Where Do We Start?

Goal Setting, Where Do We Start?

Today is our first “Work It Out Wednesday” and my coaching tip starts at the beginning. It’s important to self-evaluate before starting any task. It helps us to see improvements as they happen and it helps us remember to give God glory as we grow and accomplish. I am going to ask you something that will sound a little foreign when thinking about setting a goal but I have quickly learned it is essential. For the most part, we set goals based on either a desire to improve or achieve. That is great, but let’s face it, you are not just working with a health or life coach alone. You’ve connected up with a spiritual coach as well, so let’s look at goal setting in a new light.

We are living lives partnered with God so today I want you to think about what God wants you to improve upon or achieve? Can you imagine the success you will have when God is truly partnered with this great goal?

Let’s use weight loss as it is a common goal for spring time. Now, all of you who want to lose a quick twenty pounds before you throw on a pair of shorts, I want you to consider God’s concern for how you might look in a great pair of shorts this summer 🙂 Yikes! Or, maybe it’s “Yippy”… if you now see God surely wouldn’t give your skin, or how much you have, a second thought.

But we’re not off the hook yet. How healthy is your weight? What are you doing to your body by the foods you eat? Are you eating foods that leave you energized or sluggish? How healthy is your heart? Are you sustaining yourself in order to carry out HIS will for YOUR life? Now that may be a “Yikes!” for a few more! Right?

Don’t think I’m all perfect here because I literally ate 3 cupcakes yesterday! They were mini’s which is how I shamefully rationalized this silly fleshy desire. But, I do get this. I do see how successful people are when their goals are in line with God’s plans for their life. Here are a few tips to help you gain some clarity on where God may be leading you.

Are there any areas in your life…

–that hold you back from progressing? (God wants you growing your talents and advancing in HIS kingdom. How much advancing are you doing?) Could he be calling you to use your gifts and talents to advance His kingdom?

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

Are there any areas in your life…

-where fear stops you from moving forward? (The only fear I want any of us having is fear of the Almighty!) I used to hate it when I heard people say we should fear the Lord. I actually thought people who said this had it wrong. I just didn’t understand the Bible very well then. I didn’t know that we can actually fear GREATNESS. The power of our Almighty God is earth shattering if you let HIM take the reins in your life. I am simply saying He can take us places we never dreamed of. He can ask us, AND help us forgive debtors that have wronged us beyond our belief. He can help us love enemies that have hated us with venom we do not even know exists. And, he can propel us through trials we are unable to see through.

“‘Ah Lord GOD! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee’”. Jeremiah 32:17

And looking upon [them] Jesus said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”. Matthew 19:26

If you have one of these goals- a fear filled goal, go ahead dream a dream HE can do! Pray on it, let it first take root. That’s enough for now. When tomorrow feels right, start to call on God for His ‘almighty’!

Are there any areas in your life…

–that you have dreams for? Sometimes we hold ourselves back from advancing out of a thought that we shouldn’t have ‘more’. Sometimes our self-esteem is involved and we unknowingly hold ourselves back feeling we don’t deserve more. All I can say about this is – what do we do with the more. Do we hoard our blessings received from advancement or do we use it then to do more of God’s work? I say don’t make this your problem. God knows what He is doing. Work for God, let His power do whatever it can through you, and then use the results wisely and again- to HIS glory.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20

Another day I will share some great goal setting tips but for today pray. Pray for insight and understanding to what God wants of you. Pray for insight and understanding of where you may be holding yourself back from doing God’s work. And when you find yourself challenged with some truth, call on the Almighty for some GREAT help while you set out on a God-partnered goal!

Faith Infused Living…Reaching Goals Higher!

Niccie Kliegl CLC, RN

Author of Awaking the Living Legacy