Have you ever set goals only to feel lost, unmotivated, or uncertain about whether they really align with God’s purpose for your life?
I was never good at creating goals or planning for the future. But once I changed my approach, I not only became great at setting goals, but I also became better at implementing them. This is because it felt like God was truly in them.
If you’re feeling stuck and unable to move forward, this guide will help you build Godly goals that will leave you feeling encouraged and excited for the future.
Let’s dive into these practical steps to set goals that align with God’s will for your life!
Step #1 – Start With Prayer
‘The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. ‘
Psalms 145:18
The first step is the most important step. As A.J. Gordon says, we can do more than pray after we have prayed, but we cannot do more than pray until we have prayed. Prayer should not be supplemental to our goal setting; our goal setting should come from prayer.
How can we begin to know God’s will for our lives if we don’t first come to Him in prayer?
Start by going to a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. Surrender your desires to God and invite Him to be a part of it all. Ask Him to establish your plans. After all, God has the best and most perfect plan for us. Why would we want anything different?
Step #2 – Seek Wisdom From Scripture
‘If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ‘
James 1:5
This step is key because knowing God’s Word means knowing God’s will. He has given us everything we need to know in one lovely, neat and information-filled package: the Bible. All we need to do is read it.
Begin by going back to verses that have stood out to you before, the ones that you keep coming back to, or the ones that you know by heart. There is a reason why they are so important to you.
Next, go to the internet. I often use this as a tool to quickly and efficiently research scripture that applies to whatever I am dealing with at the time. It goes without saying that you should have your bible in hand while doing this.
And lastly, keep reading the Bible. Everyday. This is the best way to get to know God’s word.
Step #3 – Write Down Your Goals
‘Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. ‘
Habakkuk 2:2-3
Writing down your goals brings clarity and helps you to stay focused on what truly matters. It turns your desires into something tangible and measurable. More importantly, when you document your God-centered goals, you can pray over them and seek His guidance in every step.
Take a moment to reflect on what God has placed on your heart. Consider the different areas of your life (spiritual, personal, career, relationships) and identify where you feel led to grow. Then, take a notebook or journal and write down your goals in a way that is clear and specific.
Keep your goals visible as a reminder of what you’re working toward with God’s guidance.
Step #4 – Break Goals into Actionable Steps
‘The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. ‘
Proverbs 21:5
A goal without a plan is just a wish!
Breaking big goals into smaller steps makes them more achievable. These steps serve as a blueprint that we can follow to help us take action and move forward. God doesn’t expect us to do everything at once. He guides us one step at a time.
Take each goal you have written down and think about all the steps needed to make it happen. Break it down into small, manageable actions that will move you forward. Shift your focus from the big picture, and ask yourself, “What is the very first step I can take?” Then, continue mapping out the next steps one by one.
To stay on track, create a timeline for your goal and set milestones along the way to measure your progress. For example, if your goal is to read the Bible daily, a simple first step might be choosing a specific time to read each day. A milestone could be completing one book of the Bible in a month.
This approach will help you to stay motivated, keep you from feeling overwhelmed, and help you stay on track.
Step #5 – Remain Flexible
‘In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. ‘
Proverbs 16:9
God’s plans are always better than ours! Sometimes we set goals, but God redirects us. Remaining flexible allows us to surrender our plans to Him, trusting that He knows what’s best. Be open to God’s redirection and guidance.
Be open to adjusting your goals when necessary. This could mean shifting your timeline, changing your approach, or even letting go of a goal entirely if God places something new on your heart. Unexpected changes might be His way of refining your direction or leading you to something even better.
Flexibility allows you to move forward with faith rather than frustration.
Step #6 – Regularly Seek God’s Guidance
‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. ‘
Psalms 32:8
Regularly seeking God’s guidance helps us to not only remain flexible, but it is also the best way to ensure that we are in God’s will. You won’t get all the answers in one day. Setting goals isn’t a one-time event. It’s a continuous process of walking with God.
God continuously leads us, and that’s why we should keep Him in our plans moving forward.
Make it a habit to spend time with God daily, reading His Word, praying, and listening for His direction. When decisions arise, pause and seek His guidance before moving forward. You won’t always get immediate answers, but staying connected to Him ensures that you remain on the right path.
It can also be helpful to seek wise counsel from a mentor, pastor, or trusted friend who can offer biblical insight and encouragement.
Step #7 – Always End with Gratitude
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already provided.
As you work toward your goals, don’t just wait until the end to celebrate, acknowledge, and thank God for every step forward. Recognizing progress, no matter how small, keeps you motivated and reminds you that God is working in your life.
Make it a habit to thank the Lord throughout your journey, not just when you achieve the final result. Keep a gratitude journal where you note answered prayers, small victories, and ways you’ve grown along the way. Celebrating progress helps you stay encouraged, especially when the end goal feels far away.
As you reflect on God’s faithfulness, your trust in Him will deepen for the road ahead.
In Closing
Setting goals that align with God’s will isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about walking in faith, trusting that He is leading you, even when things don’t go as planned. God’s path may look different from what you imagined, but His plans are always greater than ours. Stay committed, remain flexible, and keep seeking Him every step of the way.
Looking for more faith-based growth? Read my post on 10 Easy Habits to Radically Improve Your Life.
