Do you ever get tired of working on your goal? Maybe you’re trying to lose weight. Or you’re trying to start a new business. Or maybe you’re trying to write a book or start a new habit.
Whatever it is, things aren’t going as smoothly as you’d like them to go. It seems like one hurdle after another and you’re getting discouraged.
That’s the way I was feeling a couple of weeks ago with writing, so when I was testing one of the Bible studies for my 30 day weight loss Bible study, I decided to answer the questions for writing rather than eating. It was so helpful, I decided to post it as a Bible study. If you’re struggling with working on a goal, I hope this Bible study will help.
Bible Study
1. Think about your expectations for your goal and how much work you should have to put into achieving it. Then complete the following half sentences with as many thoughts as you can think of:
a. Working on this goal should be …
b. I shouldn’t have to …
c. I should be able to …
d. I can’t believe …
e. It’s not fair that …
2. Go back and write the truth for each thought. For an example of this, see this post: If He Loved Me, He Wouldn’t Say Those Things.
3. Read the following Bible verses. What attitude do you think God wants you to have toward the trial of working on this goal and not experiencing success as quickly as you’d like to experience it?
Romans 5:3-5
Romans 8:28
Galatians 6:9
Philippians 4:4-5
Philippians 4:11-13
4. Do you think God would rather have you focus on the physical completion of this goal or on keeping Him first as you work on your goal and/or all the people you’ll be able to help if you achieve this goal?
5. Why do you think God doesn’t perform a miracle and help you achieve this goal instantly?
6. What can you thank God for today?
Question: What is the hardest part about working on your current goal? (It would also be fun to know what your goal is!)
Barb this came just in time. I had been praying for God to help me on my weight loss journey. Last Spring I found out I had Type 2 diabetes, and lost a good amount of weight with the Diabetes recommendations. But have lost nothing now on the same plan, for the last 2 months.
Due to laziness I just haven’t followed through with working on this, so that I can move forward. This post will really help me focus! Thank You! (((HUGS)))
That’s great, Elizabeth, I hope it helps. I can’t remember, did I also email you the donut questions? I have some new ones called “I’ll Start Tomorrow Eating” questions that really helped me realize I need to stick to my boundaries. The questions should be out in paperback book form in the next two or three weeks (I just got the proofs back and it shouldn’t take long to make the corrections I need to make), but if you want them before then let me know and I’ll email them to you. I know how discouraging it is to not make progress.
It’s easy to get burned out with wrong perspectives. Those are great verses, Philippians 4:13 is powerful and helps put things in the proper perspective. I’ve learned that it really is the process, not the destination that God uses to develop perseverance in us that brings the sweet taste of gratification.
I’m trying to get picked up by an agent for my second manuscript. The hardest thing is finding the time it takes to get that done along with writing. Excellent post and reminder of why we do what we do… Thanks, Barb.
You hit the nail on the head, Floyd – it’s always the wrong perspectives that burn me out. When I take the time to see writing from God’s perspective, I’m much more content. I can’t believe how much He is helping me grow through all of this – plus it’s shocking (and a bit sickening) to see how much I need to grow! I hope you find an agent soon, I would love to read what you’ve written. Judging from the comments on your blog, I think a lot of people would look forward to it.
Keeping the end in mind always helps when working on a goal (Especially a big goal). My current goal is to keep focused for the next couple weeks and beyond for when my book comes out. I’ve had to persevere through a lot of challenges to be where I’m at with my book/launch team but it’s been worth it. Great post and thoughts!
We have similar current goals, Dan. I just got my proof back and I like it – just need to make a few minor adjustments. It is exciting, isn’t it? I can completely relate to all the perseverance that’s been necessary to reach this point. Will be nice to see our books out there!
Barb, I love that you encouraged us to write the truth and writing what we believe. My foolish excuses are more easily recognized when God’s truth shines on them. I believe that is my goal . . . that God would help me know the many foolish things I believe instead of His truth.
I love that God wants to shed His truth on us – He’s just waiting for us to come and ask for it. I find the same thing you do – how foolish my excuses are when God sheds His light on them. Love your goal, Deb!
Another great Bible Study!
I’m reading the book, “The Fire of Delayed Answers” by Sorge. In it, he talks about delayed answers and how the waiting time refines us.
I thought of his first two chapters (as that’s all I’ve read of his book so far) and how it relates to your post so well for me right now.
I have to keep pushing forward, trusting God’s timing, and believing that the delayed answers are producing in me fruit I wouldn’t otherwise have.
That sounds like a good book, TC. Thanks for suggesting it. I often think God waits for that very reason – because He knows we need refining.
I need tons of refining, and God knows it!
So often I think I’m ready for the next step, but God shows me that I’m not as prepared as I think I am. I need time to catch up with His plan.
I have the same experience, TC. The key for me is to just trust that He knows what He’s doing. When I think of it, I’d far rather have Him in control, the King of the Universe, rather than me in control. :)
So true…seems silly that I’d ever try to do it on my own :)
This is a great study Barb and it makes much sense in my life right now. I have a few goals I am working on and one of them is a book – one of the hardest part is overcoming some mental standards and deadlines I’ve put on myself and the projects. God’s been reminding me (often after I’ve come to the end of myself) that many of these things will get done when they get done, not a day earlier!
