Biblical Wisdom for Personal Growth Goals

Genesis 1:1, the first words in the Bible, say that “in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God made everything; He was there at the start. As God was there at the start, He is with us in all our beginnings as God is a God of new beginnings.

New beginnings can be scary and challenging but often needed by choice or circumstance. At times, life dictates a shift in what we have become comfortable with, whether it be a move due to a job loss, learning to navigate life without a spouse due to a death, or you may decide to make changes to improve your life.

Are you tired? Do you feel lost or stuck? Do you know there are things in your life that are not pleasing to God? Do you want to make changes but don’t know where to begin? Developing personal growth goals can help.

What are personal growth goals? Setting personal growth goals helps you increase your potential, often moving you out of your comfort zone by recognizing your shortcomings and failures. You must work to improve in these areas and become all that God created you to be. Personal growth occurs by developing new skills, habit building or breaking, and improving your mindset, not by glorifying yourself but by God.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. – James 1:5-8, NLT

Wisdom found in the Bible can serve as a compass to guide you on your journey of personal growth; providing you with the necessary tools to help you navigate.

God’s Word is your plumbline for growth

Change is necessary for growth but challenging; look to God’s Word for direction. “The word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12, NLT) The Word of God penetrates our souls. Reading and studying the Bible gives insight and guidance by understanding God’s character and His ways more fully.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23, NLT

The first three virtues, love, joy, and peace, describe our personal experience with God. At the same time, patience, kindness, and goodness are outward expressions that affect our relationships.

Finally, faithfulness (trustworthiness), gentleness (humility), and self-discipline affect our personal development. If you notice, this verse says “fruit,” not fruits, because there is unity in these virtues that refine character. Living out the fruit of the spirit shows Christ’s presence.

Each fruit is a plumbline for growth in your life. Heart transformation occurs by cultivating your relationship with Jesus and focusing on His Word. Therefore, equipping you with your personal growth. Consider the following verse:

The way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. – Colossians 1:10, NLT

Mind renewal is shown by the fruit that we bear. By renewing your mind, your thinking aligns with God’s will, not the world’s.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2, NLT

Trust in God

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. The Lord has made everything for his own purposes… – Proverbs 16:3-4, NLT

Seek God and trust His plan when formulating personal growth goals to help you achieve a more fulfilling life of purpose and joy. Growth is continual and ongoing, and there are no shortcuts. While growth can be hard or even painful it is always beneficial. Not running from the pain, or challenges that often accompany growth perfects us.

It is helpful to look at the big picture – the goal you want to achieve – and then break it down into smaller, manageable pieces. If all you have is the end goal, the task may appear overwhelming or daunting, but if you have intermittent goals, the end goal seems more achievable.

For example, I am not an athlete; I never was and never will be. In college, I needed four semesters of physical education. My husband convinced me we should take Jog for Fitness. On the first day of class, the coach announced that we would be required to participate in the Cowtown 10K at the end of the semester.

The coach set goals for our training as a class in the time and distance we would run each week, gradually increasing until we were prepared for our 10K in November. I am happy to report that I participated and finished the 10K (not obtaining any records). While I wanted to quit that first day as the task seemed too daunting setting smaller goals made it obtainable.

Let God transform you

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then, you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2, NLT

The world focuses on the small story of self. What can I do for me? Christians should focus on the larger story or a kingdom perspective where personal growth is not self-improvement for your own sake. Ask God to show you how the changes you need to make will benefit others. What areas of my life do I need to surrender or improve to serve the Kingdom, grow in Christlikeness, and love others?

The Lord will assist you in determining the areas in which you need to work. He will guide you if you seek Him for guidance and confirmation.]

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” – Psalms 32:8, NLT

Growth is necessary

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. – John 16:33, NLT

This verse shows that we are not promised life will be easy. That is why growth is necessary to ride the waves of life with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. – Philemon 1:6, NLT

This improvement happens on the inside and overflows outward to influence those around you. When you improve yourself and your circumstances with Christ and follow His commands, you affect those around you. This is seen through improved relationships and others seeing Christ in you by being a light in the darkness.

God is with you

As stated, personal growth can be challenging, even scary. Requiring self-awareness and surrender. Self-awareness to determine areas of development and surrender to let go of idols or areas that are holding you back from being who God created you to be. But take hold of what

This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9, NLT

You are not alone on your journey of personal growth, “for I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13, NLT. With Him, we have an inner strength that gives us hope, which fuels growth.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. – Galatians 6:9, NLT

Maintaining your personal growth goals and staying the course can be challenging.

Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand. – Isaiah 41:10, NLT

Remember that in all things God is with you, holding you up. He desires your growth; therefore, He will renew your strength.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.– Isaiah 40:31, NLT

It’s never too late

When you are desperate or worn out from the trials of life, move toward God and away from prideful independence. Focus on Jesus to gain a Kingdom perspective, not relying on oneself but leaning into Christ for direction and guidance, letting go of your timeline, and waiting on God’s timing.

When working on personal growth, you must be aware of the change that needs to happen in your life, whether it be your marriage, parenting, breaking patterns of sin, or your walk with God. Establish goals that give you something to strive for.

We will never arrive on this side of Heaven; there will always be things to work on and improve, but things can be better, and life can be fulfilling. Tap into Biblical wisdom for your personal growth goals. It’s never too late to start. Contact a Christian counselor if you need help establishing your personal growth plan.