Whether you’re looking for encouragement with your New Year’s resolution or you need guidance with a long-term goal that has been beating you up, there are plenty of inspirational Bible verses that can help adjust your attitude. The life of a Christian is one that is best lived by choosing discipline over chaos and selfishness. Even if your goal isn’t directly tied to your spiritual life, we can still draw encouragement from the words found in the Bible. We don’t want to remove the context of inspirational Bible verses like these found below in order to twist God’s words, but you may be surprised to see how the message of each verse can be applied to your daily struggles. Let’s see what the Bible has to say about sticking with your resolutions and goals.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
While these words are encouraging, they were being written in a time that was full of worry. The Israelites were far from home and living in exile in Babylon. If you’re starting a new chapter in life, there’s a good chance that you feel disoriented and lost. No matter what you are going through, you can never afford to forget that the God who brought you this far has not suddenly forgotten you. Trust in the Lord and believe that (1) He is able and that (2) He cares for you.
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Sometimes we feel that the worries and temptations we face are so much worse than God or our friends could fathom. Maybe your goal or New Year’s resolution is to cut out unhealthy foods. Maybe it’s leaving behind a destructive habit that has the potential to hurt the ones you love. Whatever is tempting you, know that you have the strength to endure the challenge thanks to the Lord. Look for the way of escape.
“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
You are going to fail at some of your goals. Either you will slip up, or someone/something will get in your way, or things just won’t work out. Maybe you won’t get that promotion or the gym membership will collect dust. No matter how important, or trivial, your goals are, know that even if you fail spectacularly, God still loves you the same. If there is a sin component to your failure, then you should repent, pick yourself up, and get moving again down that narrow road. God has already won the ultimate victory for us, so we are currently standing in the winner’s circle. Your goals are important, but don’t let them beat you up. Move forward in confidence and at peace.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?”
There will likely be at least one person who wants you to crash and burn when it comes to your personal goals and New Year’s resolutions. They may disagree with your goal because it makes them question their own life choices, they may see you as competition, or perhaps they are pessimistic about everything. No matter who is against you, you have nothing to fear. God is standing with you through every challenge.
“‘So do not worry about tomorrow: for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
If you are a human being whose heart is currently pumping, there’s a good chance that you experience worry and anxiety. We generally worry about things, even (especially?) those which we have absolutely no control over. Bills, student loans, hungry kids, the future: these are all everyday worries that we face in life. When you dedicate yourself to new goals that promise an improvement in your circumstances, the potential for worry can even increase. The important thing is to take each day one at a time and trust that God will be there for you tomorrow just as He was yesterday.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
In one of our favorite inspirational Bible verses Peter is telling fellow believers that they should serve humbly and not compare themselves to others around them. Likewise, as you go about starting a new business, getting in shape, or being a better parent, don’t worry about the other people around you. All that you can do is trust the Lord and commit yourself to the discipline you are pursuing. We cannot weigh ourselves down with the evil of comparison or try to hurry God in His plans. Stay focused and keep to the path that is before you.
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
These are among the last words that Moses spoke to the people of Israel as they crossed into the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Israelites were about to face a number of foes and they would be tempted by false religions. They knew that God had ordained a home for them, but the road would be difficult. Whatever goals you are working on are likely similar in that they are not easy, but promise a great reward. Trust that God is working with you in this opportunity. If things don’t work out the way that you imagined, believe that He has something even better in store.
“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you,”
This verse is directly related to the previous entry on this list of inspirational Bible verses for conquering goals and resolutions as the final quote is from the transition of power from Moses to Joshua. Hebrews 13:5 is telling us to be careful about where we place our trust. Money isn’t necessarily evil, but it can become an idol when we place our faith in its abilities over God’s. This verse also relates to 1 Peter 5:6-7 in that it speaks on contentment. Your goals and resolutions may take a while to build up steam, so don’t freak out if things are moving slowly. Also, as you work on this special project, don’t get swept up into feeling that this goal is what defines you. Your purpose comes from the Lord.
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
If you want inspirational Bible verses that relate to completing goals and doing work, Colossians 3:23-24 are two of the best. What it all comes down to is that no matter what we are working on, it should be done as if the Lord was on the receiving end. That means your job, your serving at church, your exercise regimen, your eating habits, and so on should all be disciplines that are fueled by your love for God. If you’re feeling burnt out in anything, remember that your actions are a form of worship.
As you pursue new goals and try to improve different areas of your life, remember that God loves you no matter how successful you get at organizing or how fast you can run a half marathon. It’s commendable to want to learn a new skill or drop bad habits, but your worth is not decided by how successful your New Year’s resolutions are. Walk in grace and trust the Lord through everything.
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