This year my theme word is surrender as I realize one of the main things that robs me of the joy I’m chasing is worrying about things that I cannot control. I need to surrender those things to God. Scripture is going to help me do that.
As I develop goals through the year I am keeping my word, surrender, in mind. One of the first goals I came up with is a practical way I can shift my thoughts and surrender when worry starts to rear it’s ugly head. Before I tell you what the goal is I’ll tell you what made me think of it. Bill Cosby! Do you believe that??? LOL
We all know the trouble Bill Cosby is in. Weather you agree or disagree with the rape allegations we can all agree that he engaged in some behaviors that are inconsistent with the clean cut, Dr. Huxtable, image that he projected. Well, every time I would see something in the news about him I would think “what you do in the dark will come to the light”. I knew this was from a scripture. When I looked it up it is from Luke 8:17 which says “”For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” When talking to my mom about Cosby I told her about recalling that message and I thought if only I would think up scriptures whenever I thought about other negative things and then I had my idea for one of my goals for this year.
One of my goals for 2016 is to memorize scripture. I’d like to do one every week but some scriptures take longer than others. We are about four weeks into the new year and I am up to three scriptures so far. I don’t have them down 100% yet but I’ll keep practicing. My hope is that when I find myself worrying or engaging in other types of negative self talk I can instead recall a scripture that fits the situation.
Here are the three I’ve been working on so far:
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Spiritual practice is one of the pillars I use to Chase Joy. This goal of memorizing scripture will help me manage my tendency towards worry and quite my negative thoughts. I hope to have at least 40 memorize by the end of the year. Good goal are SMART Goals: specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time sensitive. My goal of memorizing scriptures is definitely SMART.
Have you set any goals for 2016? Are they SMART? How will your goals help you chase joy Have you ever memorized scripture? How does your spiritual practice help you chase joy?
That's so awesome that you are able to find a way to bring peace and happiness in your life. Hope you have a great weekend!
Goal setting is a great tool. I track my goals on my calendar and notebooks
I love this goal. Thanks for holding me accountable to what I said I would do after attending Steve Harvey's conference last year. Last year, he talked about how people would criticize him and judge him because he still curses. He explained that not only is God not through with him yet (LOL), but that he used 4 scriptures that he memorized and those are the scriptures that got him to where he is today. I'm sure there's a YouTube video of that clip somewhere. But it was powerful. I love the word surrender…surrender to His word and the promises within.
Surrender is an awesome theme! And as a researcher, I love the use of SMART goals! Best of luck
That's a great goal! I need to step my game up on my memorization of scripture. My mother puts me to shame. Seems like she knows the Bible back and forth! lol
My goal for this year is to focus on my health and stay on track for my weight loss goal. I use an app to read a scriptural text everyday along with a brief comment on H to make practical application of the verse/s
Really great scriptures! I love Philippians 1:6 this is gonna have to be a daily mantra of mines now!
For a whole year I would recite Ephesians 4:29 when I felt the need to say something that wouldn't be productive. It truly changed my outlook and behavior. Applying scripture to daily life is so essential for focus and discipline.
Sounds like you've got great inspiration to make it a wonderful and joyful year. I wouldn't have thought I could learn a whole lot about chasing joy from Bill Cosby's trouble!
I think it is very healthy to keep your mind active by memorizing information.
Plus, the positiveness of the message delivered at the time when needed is valuable.
I have a variety of goals for the year. I would certainly refer to them as smart goals.
The Word is our promise and like the American Express card we shouldn't leave home without it. This year my word/promise is Isaiah 43;19-21 God is doing a NEW thing,…NOW it springs forth. I too realize that the things that I worry about or fear have no place where God is taken me. For me a New thing is my mind, the renewing of my mind. Thanks for sharing and Keep on letting God Bless YOU!
I like to learn the word too, so I can call on it when I need it. More often than not, it helps!!
I'm so glad that you were able to incorporate this into your life! It's good to have a great theme for the year as well.
I think it is awesome that you have found a way to include your spirituality in your every day life. It is important that we all stay grounded with the ideals we hold close.
I cannot quote scriptures. It hasn't been something that I ever really felt the need to do. I have been art journaling and just found an old bible I am going to use for bible art journaling. So, maybe I will pick one up here and there.
I don't really know a lot of scriptures off the top of my head, but I have been lacking on nurturing my spiritual side.
It is very freeing to let go of what you can't control.
My goals for this year include a lot of blog growth. I am not a spiritual person but still try to live a life of peace, acceptance, understanding and love.
I'm not a religious gal, but I find my values in Shakespeare. He teaches us to be wary of our surroundings and practice love – pretty much Christian values!
I have heard so many people say that scripture helps them in their lives. I think this is wonderful.
I am so happy you have found a way to incorporate this into your every day life.
Oh and, it's funny how I can minister to others in an instant but often can't convince myself to stop all the worrying.
Jay of http://www.relaxedthairapy.com
I cannot quote a ton of scriptures but I know enough from the bible to encourage someone in need. My personality isn't the scripture quoting type. I more of a relate to someone through convo. I desire to read the bible from cover to cover though.
Jay of http://www.relaxedthairapy.com
Scripture can really help keep you grounded. It's the foundation on which everything is built for believers.
It's a great idea to set concrete goals like this! Keep up the good work.
I admire I admire the individual who can confidently quote scriptures! Thanks for sharing!
This is awesome. I often have trouble applying scripture to my every day life and this is an awesome way to use it in a more practical way.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
I'm so glad that the holy spirit has saw fit to humble me privately and not publicly, at least not in a long while (knocks on wood). Almost every time I feel like I'm in the wrong on something, a still voice in my head checks me and gets me together. Great reminder for us to be mindful of and accountable for our actions, and not to get so full of ourselves that we end up getting "humbled out loud."