Every year, you set goals, but by February, they’re long forgotten. Let’s do it differently this year by setting goals that align with God’s will for your life. We’ll explore how to make meaningful progress in your marriage, motherhood, home, and health.

Anyone can set goals. The act of goal setting itself is simple. There is research from the University of Scranton that states that 92% of people who set New Year’s Eve resolutions or goals fail to achieve them each year. So, we know that the act of setting goals isn’t the problem. We must know how to get the goals accomplished.

Before we chat on this topic, I first must highlight the importance of ensuring that we align our goals with God’s will. As believers, we don’t want to set just any random goals. We should desire to work towards things that are in line with God’s will for our personal lives. This will look different for each person.

Years ago, I would set cliche New Year’s resolutions, but now I know the value and power in setting goals with God. Instead of saying, “I’m going to eat healthier in this New Year!” God may be specifically be leading you to eliminate refined sugar, in which case, your goal may be “I will only eat foods that contain natural sugar (like fruit).

Commit[a] your works to the Lord,

And your thoughts will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

So, with Proverbs 16:3 in mind, let’s get into practical, Christ-centered steps to setting and keeping meaningful goals!

1. Pray for Guidance Before Setting Goals

Before the New Year, set aside some time to be alone and quiet with God. Spend time in prayer and be sensitive to His voice. Seek His wisdom and discernment. (James 1:5).

Ask God to reveal areas in your life that need growth or surrender. This is key! The Lord will reveal these areas to you and when He does, plan to make the necessary adjustments. The goal is to honor God at all times, especially as we enter into the New Year. 

Keep your prayers simple, for example: “Lord, show me how I can better honor You in my marriage, parenting, home, and health this year.” Consider writing these prayers down in a prayer journal. Use this same journal to write down what the Lord is speaking to your heart. This way, you can review the things He has instructed you to do when you find yourself getting distracted and off-task.

2. Set Goals That Align with Biblical Principles

Once you’ve prayed and received wisdom regarding your goals for the year, look at scripture. Evaluate your goals against God’s word to make sure they honor God’s commands and character.

If you are feeling a nudge to prioritize your health and fitness, you can create a fitness goal that emphasizes stewarding the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Be sure to include goals that encourage your spiritual growth. Reading through the entire Bible, doing daily Bible study, or serving in your church/community may be goals you want to consider.

Avoid setting goals rooted in vanity, pride, or comparison. “ I want to buy a house that is bigger and more beautiful than Janet’s.”, is not a goal that aligns with biblical principles as we know that God voiced His displeasure of covetousness in Exodus 20:17.

3. Break Goals Into Manageable Steps

Big goals can feel overwhelming, so break them into small actionable steps. For example: Instead of “Read the whole Bible this year,” aim for “Read 1-2 chapters daily.”

Use a planner, app, and/or goal tracker to stay on track. Each month, focus on small steps that help you work toward the big goal and write them on the calendar in your planner. Celebrate your small victories along the way to stay motivated.

Example: “I am saving $1,800 to give to those in need this Christmas.”

To reach this goal, maybe you decide to save $150 every month. On your planner each month write a reminder to save $150 dollars. You may even keep a tracker that lists each month with a checkbox next to it. Each month you save, check off a box, and evaluate if you are staying on track each month.

4. Find Accountability and Support

Share your goals with your husband, a trustworthy friend, or a mentor for encouragement. I like to share my goals with my husband. We also keep our goals on corkboards in our room. This way, my husband and I are able to check in with one another regarding our main goals when needed.

Join a Bible study or group of like-minded women for spiritual and practical support. Groups of like-minded women can be helpful and motivate you to continue working toward your goal.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us of the strength in accountability. Decide what you need to keep yourself accountable whether it be one person, a group of people, or both. Check-in with your accountability partner as needed to assess your progress and pray together.

5. Be Flexible and Trust God’s Timing

Remember that God is sovereign. Life happens, and sometimes God redirects our plans (Proverbs 19:21). If this happens, be ready to pivot as He leads you. In some cases, He may have you working on a goal for a shorter or a longer period of time than you originally planned. That’s perfectly okay, because our ultimate goal is to honor God.

Reassess your goals periodically and adjust them as needed without guilt. In 2024, I gave birth to my second child and relocated across the country. Periodically, I checked my goals and made adjustments where I saw fit with the understanding that flexibility is key in those kinds of circumstances. If this happens, don’t take a guilt trip. Instead, seek God for His wisdom and guidance and act accordingly. Trust that even detours can serve His purpose in your life. Prioritize faithfulness over perfection in pursuing your goals. This is a great opportunity to practice stewarding God-given goals. Do what God is leading you to do with no excuses.

Wrapping Up How to Set and Keep God-Honoring Goals This Year

Setting and keeping God-honoring goals is not about perfection; it’s about being a faithful steward of the opportunities God has given us. By seeking His guidance, aligning our goals with His Word, and taking intentional steps toward progress, we can grow in ways that glorify Him. 

Progress is more important than perfection, and His grace covers our shortcomings. This new year, let’s commit to pursuing goals that draw us closer to the Lord, act in obedience to His call on our lives, and equip us to live as faithful stewards in all areas of life.