Three Characteristics of Godly Goals By Rick Warren
“Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
God cares about what kind of goals you set. In fact, setting godly goals benefits you in three major ways:
Godly goals challenge your faith. The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). In order to please God, you need to set goals that require faith. In other words, you should set goals that are too big to reach on your own.
If you set a big goal, God will work in a big way. If you set a medium-size goal, God will work in a medium way. If you set a small goal, God will work in a small way.
Goals stretch your faith. They affirm that you trust God, but they are also statements of how much you trust God. The Bible says, “According to your faith let it be done to you” (Matthew 9:29 NIV).
Godly goals develop your character. When you set a goal that requires faith, God uses the journey to change you as you work to reach that goal.
It’s the plot of a thousand movies. Whether the character’s goal is to win the war, go to the moon, or climb Mount Everest, they must overcome obstacles on the way to their goal, and as a result, their character changes. They grow up.
God wants you to grow up. When you die, you won’t take any of your accomplishments with you to heaven. But you will take your character. Godly goals develop the kind of character God wants you to have.
The apostle Paul says, “I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that. That is the reason Christ made me his” (Philippians 3:12 ICB).
Godly goals give you hope. I once read a study about Holocaust survivors who had been through the hell of death camps. How did they survive? All of them had something in common: They had something to look forward to.
Godly goals give you a reason to endure, even through the most difficult times. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (NIV).
Godly goals give you the hope to keep moving forward, even when you feel like giving up.
I don’t know what you’re going through today. But no matter what life is like for you, you need a godly goal. Pursuing it will challenge your faith, develop your character, and build your hope.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
Thank you for helping restore broken hearts with the hope of Jesus!
I am so grateful to be on mission with you! Your gift today is a bold statement that you want to be a light in this world and make an eternal impact for Jesus Christ.
As thanks for your gift, we’re excited to send you the "Hope Is Born: A Christmas Scripture Collection" Scripture cards. This set of 52 beautifully designed cards brings the joy of the season to life, each sharing a powerful verse celebrating the hope and wonder of Jesus’ birth.
Request yours below when you give, and thank you for going on mission to reach our world with the love of Jesus!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.
