5 Questions to Help You Set God-Centered New Year Goals and Resolutions
Planning is good because it helps to give focus, and direction, and also limits wasted time. Apart from lack of discipline, the major reason I think many new year goals and resolutions people set fail in the very first quarter of the year is because it is self-centered, and not God-centered. Here are 5 questions you can ask yourself to help you set new year goals and resolutions that the Spirit of God will breath upon for success:
1. What is God saying?
God speaks in so many ways, and it is a good practice to always write down what God says to you whether it comes in dreams, visions, divine inspirations, Rhema word, prophetic word, etc. Think of the instructive or informational things God has told you, they’re meant to give you focus and direction. They may or may not come tied to the current year, but you know it is the current position God is with you, the current instructions and information He is giving you. It is important you set your goals around that.
For a better understanding of this point, think about what God is saying concerning the following areas:
- Your ministry (divine purpose and destiny)
- Your spiritual growth and understanding
- Your mental development
- Your health
- Your relationships
- Your finances
- What you should be learning (with God, there’s always something to learn)
- Others
2. Based on what God is saying, what things should I pursue to achieve in the new year?
Your goals and pursuits shouldn’t be based on what society or the world is saying, but on what God is saying. If your pursuits are inspired and driven by lust/self, God will not bless them. You will have to get that on your own strenght and/or in partnership with the spirit of the world. But please don’t go that route. Pursue and follow only what God has planned for you.
3. What are some character traits, errors and mistakes of the previous year that can be potentially damaging to the new year’s goals?
Be sincere in pointing out those weaknesses that must be dealt with. For example, think about procrastination, inconsistencies, pride, playfulness, wastefulness of time and other resources, too much sleep, talkativeness, etc. List them all.
4. How can these errors be dealt with?
Now that you have that list of errors, what system and cultures can you incorporate and build to cut off? Perhaps a saving culture, accountability, prioritizing, reading more, self development, praying more, monthly or quarterly reviews, etc.
5. Based on what God is saying, goals to achieve, and things to change, what are the prayer points and prayer focus for next year?
By strength shall no man prevail. As you commit to being diligent, you must also commit to praying about these things, and ultimately commit to a life of prayer.
In conclusion, God will always back, support and finish what he started Philippians 1:6. On the other hand if a matter is inspired by the flesh, it will never please or glorify God, so He will not give His blessing 1 Corinthians 1:29-30 KJV. Better than putting God first is to make Him the first and last, the center of your new year resolution and planning. If you do this, you will have a year different from the ones in which God was not the center of your planning.
I wish you an amazing year.