ALIGNING YOUR GOALS WITH GOD’S WILL

Are you aligning your goals with God’s will for you, or do you just go out, chase those dreams and then try to fit God into them?

Yeah, I get it. 

I used to go through life, doing what I wanted, trying to fit God in (on occasion) and then wonder why things were always so hard or why I never felt fulfilled.

When you try to live your life and accomplish your goals without seeking God first, you’re forging a far more difficult path for your life. One that will leave you feeling empty. (But you probably already know that!)

Because the truth is, His Will be done. 

You can either choose to accept it or choose your own way, struggling with every painstaking step and never really feeling like your life is complete but rather as if something is always missing.

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Seek God first

Over the last few years, I’ve become a productivity junkie. 

If there’s an article or book to read, I’m devouring it. A new podcast out, you can bet I’m listening!

For the first time in my life, I’ve learned how to live intentionally and schedule my day so that I’m completely goal-oriented.

But before that, no matter how hard I worked, I still felt like there was something missing in my life. Like I wasn’t living up to what I was capable of.

You too?

The problem was, I had never asked God for His guidance in setting goals that align with His will for me.

In fact, up until recently, all the goals I’ve ever set for myself have been to serve a selfish purpose. A purpose that only benefited me.

Sound familiar?

It took me years to realize it, but I’ve finally learned it’s not at all how I want to live. 

Yes, I want to succeed, but, not according to my earthly measurements, but rather God’s.

And since you are here, I imagine you’re feeling a little empty right now too.

Free Goal Crushing Action Plan

His Plan

His Plan

Are you ready for some tough love? 

It’s not about you…at all!

I know, I know. It’s a hard one to take in, but it’s the truth.

God created you for a specific purpose to fulfill in His kingdom. One that no one else can perform, and it was planned before you were even born.

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [a]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 AMPC

Yet, how often do you try to go it alone, seeking what you want in life rather than what God planned right from the beginning?

When you look at your future and everything you’d like to accomplish, you see it from an earthly perspective. You don’t know the whole story.

But God does.

You have no idea what tomorrow brings, yet you still try to set your goals and step them out on your own, without His guidance. 

It seems pretty crazy, right?

 Check out 15 Best Prayer Journals to Strengthen Your Prayer Life.

Consider this for a moment:

When you decide to take a trip, what’s the first thing you do? 

I imagine you go right to your computer or pull out your smartphone. 

You read reviews and seek advice about the best places to go from people who’ve been there. Then you pull up a map to find the best route.

When you consider the amount of time you spend researching something as simple as a family vacation, shouldn’t fulfilling the very purpose God created you for, require some counsel as well?

Just ask

It’s so incredibly freeing to know that when you go to God before stepping out and ask for His guidance, you can trust that He will show you the way.

Every. Single. Time! 

It requires faith in what He promises you, and boy oh boy, you will no doubt, need some patience. (Something I must remind myself of often.)

Don’t be discouraged if the answers come slowly. The delay may just be God’s way of working His will in your life. The Life Application Study Bible NLT

Although there may be times that you get your answers immediately, most of the time it will require some time to prepare you for what you’re asking for.

There have been many times in my life that I’ve asked God to deliver me from something or to quickly fast forward to what I’m praying for, certain that I was ready for these big goals I’ve been asking of HIm. 

In hindsight, I can see that I wasn’t ready for what I was asking. In fact, I still had so much to learn.

Because I’ve been through this many times, I can now confidently say, “Your timing, God. Not mine!”

Limiting Beliefs

Another important reason for aligning your goals with God’s will is that from your earthly perspective, you can’t see the limitless possibilities of all you can achieve. 

You don’t know what you don’t know, but God does. 

Have you ever found yourself held back by limiting beliefs? 

Maybe you’ve seen someone do something and your first thought was, “There’s no way I could ever do that!” 

Well, the fact of the matter is, you’re right! 

There is no way you could do that on your own.

Every plan requires preparation and His strength and heavenly knowledge to get you there.

He knows you are far more capable of bigger goals than what you would set for yourself because He’s The One who put them there, to begin with!

With God’s mighty strength and His knowledge of what’s to come, there is absolutely nothing that can or will stop you. 

There may be pain

There was a time in my life that I would have wished away the pain for you, but if I’ve learned nothing else over the years, it’s that in the pain is where you learn the most. 

It’s where you’ll experience the most growth, and discover the biggest blessings. 

God’s path, no matter how hard it may be will always lead you to glorious destinations!

Every journey, every bump in the road, every struggle serves a very important purpose.

The good news for every dreamer is that each stage or obstacle along our journey is intended not to block our dream, but to help us break through to the fulfillment God promises. Bruce Wilkinson, The Dream Giver

So don’t stunt your growth by worrying about the pain that may come. Trust in God and know that His path will always bring the biggest victories.

Take that step and know that there will, most likely be struggles in your journey, but rest in knowing that they will provide you with the most rewarding successes.

Practice makes perfect

In the beginning, you will probably forget. You’ll leap right into something without seeking His will for you, but as with anything in your life, it takes practice.

When you realize this has happened, stop yourself and ask God to guide the rest of your steps. Ask Him to show you the right path and close the doors on the goals that don’t align with His will for you.

Then slow down a bit and keep praying. 

He may not answer immediately, but He will answer. 

Over time, aligning your wants and desires with God’s will for you will become second nature. 

You will turn to Him automatically before setting your goals. You’ll learn to be patient and know that He will give you the answers when you have been properly prepared for what He has planned next.

When you see that God’s journey is so much more glorious compared to your self-centered goals (and I mean that in a loving way), you won’t want to go after anything that wasn’t meant for you in the first place!

A prayer for you

Your prayers don’t have to be rehearsed or elaborate. Just turn your focus to God and ask Him for guidance.

If you need a little inspiration, write down this prayer so that you have it handy when you need it. (You can find our FREE Blank Scripture Cards in the Community Library.)

Heavenly Father,

I ask that you show me your plans and guide my steps so that I live according to your will for me. 

Remind me to seek your guidance before stepping out. 

If something presents itself that does not fit within your plans, please shut the door and help me to recognize it easily.

I ask that you help me to be invisible so that you can shine throughout my journey, always pointing others to you. 

In your son’s name, I pray. 

Amen

Wrapping Up

When aligning your goals with God’s will, you have to be willing to take a path that you wouldn’t have chosen for yourself. 

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6 NLT

Go to Him today. Ask Him to show you what’s next for your life and where He wants you to go. 

Then be ready to step out of your comfort zone and start accomplishing things you never thought possible!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. Be sure to take a look around before you go.

Until next time…..

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