom. When we apply the afore mentioned principles, there is no mountain before us that will be insurmountable.
SEE ALSO: 41 Important Bible Verses About Clarity And Direction
What Does The Bible Say About Goal Setting?
The Bible is clear on goal settings, it made us to understand that every goals we aim to achieve must align with the plans that God has for us. As humans, it is relatively easy to set goals, but making those goals honor God is more challenging, as the adamic nature will always want to counter God’s purpose for us. However, the Bible gave us full support on goal setting. God detest idleness and as such he wants us to be positively busy, doing things that will bring more glory and honor to his name.
Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty”. This scripture underscores the necessity of setting goals. Living idly is just a sure ticket that will eventually lead us to poverty, so let us get purposefully busy.
Proverbs 24:27 “Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house”. Another scripture enlightening on the need to set out goals. The Bible fully supports that we set goals for ourselves and not live like we have no hope and aim. In setting goals, we will be able to give ourselves the good and godly life that we deserve.
Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps”. Now this scripture brings us back to the need for alignment. This verse highlights that the thoughts and plans of God supersedes our own plans. Below are more Bible verse that teach about goal settings;
Bible Verses About Goal Setting
- Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3
- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11
- Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalms 37:4
- And the Lord answered me: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. – Habakkuk 2:2
- I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
- Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. – James 4:15
- The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5
- Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. – Colossians 3:23-24
- Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. – 1 Corinthians 9:24
- For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7
- Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God. – Romans 12:2
- But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33
- Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. – Proverbs 15:22
- Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. – Isaiah 54:2
- Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. – Proverbs 4:25
- Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. – Ephesians 3:20
- Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7
- For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? – Luke 14:28
- Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands. – Psalms 90:17
- But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. – Matthew 19:26
- Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
- I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:14
- Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. – Psalm 37:5
- And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it. – Isaiah 30:21
- And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9
- And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
- For we walk by faith, not by sight. – 2 Corinthians 5:7
- The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. – Proverbs 12:15
- Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14
- But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. – 2 Chronicles 15:7
- Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4
- Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. – Proverbs 24:27
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
- Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:8
- Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal. – John 6:27
- Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. – John 4:34
- For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. – Ecclesiastes 5:3
- But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. – 2 Peter 3:18
- Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. – Proverbs 29:18
- The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9
- And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. – Matthew 21:22
- Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. – Proverbs 24:27
- May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! – Psalm 20:4
