5 Inspiring Bible Verses About Goals and Dreams
Most of us know we’re supposed to set goals in life. We set goals about losing weight, making money, and even honoring God through our jobs. But what does the Bible say about goals? Let’s look at five inspiring Bible verses about goals and dreams. Then, we’ll talk about how to avoid turning goals into idols in our lives.
Bible Verses About Goals and Dreams
1. Philippians 3:8 NASB
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”
This might seem like a surprising place to start our conversation about goals; however, it is an important place to start. When you make it your primary goal to know Christ more deeply, every other part of your life will fall into place.
2. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
When we make up our minds to do everything for the glory of God, God fulfills his purpose in our lives.
What is your highest goal?
Make it your goal to glorify God, and he will fill you with a sense of purpose and joy.
3. Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB
“Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.”
We are called to cast off sin and run the race of faith with endurance. Make it your goal to honor God with your actions, words, and attitudes. Don’t give up.
4. Psalm 37:4 ESV
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
God calls us to put our delight in him. When we learn to turn to him as our source of joy and delight, he changes our hearts so that our desires align with his desires.
5. John 6:27 ESV
“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.”
Jesus reminds us that our greatest goal should be to do God’s work, which is the work that endures for eternity. When we commit to living lives spent loving others and helping them grow in Christ, God blesses the work of our hands. Furthermore, this work lasts for eternity.
Let’s Apply These Bible Verses About Goals and Dreams to Our Lives
Let’s talk about the specific goals we set in our lives: goals like losing ten pounds or launching a new business.
How can we make sure we are following God in these plans?
One way to stay in line with God is to be sure we don’t turn these specific goals into idols.
How to Tell Whether Your Goal Has Turned to an Idol:
Here are just a few indicators that the goal you’re chasing might just be an idol:
1. You think about it in an almost constant undercurrent of subconscious thought.
2. You sacrifice significant amounts of time with the people you love in your pursuit of your goal.
3. The people you love become disgruntled with the pursuit of your goal.
4. You begin to feel angry, anxious, or stressed when it seems it’s taking too long or you’re being hindered in some way.
5. You feel like your heart’s been torn in two when you encounter a major setback.
6. Your goal is mostly about you and makes little positive impact on the people in your life.
7. Your goal has very little to do with loving God or loving other people.
Bible Verses About Goals and Balance:
In the process of learning how to set goals in life, I’ve made idols of all sorts of goals. What starts as a God-given incentive to join him in what he is doing becomes a self-centered imperative to make much of my own life.
What are we to do when we realize we’ve turned our goals to idols that are sucking the energy, spark, and focus from our lives? #goals #idols #encounteringGod Share on XProverbs 16:3 reminds us to commit our ways to the Lord and let him establish our steps.
Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that we can make our plans, but God will determine our steps.
We are called to remember these words as we set goals. God asks us to hold our goals loosely.
Casting down idolatrous goals doesn’t mean we stop setting goals altogether. God is a God of order, organization, and kingdom purposes. Setting goals is healthy and reasonable. However, we are called to stay in step with God’s Spirit. Press close to him in a relationship, and your goals will flow from a heart of love. God will direct your steps.
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