Sure I am to work hard. But it’s all in His hands. There’s so much more to life besides achieving things..it’s super easy for me to forget that when i focus on something. esp cos I underestimate the work involved and think I can do anything! Forgetting that i can do only the things He asks me to.
Great reminder for me today.
You and I are so much alike, Ngina. I’ve been having the same experience with my books. I totally underestimate the work involved, then get stressed out trying to complete it by the time I said I was going to complete it. Then I worry about disappointing people since I’ve already said I’m going to do it – at least you don’t announce your books on your blog prematurely! It’s such a growing experience. I am about ready to have the donut book finished, though! That will be exciting. I just included a new “end of the day stress” set of questions based on my current experiences with end-of-the-day stress due to the writing/publishing of these books!
It’s always so great to be near the finish line Barb! I like how everything in the end turns out – you might not have had that last chapter hadn’t you stressed out a little bit.. the chapter is going to help a lot of us out here!
Thanks, Ngina. It’s going to help me out, too. :)
Exhaustion keeps me from my goal, completing my ebook. I know that I have to put in the effort, I just wish I got more sleep, didn’t work all day and had tons of inspiration at 10PM each night when I do sit down to write.
I don’t know how you do it all, Barbie. Anyone would be exhausted with that schedule! I think you’re doing a great job coming as far as you’ve come with your project. Wouldn’t it be nice to be independently wealthy at times? Oh, life!
These are some great questions to ask about goal setting. The hardest past of working on my current goals is to stay focus when things are not happening the way I anticipated. I have to continually remind myself that it is a process. Sometimes the process lasts longer than first thought. I remind myself
Excellent questions concerning goal setting. The hardest part is the waiting. Somethings have not happened as fast as I thought would happen. I learned I must keep pressing towards the mark. A delay does not mean a deny. I refocus, recalibrate, reset and get back to work. I have several, but one major goal is to complete my second book.
Love the three R’s, Bernard! I agree, waiting is hard. It encourages me to read through the Bible and see how many people of faith had to wait, and not only wait, many of them weren’t even rewarded in this life. Your three R’s are a great response to things not happening as quickly as we want. For me, the refocus part of the picture is often seeing the whole situation from a biblical perspective. Thanks for sharing your insight, Bernard. It’s helpful.
Part of what I try to do is enjoy the process of growing. It’s so easy to keep our focus on the accomplishment that we don’t pay any attention to the present.
That’s great advice, Loren. Thanks.
We have just come from a week conference at our mission headquarters. Part of it was on marriage, the other part on grief, both good subjects and they gave us a ton to think through and implement into our lives and ministry. So that is my goal now, especially the marriage one…49 years next month and we still find ourselves needed reminded of the same truths. Also we want to be able to use the material with those couples coming home from the mission field. I am reminded by some of comments everything does not have to learned in one day or one week, it’s precept upon precept. Good post.
Wow, 49 years. That’s great, Betty. We’ve been married 30 years. It’s great to read the comments, isn’t it? We’re all in process. One of the things that has helped me a lot in working through marriage difficulties is truth journaling. Not sure if you’ve read those posts. If you’re interested there are links under the renewing the mind tools tab up at the top.
42 a mother of three married for 24yrs but my husbsnd left home gto other ladies um stress its been two yrs im in pain
Wow, that must have been so hard. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through that!
Barb, I have really appreciated all your material, I have the I Deserve a Donut app, and am currently working my way again through Rally. I have been renewing my mind recently listening to your podcasts and that has helped but I am really struggling with losing weight. About 15 years ago I had a ski accident and tore my ACL. I didn’t need surgery but a lot of therapy and they recommended weight loss. I am only 4’9″ and at that time I weighed 170. I lost about 35-40 pounds over the next 5 years but I really need to lose 20# now. I am back up to 144 and I should be 124. I am starting to feel stress in my feet and knees and I am pretty active for my 59 years. I used Weight Watchers and have continued going to weekly meetings and working whatever the current program was fairly strictly but I have been in about a 3 year plateau and since January 1st I have been following very strictly and renewing my mind and have only lost 4 pounds since January. I hesitate to write you because I feel like it must be me, I am doing something wrong, but I don’t know what. I get tempted to look at other programs but I KNOW there is no “work fast” program. HELP! Do you still do coaching sessions? Is there a charge? I am about ready to give up, but I am afraid my weight will go up. UGH!
Hi Jennifer! I’m sorry about your injury and that you’re starting to feel stress in your knees and feet again. That’s hard as I know how valuable it is to be able to stay active. I don’t do ongoing coaching sessions, but I do do one time sessions. You can email me here if you’re interested in that: https://barbraveling.com/contact/ It sounds like it may be more of a physical thing though if you’re following the WW guidelines perfectly and not losing weight. If that’s the case, it may be better to go to the Weight Watchers website and ask them for help, but let me know if you’d like to visit!