Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

Setting Goals

By Katie Sweeting January 3, 2019 Devotion

At the beginning of a new year I often set goals for the year. I started doing this many years ago, and I find it a helpful discipline. Looking back at my goals for 2010, I divided them into these categories: Career; Writing; Health; Family; Financial; Spiritual; Emotional. I set goals such as exercising 5 times a week, or going out with my husband once a week; saving a set amount of money, or reading a book for pleasure twice a month. My spiritual goals include a daily devotional time, and involvement in various ministries at church.

When I was involved in campus ministry, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, we set SMART goals:

Setting goals can be very helpful, as long as you follow these principles. Goals need to be specific – instead of setting a goal to lose weight, set a goal to do cardio exercise 5 times a week and stop drinking soda (for example). The goal should be specific and measurable, but also attainable. If I’m writing once a week, it will be difficult to set a goal of finishing the novel I’m working on in 6 months!

While I’m a big proponent of setting goals, the process should be bathed in prayer, led by the Holy Spirit, and flexible. Taking a day to reflect, pray, and meditate on God’s Word is the best way for me to set goals. At the end of that day I put pen to paper and write down my goals — not before I have spent time seeking God.

Scripture has much to instruct us about making plans, setting goals. These relevant verses can guide us.

I’d love to hear from you about your goal-setting process.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.  Proverbs 16:9

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.  Proverbs 16:3

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.  Proverbs 19:21

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Proverbs 3:6

 

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