I know some people that, like me, have the habit of starting a new year by setting goals to reach, only to realize a few months later that things are not progressing according to their expectations … What is it that went wrong and did not work? Is it that they were not really convinced of their goals in the first place, perhaps because these were imposed on them? Or did they lack persistence in keeping in line with their objectives in their daily decisions?
As a Life Coach, I could ask you questions that would help you come up with the answers that will light up your way and give you the motivation you need to correct the areas that are hindering you from making progress. As a believer, however, I also know that there’s a very important factor that will determine the success of your projects …
The prophet Jeremiah said to God: “O Lord, I know that a man’s way is not in himself: man has no power of guiding his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23) .
The wisdom found in the book of Proverbs also adds that: “A man’s heart plans his way: but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
I know that God does not endorse projects that are not within the realm of His will, at least not in the lives of those He loves! His Word says that we are “created for the good works that God has before ordained that we should do them” (Ephesians 2:10), and that we are “called according to His purposes” (Romans 8:28).
This doesn’t mean that God is a tyrant who does not grant us the freedom to make our own choices, but that He has a bigger plan for us, a purpose that often goes beyond our human understanding. We must seek that, if we desire to prosper and have succes in our ways!
“Let this book not depart from your mouth; but meditate on it day and night, observing to do all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success” (Joshua 1:8).
Nowadays there are thousands of books and websites that provide countless self-help tools and techniques to help you achieve your goals, not to mention the motivational courses to help you change habits, improve your performance, etc. Some of these offer good advice, but none of them can give you the wisdom that was tested over the centuries and is found in the Bible!
There’s no book nor course that can give you the assurance to “have success” (Josh. 1:8) in your endeavors, no matter how much its promoters will try to guarantee it. Only God can. Only He can give you the capability to succeed.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain that build it …” (Psalm 127:1).
How often have you set goals, without being able to reach them? The cause of these failed attempts can probably be identified in the lack of someone who will hold you accountable of the progress you try to make, whether it’s a partner or a Life Coach that will encourage you to move forward in life. But I think that you also need God’s blessings, because it’s “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, said the Lord” (Zach. 4:6).
If we want to achieve our goals, it’s important to align them with God’s will, because without His grace we will soon run out of strength and become “weary in well doing” (2Tess. 3:13).
Knowing that we are in the center of God’s will and plan for our life is vital to our success and it’s what will give us the determination, as God’s children, to be persistent in pursuing and achieving our goals. In fact, “we need perseverance, that, having done the will of God, we might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36).
How can we know God’s will for us? How can we be sure that our goals are aligned with the purpose that God wants us to fulfill in our lives, so that we can achieve them? That’s a topic of vital importance that in the coming weeks I would like to continue to reflect upon, so that we can all learn the secret and find the assurance of success!
You don’t want to lose it, so come back and visit us again! We will be waiting for you …
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Click here for more Reflections: http://renatoamato.com/en/journaling/reflections/
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Oh, Renato, it is so refreshing to read this truth. I am weary of all of the worldly teaching on success and goal setting. THANK YOU for standing up in power and in truth. The Word of God should be our only authority in all things pertaining to life.
May God continue to empower you as you speak out His truth.
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