15 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 15 inspiring Bible verses about goals and dreams.
Then, we’ll talk about how to avoid turning goals into idols in our lives. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you follow God as you pursue your dreams.
Bible Verses About Goals and Dreams
Here are some insights from God about goals and dreams.
15 Bible Verses About Goals and Dreams
1. Philippians 3:13-14 ESV
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.
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
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to 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
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
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
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
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.
More Bible Verses About Goals and Dreams
These ten Bible verses about goals and dreams are self-explanatory. Turn to them as you pursue God’s plans for your life.
6. Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
7. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
8. Luke 10:27
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
9. Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
10. Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
11. 2 Chronicles 15:7
But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.
12. Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
13. Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
14. Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
15. Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
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.
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.
Proverbs 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.
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.
I now invite you to explore our devotional books and library of free eBooks as you seek God in setting goals.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Connect With God
God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment. Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us. I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here! 
