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Spiritual goals are an often overlooked but incredibly vital aspect of personal growth. We set goals for our careers, finances, and fitness, but it’s equally important to nurture our inner selves. By connecting with something larger, we can begin to create a deeper sense of purpose, peace, and fulfillment.
Let’s look at what setting spiritual goals looks like and how you can grow closer to God.
Finding Purpose: A Guide To Setting And Achieving Spiritual Goals
Think of spiritual goals as a roadmap for your soul. Just like physical fitness requires discipline and dedication, nurturing your spirit takes intention and effort. These goals can encompass a vast array of practices and beliefs, all with a common thread of helping us live more mindfully, compassionately, and purposefully.
This isn’t about achieving some unattainable level of perfection; rather, it’s about cultivating a deeper connection with God, with others, and with your purpose.
Understanding Spiritual Goals
Spiritual goals are deeply personal and reflect your individual values, beliefs, and aspirations. While I am a Christian and my spiritual goals reflect those that are laid out in the Bible, I know that everyone is at different points in their “spiritual journey”.
It is my hope that this guide brings you closer to putting your faith in Christ and God’s word in the Bible but when determining your spiritual goals, it’s important to determine what resonates most with you. Some common areas people focus on when setting these goals include:
Deepening Your Connection with “the Divine”
For some, this means connecting to a higher power and this might involve establishing a regular prayer practice, engaging in meaningful-to-them rituals or ceremonies, or studying religious texts that resonate with you.
In my journey, I only ever found a true and deep connection once I turned my faith and focus on Jesus Christ who is the God of the Bible and the only one true God. I have never been the same and this has led me to learn and read more of what He had to say for us in Scripture.
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, I urge you to consider Christianity with an open heart and if you are a follower of Christ (or even if you aren’t yet) commit to reading the Bible daily and attending church regularly.
Cultivating Inner Peace
This could involve meditation, mindfulness practices, or simply spending time in nature, connecting with the present moment. It could also mean tying up loose ends in your life or getting your life organized.
Even something as simple as taking a quiet walk can make a big difference.
We all are at different places in our lives but remember what God says in the verse, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
The greatest inner peace and spiritual growth truly come from putting your faith in Christ (John 14:27).
Practicing Forgiveness
Forgiveness, both for ourselves and others can be incredibly liberating.
Start by identifying any areas of resentment or bitterness you might be holding onto. Do this for the ones around you in your life including yourself. Forgiveness is all throughout Scripture and we are called to forgive just as God has forgiven us (Matthew 6:14-15).
Seeking Guidance and Trust
When facing life’s challenges, seek solace and guidance through prayer, meditation, or reflecting on inspiring scriptures.
For instance, Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will direct your paths.“
I love this proverb so much that I have it hanging in my house as a constant reminder to trust God, His will, and His plan.
Surrendering our worries and fears can be a powerful step towards spiritual growth.
Practical Steps for Setting Spiritual Goals
Just as you would approach a fitness goal, setting spiritual goals requires thoughtful planning and a realistic perspective. Consider these tips:
1. Identify Your Why
Why are spiritual goals important to you?
What do you hope to gain or achieve by focusing on this aspect of your life?
Clarity on your motivation will help guide your choices. This can also help you create a vision board for your goals.
2. Start Small and Be Realistic
Don’t expect a complete spiritual overhaul overnight.
Instead, start with achievable goals. Instead of committing to an hour of Bible reading daily, perhaps begin with 5-10 minutes.
Or even just start by listening to engaging podcasts or reading books on spiritual growth.
Even these small steps can create significant shifts in your mindset. Remember, the key to achieving spiritual goals is consistency over time, just like any other meaningful pursuit.
3. Integrate, Don’t Isolate
Rather than viewing spiritual goals as separate from your daily life, explore ways to integrate them into your routines.
Something like praying while you’re driving, I do this daily and also listen to sermons on longer drives.
Can you incorporate moments of spiritual growth throughout your day?
