“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
His mercies are new every morning. I am so grateful for this because as we come around to the end of the month I have already faltered a little on sticking to my goals and resolutions for this New Year.
Almost everyone has good intentions of New Year’s resolutions. How many times in life have you started gung-ho and ready to accomplish all you resolve to do, then only two weeks later find yourself discouraged and feeling beat up because you failed?
Let’s talk about that!
Writing the Goals/ Resolutions
Personally, I don’t do resolutions. I write goals. I pick something I want to achieve but I know I can’t do in my own strength. I make a goal which will require me to rely on God to accomplish it. I make plans specifically toward sticking to my goals. When you are choosing your goals, especially if you are new at this, pick something reasonable and then go a little further.
For example, don’t set a goal to do a zero gravity space flight if you are afraid of flying! (That’s me!) Keep your task within your realistic interests and dreams. When you pick your goal choose something you can accomplish within the year.
Sticking to It
One of the best ways to stick to and accomplish your goal is to have a purposeful plan. Take the time to write out the steps you will take to accomplish your goal. Break it down into small steps so you can measure your progress.
It takes determination and perseverance to stick to your plan. This is when you rely on the strength of the Lord. When you are tired and discouraged about achieving your goal meditate on the fact that in your weakness, God is made strong!
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (NIV)
In those moments when you feel you haven’t been sticking to your goals – you feel like giving up or you have gone off track, Jesus steps in and strengthens you to keep going.
Finally, when trying to stay on track, remember this encouragement. You will reap, just hang in there and persevere.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Overcoming Slip-ups
One of the most difficult things about accomplishing and sticking to your goals is staying encouraged. Discouragement can come so easy when we don’t stick to the plan or we get off track or just forget to move forward. That is why it is good to have some encouragement in your arsenal for those not-so-good-days.
Understand that making your dreams come true require you to act. So in those times or weakness and discouragement or if you just get lazy remember:
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIV)
During times of discouragement it can be hard to gather your strength to keep going. But God has already thought of this! He provided us the Holy Spirit to help specifically in times of weakness, dismay and discouragement. Take the time to pray, asking the Holy Spirit to help you in your weakness.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26 ESV
Your goal may be starting something new. It might involve starting a new habit, a new relationship or a new business. You are just at the beginning. God loves newness, rebirth, transformation and growth. Staying connected to Jesus while working toward achieving your goals is the best way to make your dreams come true.
Let me know what your dreams are!
Let’s keep our goals and resolutions together!
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com