Intentional Planning Part 4:
When Good Goals Aren't God Goals
Hey Reader,
You know what a lot of people don't tell you about goal setting? Not every goal is meant to be pursued.
Have you ever chased a goal because it sounded impressive, looked productive, or seemed like what you "should" do, only to discover later it wasn't what God had for you? I know I have.
In fact, while writing this post, I literally asked God to remind me of a goal I tried to force that He repeatedly said "No" to. The one that immediately came to mind humbled me more than I care to admit.
In 2007, while pregnant with my daughter, I was determined that we become homeowners. Yes, we were on the brink of one of the greatest recessions… and yeah, I was paying attention to the news, but I seemed convinced that God wanted greater for us…like now.🙄
You read that right. I was certain that time was in our favor, and I wasn't for a moment resting in His timing (or what was actually happening in our economy). I was determined.
We got the house, and everything, absolutely everything went south. From the integrity of our contract, to the type of loan we entered. The next 5 years were an absolute mess, y'all.
Looking back, I can see something now that I couldn't see then.
While my faith was strong in the ask for the desire to become homeowners, my heart posture wasn't in the right place spiritually. At that point in my life, I wasn't fully surrendering my plans to God. I was operating from an "if it's going to be, it's up to me" mindset.
And since we're in full confession mode, I was giving myself far more credit than I was giving God.
Looking back, I can see that I had begun trusting my abilities more than I was trusting the One who gave them to me.
The planning, the strategy, the organization, the ability to negotiate debt on our credit reports…those things came naturally to me. But they weren't accomplishments I could claim as my own. They were gifts entrusted to me by God.
Somewhere along the way, I stopped focusing on my Sovereign Giver and became consumed with what I thought I could accomplish with my gifts...the very gifts God gave me.
My love to love, my spirit of discernment, creative ability, communication, my ability to organize chaos, my love of systems and structure, and my desire to read, learn, and grow… none of that came from genetics; it all came from Him. Our Savior, our gracious and loving God.
The problem wasn't the goal itself. The problem was that I wanted the goal more than I wanted God's direction and understanding of how HE wanted me to use the gifts HE'S BLESSED ME WITH.
And each time the answer was "No," I saw people standing in my way instead of recognizing God was redirecting my path.
It took years for me to understand that God wasn't withholding or taking away something good from my family or me; He was protecting me from pursuing or holding onto something that wasn't part of His plan for that season.
So, let's reflect together. Do you share the same habits when it comes to 'letting go and letting God' with goals and plans? Let's take a second on how this might look…
We create the goal.
We build the plan.
We set the timeline.
We pray and ask God to bless it.
But do we stop to ask if it's His assignment in the first place?
Is it possible that all those things we're trying to pursue were never part of God's plan for our lives or this moment?
Look, if this post seems similar to last week, there's a purpose I'm trying to drive home here.
Peace in planning is recognizing that there's NOT A SINGLE THING WE CAN DO WITHOUT CHRIST. When we include Him in the details, everything falls into His perfectly peaceful place. It's then that we can boast about the strength we find Him through His amazing grace.
Friend, this is actually exciting news. You see, if you've been carrying goals God never assigned to you, you don't have to keep carrying them. If you've been striving, forcing, pushing, and exhausting yourself trying to make something happen, you can lay it at His feet. You don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to force open doors God wants closed, and you certainly don't have to carry responsibilities He never intended for you to bear.
Our job isn't to control the outcome; our job is surrender. And while surrendering may be difficult (trust me, I KNOW), I can assure you that I've witnessed His power and grace IS sufficient for whatever season we're walking through.
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT)
"Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Paul understood something many of us spend years trying to learn: our weaknesses aren't obstacles to God's work—they're opportunities for His strength to shine through us.
CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK
This week, take a few quiet moments with the Lord and review the goals you're currently pursuing.
Ask yourself: "Did God ask me to carry this?"
Not:
"Can I do it?"
"Would it be impressive?"
"What will people think if I don't?"
Simply: "Lord, is this from You?"
If a goal, commitment, expectation, or dream is creating constant frustration, pressure, or striving, spend some time in prayer asking God if you're carrying something He never assigned to you in the first place.
Then ask Him to reveal where He wants you to focus your time, energy, and gifts in this season.
CLOSING PRAYER
Precious and Gracious Lord,
Thank You for being patient with me when I try to take control of plans that were never mine to carry.
Forgive me for the times I've trusted my own abilities more than I've trusted You. Help me remember that every gift, talent, opportunity, and success comes from Your gracious hand.
Give me the wisdom to recognize the difference between goals that are rooted in Your purpose and goals that are rooted in my own ambition.
Teach me to surrender my plans, my timelines, and my expectations to You.
When You say "wait," help me trust. When You say "no," help me listen.
And when You open a door, help me walk through it with humility and gratitude.
May I never become so focused on the gifts that I forget the Giver.
Help me find peace in knowing that Your grace is sufficient, Your timing is perfect, and Your plans are always greater than my own. In Jesus' name, Amen.
In Love and Christ,
Dorene Elizabeth
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