Navigating February with Godly Goals

 Are you driving in the right direction?

My friends, I don't feel I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. All of us who are mature should think in this same way.

Philippians 3:13-15

A family road trip is different from a drive to work during rush hour. Both are very different from an auto race. Just bringing up the different experiences helps you feel the different emotions associated with them: Relaxation. Tension. Excitement. You can reduce fear and anxiety and other negative emotions just by having a plan and sticking to it. Your spiritual life is like that, too. Scripture challenges us to “lay aside every weight” (Hebrews 12:1-2) — everything that hinders progress toward cherished goals needs to go. By faith, apply the principles in God’s Word to your life.

You’ll have better focus, experience less confusion, waste less time and feel better about yourself if you have “SMART” goals. They need to be

• Specific and well-defined,
• Measurable so that you can see progress,
• Attainable but challenging to you,
• Revealed to you from God’s Word, and
• Timely.

If your goals don’t have eternal value, you need to re-evaluate your goals. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you to be what God wants you to be. Turn your goals into godly plans, then work out that plan, taking worthwhile risks. Step out in faith. What you believe will determine what you do. What you do will determine what God does in your life.