Weekly Devotional: Goal Setting Is Important For Keeping Your Faith

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

Keeping your faith while attending college can be difficult at times. It is another thing that you need to stay on top of in addition to all of your school work and can get overwhelming at times. It is easy to put your faith on the backburner and before you know it, God feels distant. This is why staying on top of your faith is important. Here is how setting goals can help you keep your faith during your college years.

Forces You to Make a Plan and Actually Track It

Setting a goal starts by making a plan. If you make a plan and write it down, you will be more determined to get it done. Make a plan to read a certain amount of your bible or read your bible at least once a week. Make a plan to listen to worship music and pray and make an effort to be present with God every night. These are some examples of simple, faith based goals that you can make for yourself while in college.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Gives You Direction and Helps You Focus Your Time

Setting a goal will help you establish a plan and will help guide you in the right direction. It gives you a starting point. You will know where to start and it will help launch you further into your relationship with God. The hardest part is figuring out where to start, if you can figure that out, the rest will be smooth sailing.

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” – Jeremiah 33:3

Helps You Manage Your Priorities

Having goals will help you set your priorities and help you remember the things that are most important to you. It is easy to get caught up in all the craziness of college and new friends and fun events, that we forget the important things in life. Having a goal to remember the important things like your school work, God and your family will be a helpful reminder throughout college as to what is most important in your life and what keeps you grounded.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17

Helps You Visibly See Your Progress

Setting goals will help you to visibly track your progress and you will be able to see how much you are succeeding over time. It will be so rewarding and satisfying to check things off of your to do list and seeing results as you do. The more time you spend with God, the more you will see him in your life.

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” – Colossians 4:5

Grand Canyon University is committed to following the Lord in all circumstances. If you would like to learn more about GCU’s Christian identity and heritage or would like to read more devotionals please visit our website and check out the GCU Blog.