When we make plans and circumstances beyond our control render those plans beyond reach, it can be disheartening to make new ones. Yet we were not created to give up.

At the time of creation, God imparted His creative intelligence to the first humans. Like our Heavenly Father, we have a desire to build things, to answer problems. Whether it’s for a simple project, like cooking a meal to satisfy hunger or to build a structure that could accommodate several families. From the beginning of the world, God wanted His children to rule the world, not to be victims of circumstances. To dominate, you need the desire to move forward, and to move forward you have to know which direction to take. Some people like to plan more than others, but everyone is called to do so.

The start of the year is always a good time to set goals for our year, but nothing is stopping us from making goals at any time. After our plans have repeatedly failed or been blocked in our walk by all kinds of restrictions beyond our control, we may be discouraged from setting new goals for ourselves. “What’s the point of making goals? There are too many uncertainties around me to move forward with confidence”, you might think. But what is the alternative? Without a goal, without a plan, we are not moving forward. We are not growing. We no longer live; we are just surviving. So, although it seems heavy and difficult, we must turn our eyes to God, Him, our only source of stability, and establish our goals by faith, with courage.

To do that, we need to take time with God and start by assessing where we are in different areas of our life. His Holy Spirit will show us where we need improvement and where we can rejoice in our journey. It will probably inspire us with healthy goals to move towards, and effective strategies for reaching them. You can draw inspiration from the goals of others around you, but be careful: what may be a goal for one person might not be what God desires for another. Better to consult the Lord to find out what applies to your situation, to your calling.

Luke 2:52 is a good basis for assessing the important areas of our life for improvement. “And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (ASV). We too should grow in wisdom (knowledge), stature (physical side), in favor with God (spiritual life), and men (emotional and social health). These are good areas where we can set goals for ourselves to grow. What do you want to improve in your physical condition this year? What are the spiritual goals that the Holy Spirit inspires in you? What would you like to learn this year? What are you going to do to take care of your mental health? And so on.

Singles, beware: you cannot make it a goal to meet your future life partner. Marriage is not a goal. You can make a goal of doing more beneficial activities that will build more friendships. But falling in love involves another person’s will, and since you can’t control other people, you can’t make marriage a goal.

So go ahead, take some time with God, and set goals for this year or your new season. Find goals that do not depend on external circumstances and that will be accomplished by firmly holding the hand of your Heavenly Father.