Could you start your morning with Bible reading and prayer grounding yourself for the day ahead?
I do this nearly every morning and find it to be extremely helpful for setting the tone of the day.
4. Seek Support
Find a spiritual community, join a group, or confide in a trusted mentor. Engaging with like-minded individuals on a similar journey can be both motivating and encouraging.
This is why I created the Men of Strength Collective. In addition to building men up in fitness and preparedness disciplines, the whole community and platform is based on faith. We also support each other through our trials and spiritual journeys.
The sense of connection and belonging we experience when sharing our faith journey with others is powerful.
Remember, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)
Fellowship and community are an important part of spiritual growth.
5. Embrace Imperfection
Understand that growth involves setbacks and moments of frustration because progress is not linear. In fact, growth requires failure and struggle if you ask me.
If you stumble, be kind to yourself and learn from the experience. Approach this process with patience, flexibility, and a good dose of humility because God out that trial there for a reason.
This is a continuous journey, not a sprint. So just relax, enjoy the process, and celebrate the small victories along the way.
6. Use Tools and Resources
Utilize the wealth of available resources to support your spiritual goals. Apps can be a valuable resource, providing guided meditations, scripture readings, or daily reflections.
Bible verse of the day apps like the Holy Bible app can be a helpful tool and provide regular inspiration and reflection.
Additionally, inspirational podcasts, websites, or online courses can provide valuable insights and guidance. Check out our other posts on faith to help you out!
Examples of Spiritual Goals and How to Achieve Them
| Spiritual Goal | How To Achieve It | Measure of Success |
|---|---|---|
| Read the Bible more consistently. | Find a reading plan you connect with. Join a Bible study for support and shared insights. Create a schedule so that you’re reading at the same time every day. Use a good study Bible. | A greater sense of familiarity with scripture. A deeper connection to God’s teachings. |
| Deepen your prayer life. | Experiment with different forms of prayer like contemplative prayer or writing in a prayer journal. Create a dedicated prayer space or time to foster a better sense of connection. | A feeling of greater intimacy and closeness to God. |
| Practice gratitude more consistently. | Start a gratitude journal. Find gratitude in the simple, everyday moments. | Feeling more optimistic. Increased peace and joy. A sense of abundance. |
| Become more involved in your local community. | Volunteer at a local organization that aligns with your values. Attend local events. Join the MOS Collective. | Forming deeper connections with people in your area. Feeling a stronger sense of belonging and purpose. |
| Develop a regular meditation routine. | Begin with just a few minutes a day and gradually increase as you feel more comfortable. Explore guided meditations if that feels more accessible. Download a meditation app. | Feeling more present and mindful. A decrease in stress and anxiety. |
| Cultivate a deeper connection with nature and God’s creation. | Intentionally spend time in nature – take walks in the park, sit by a lake, or go hiking. Engage all of your senses while immersing yourself in the amazing creation of God. | Feeling a stronger sense of connection to the earth and the Lord. |
| Explore mindfulness in my daily life. | Pay attention to the present moment while doing simple tasks – eating, walking, washing dishes. Engage all your senses – what do you see, hear, smell, taste, touch? | Feeling grounded in the present. More attuned to your body’s thoughts and sensations. Less distracted by thoughts of the past or future. Disconnect from negativity. |
Wrapping Up
Spiritual goals are about aligning your actions, thoughts, and intentions with your core values and even developing new ones. They help you create a life of deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment grounded in the Truth.
Some believe that it’s only about cultivating self-awareness, embracing self-reflection, and connecting with the divine or a greater sense of purpose in a way that is true to yourself. While that is a nice sentiment, I think it is far deeper than that.
If you open your heart to accept a deeper sense of truth beyond your own understanding, I know that you will find what you have always been yearning for in Christ Jesus.
All it takes is a spark to start this transformative journey and watch as your life becomes more meaningful with each passing moment. And we’re here to be with you along the way. God bless!
