Purposeful Goal Setting

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8 (King James Version)

Daniel’s ability to stay true to his heart and conscience was birthed out of the decisions he made ahead of time. He knew going into each day what he would do and what he would not do when it came to moral, ethical, and even dietary choices. Temptation was fought before it arose because he had already purposed in his heart what he would do.

I am not one to do a lot of planning out things ahead of time. I don’t plan out weekly menus. I don’t have “to do” lists. I tend to face things as they come. While that works fine for certain areas of my life, I have learned it has caused some difficulties when it comes to doing battles in the emotional arena. Last week, a friend suggested that I write out my goals. First I was to write out my life goals and then write out my daily goals. These goals were to represent the direction I wanted to head. Both of us knew that if I didn’t purpose to do things they most likely would not get done. We both knew that my “winging it” mentality was not having good results. Each day seemed to be filled with up and down moments and the spiraling was evident. Emotional battles were usually lost before they even took place. In short, I was in trouble. It took a week to finally start the goal lists but once I got started I was amazed at the difference it made.

My life goal was as follows: To be pleasing to the Lord in my words, thoughts, and actions. To love Him with all of my heart, soul, and mind and have Him as the center of my life. To delight myself in God and enjoy the people in my life. To take my thoughts captive before they take me captive. To find my significance, worth, and value in who I am in Christ and to live out of that realization.

My daily goals are specific ways to bring about my life goals. That list gets tweaked each day. It gets added to throughout the day. Today’s goal list already looks like this… Do what is right, loving, and good toward others. Think on what is true and encouraging. Smile when I talk to others.

This is what I have noticed. When I put something on my daily goal list it is predominant in my thinking as I enter the day. As temptations come up during the day to dwell on negative things or past hurts, to put myself before others, or to have a complaining spirit, the goals for that day come to mind and I switch gears internally. If it is not demonstrating a goal I have set then it needs to be halted immediately. Does it work? Absolutely! For me, it is the difference between victory and defeat.

Father, I purpose in my heart to do the things You are laying upon my heart. Help me to continue to set the goals that will change the direction of my life. Amen.

Be Thou My Vision
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EYYbwEqDlg

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