“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

To me, Paul’s advice to the Philippians has more importance since it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. He anticipated their challenges and compiled this list to help them stay focused. Consider Philippians 4:8 as a pointer to how to organize your goals this year. This phrase is translated as “focus your thoughts on these things:” Honesty, fairness, purity, beauty, admirability, excellence, and praiseworthiness in actions and attitudes. Having the right thinking and mindset brings a whole new level of happiness. a change in how we think that permeates our lives and has an impact on those we hold dear.

Yes, I know that life has its ups and downs. The Bible gave us absolute information about this. We have been told that we will continually face adversity, judgment, and persecution. The Bible, however, urges us to stand firm, refocus, trust in the Lord, and persevere.

Regardless of what we face, it is important for us as believers to yearly renew and refocus on our goals according to God’s will and purpose for our lives. The more we focus on the fear and gloom of the world around us, the easier it is to forget the joy of our salvation. “…for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). Nehemiah 8:10 says that being happy in the Lord is what gives you power. “Strength” is a synonym for “defense” in this passage. The peace and contentment that come from putting our faith in Jesus Christ shield us from despair.

By taking the time to Remember, Refocus, Renew, and Reflect, you can turn setbacks into success, or success into more successes. Take time to re-examine your faith in light of current events and answer any questions you have. Ask yourself, “What do I need to do better as a believer in 2023?”

By taking the time to remember the details of the situation or challenge, it will be easier to come up with a better plan of action in 2023 and beyond. It is also helpful to think about the issue from a different perspective and examine different options. Reflecting on the challenge can help to identify potential areas of improvement, as well as uncover any potential stumbling blocks that you may need to overcome. Taking the time to reflect on the issue can help provide a clearer picture of how to best deal with the current challenge. (2 Corinthian 12:9)

Here are some tips to help you Remember, Refocus, Renew, and Rejig your goals for 2023.

Connect with God: Before setting any new goals, or evaluating the old ones, spend time in prayer and talking to God. Ask Him to guide you in setting the right goals and give you the strength and courage to accomplish them. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6). Spend time meditating, praying, and studying scripture to help focus your mind and heart on Jesus and his teachings. This will help you stay on track toward fulfilling your goals and purpose for the year and beyond.

Assess Your Current Progress: Take time to review your goals and determine if they align with your faith. Does your goal reflect the values, teachings, and ideals of Christianity? Do your goals have a direct correlation to fulfilling your Christian mission? Take stock of what you have achieved so far. Take an honest look at your goals and assess where you are with them at the moment. “But let every man prove his work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” (Galatians 6:4)

Make a list of all the goals you’ve set for yourself last year or prior, both short-term and long-term, and determine how much progress you’ve made so far. This will help you identify which goals need more focus and attention. Before you can start, you need to take a look at how far you have come. Analyze what you’ve done since 2020 and consider which goals you have achieved, and which you have yet to work on. With the help of the Holy Spirit, this will provide valuable insight into what you need to focus on for 2023 and beyond.

Make a plan: Set realistic goals. Once you’ve identified your goals, set SMART goals for each one. Be sure to include detailed steps that you can take to achieve the goal. It’s important to set realistic goals in line with God’s will for you so that you feel accomplished whenever you reach them. “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” (Habakkuk 2:2)

Make sure your goals are achievable within the year, but also challenge yourself to reach a bit further than you think you can. Be specific with your objectives so that you can track your progress and celebrate each point you reach. Think about what you want to achieve and build a timeline. This will help you design short-term strategies while keeping in mind your long-term goals. By planning, you can also set goals that are more ambitious and might take more than one year to achieve.

Set Deadlines: Set standards of excellence for yourself. Determine what kind of Christian you want to be and strive to live up to those standards. Establish deadlines for each of your goals. This will help you stay focused and motivated to stay on track. To stick to your goals, you’ll need to establish a timeline.

Ephesians 5:15-16.“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”   Set deadlines and milestones for yourself to help you measure your successes. Having a timeline will also give you something tangible to work towards and help break up the big goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. Make a plan of action for accomplishing your goals. Include specific steps in your plan that you can take to help you stay on track and achieve your objectives.

Prioritize and Plan: Take your goals and prioritize them. Break down each goal into smaller steps and create a plan of action to help you achieve each step. Breaking down big goals into smaller ones will help you stay motivated. Use your time and money wisely. Prioritize what you can do to help those in need.

“So, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalms 90:12).

By seeing small wins as well as bigger leaps, you will be more likely to keep going even if you face difficulties. Setting smaller goals will also provide structure to your planning, so you feel like you have a plan and stick to it.

Track Your Progress: Make sure you monitor your progress and don’t lose focus. Track and review your goals regularly to make sure you’re staying on track. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” (Philippians 3:13)

Stay motivated by celebrating your successes and learning from your failures. Keep track of the small victories and even the setbacks, as they will make it easier to stay on the right track.

Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Find a mentor, join a support group, or connect with an accountability partner to help you stay on track and motivated. Connect with other like-minded people and get advice when you need it. Proverbs 11:14; “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”

Set Rewards: Don’t forget to celebrate your victories, no matter how small. Celebrate things, like new success leaps, new converts through you, baptizing someone, new revelational knowledge of Jesus, and many more. Celebrating these victories will keep you motivated and remind you of how far you have come.

Psalms 103:2: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”. Give yourself rewards when you reach your goals, such as a movie night, thanksgiving in church, or family thanksgiving among others. This will help you stay on track and motivated.

These are just some tips to help you refocus on your goals in 2023 and beyond. Remember to be mindful of your faith and use your resources to serve others. Remaining focused on Jesus and prioritizing prayer, spiritual formation and fellowship will help to keep you encouraged and motivated. Make sure to stay encouraged as you set and work towards your goals according to God’s will for you. Read inspiring books and devotionals and attend conferences or retreats for spiritual growth.

Beloved, I hope you have learned one or two things through this piece, let’s continue the conversation in the comment section. Remain blessed!