5 Good Reasons to Set Goals for 2017
Coming up this week\u2026
- A free ebook on the 8 strategies successful people are using now to accomplish more next year.
- Why I believe it\u2019s proper for Christians to set goals\u2026it\u2019s even our \u201csacred duty.\u201d
- And then, of course, 5 Good Reasons to Set Goals for 2017 (Even If You Hate Goal-Setting)
Click here to download or listen to this episode now.
Spiritual Foundations
There are those in the family of faith that believe that setting goals is \u201csinful arrogance\u201d. The argument for this belief comes from the book of James in the New Testament. James, the brother of Jesus, says this\u2026
\u201cCome now, you who say, \u2018Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit\u2019\u2014 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, \u2018If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.\u2019 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. (James 4:13-16)
James is echoing the sentiment of this passage from the Old Testament:
\u201cDo not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.\u201d (Proverbs 27:1)
Do these verses teach us that setting goals is sinful arrogance? I don\u2019t think so. In fact, I think it is our duty as Christians to set goals, and I have three strong reasons to support that assertion. We\u2019ll get to those in a moment, but first I want to tackle this idea that Christians should not set goals at all.
People who hold this view (that goal-setting is wrong) usually offer as argument the idea that they are \u201cfree to be led by the Spirit\u201d. They want to be sure they are \u201copen to God\u2019s will\u201d. There are at least three incorrect pre-suppostions embedded within this position. If this is your belief, you are assuming:
- Your \u201cfeelings\u201d and \u201cpromptings\u201d are the one and only infallible way of accessing God\u2019s specific plan and will for any situation. You can only trust those feelings of yours to know when you are \u201cin God\u2019s will\u201d. Hello, scary cult leader. Our emotions are important for relating to God and what He is saying, but they don\u2019t rule over everything else. Sometimes our feelings are just inaccurate. Even Jesus experienced this. In the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His crucifixion, he was emotionally distressed and asked God to spare him from the horrors that lay ahead. But Jesus ultimately conceded, \u201cNot my will but Yours.\u201d Emotionally, he did not want to experience what was to come \u2013 but He knew it had to be done, and He did it.
- The second pre-supposition those opposed to goal-setting make is that Holy Spirit only leads us spontaneously \u2013 that He never leads us to make plans. That is simply not supported by scripture. Paul made plans (Romans 1:13). The early Apostles made plans ( Acts 6:1-3). Jesus made plans (Matthew 10:5-15).
- Finally, those holding the \u201cno goal-setting\u201d view are disregarding the fact that we can also hear the voice of the Holy Spirit though God\u2019s written word. The Bible makes it clear that we can receive fresh revelation from god through his written word ( Matthew 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:15-17).
Just like we are supposed to be good stewards of our wealth, we are also supposed to be good stewards of our life. Selah.
Tip Of The WeekGet Michael Hyatt\u2019s ebook,\xa0\u201cAchieve What Matters in 2017\u201d.
This is an incredible download. More than 30 thought leaders, influencers, and high achievers all share their top strategies for starting the year off with a bang.
You'll recognize many of the names as they include multiple best-selling authors, speakers, and leaders of their respected fields. People like:
- Tony Robbins
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- Lysa TerKeurst
- Andy Stanley
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- and many others\u2026
It's all available here.
As we get closer to the start of 2017, the timing on this couldn't be any better. The insights were pretty incredible, so make sure you take a look for yourself\u2026
Also watch for the Free LifeScore App Wednesday, November 30th, (day after tomorrow, if you\u2019re listening to this on release day)\u2026
If life were a game, what would your score be?
Even if you aren't competitive, how would you rank each area of your life?
- Would you give yourself a good score with your health?
- What about your finances or relationships?
- What if there was a way you could measure yourself in the areas that matter most\u2013so that you can improve?
- What if you could get an overall score for your life, take it to the next level, and create the life you want?
Well, now you can. If you\u2019re not on our email list, get signed up today so we can notify you when this is released Wednesday, or you can go to https://rayedwards.com/lifescore (that link will not work until Wednesday, November 30th).
Feature Segment: \u201c5 Good Reasons to Set Goals for 2017 (Even If You Hate Goal-Setting)\u201d- You have goals already \u2013 wouldn\u2019t you rather set them consciously?
- If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
- Goals keep you moving forward, even when it\u2019s tough.
- Having written, measurable goals keeps you accountable.
- If you want to be your best possible self, you must have a plan to achieve that.
Some additional thoughts:
- To be effective goals must be written, measurable, and regularly measured.
- There are many systems for setting goals, the one that has worked best for me is Michael Hyatt\u2019s 5 Days to Your Best Year Ever.
- When Michael opens up BYE, I hope you\u2019ll join me in the journey for 2017.
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