How To Be A Woman Goal-Crusher in 2022

If I could sum up the last two years, the word I would use is distraction. The last two years have been the biggest distraction for me; throwing me out of my healthy routine, enabling laziness, creating stress, changing the way I shop and eat, and overshadowing so many of the most important things in life. COVID has demanded center stage, often bumping God off that first place spot in my life; and throwing my life and mind completely out of balance.

So, this year’s goals are going to look a bit different. Sure, I want to lose weight and I want to get my mojo back (like most January goals), but I have so much more to work on simply because I let the negative culture sink too deeply into my mind and body. If you can relate, and you are a woman who really wants to make 2022 the best year possible, then this blog is for you!

I Got Goals!

First, here are 10 of my personal goals for the year

1. Lean out! It is time to dial things back in with my diet (Read 10 Scriptures on Food). I always fluctuate 8-10lbs but I am at the top of that weight and the weight I do carry is a LOT less firm and lean than I am used to. I heard somewhere that the average American gained 29 pounds during COVID. So, I am clearly not alone.
2. Implement structure. One thing COVID did is gave me an excuse to get out of my routine. I have lacked discipline, structure and schedule. This HAS to stop.
3. Wake up earlier. Today was my first day with this goal and I actually woke up with Steve this morning at 4am. Needless to say, I have swept, done dishes, done a Bible study, listened to two bible study podcasts, did a couple of social media posts for work, checked email and put away Steve’s train sets (from Christmas) – all by 7:30am! I feel like a MILLION BUCKS! I have to remember how great I feel when I wake up early!
4. Put God first. I used to have a rule that I wouldn’t check email or social media without first reading or hearing God’s word. Bible study was always first. I got sloppy. No more.
5. Live with more intention. I have to be more intentional. It is so easy to waste the day with business without true productivity. This means I have to start each day seeking God, praying for guidance, creating to-do lists, making a schedule, taking notes and being more aware when I am wasting time doing stupid stuff like the endless scroll online.
6. Practice being a better, more joyfully loving, wife. It is so easy to be the ugliest to the people we love the most. It’s easy to get short, lazy and unappreciative. When I think back to what I almost lost in our marriage in 2013, it whips me back into shape and helps me be the woman I truly desire to be. Steve is a gift from God to me and I need to honor God by loving and honoring him.
7. Honor the Sabbath. This is something that God put on my heart this year. I need to learn to rest and obey God’s command. If it wasn’t important, God wouldn’t have put it in the 10 commandments. I HAVE to learn how to turn work off. It is not a suggestion. It is a command.
8. Invest in relationships. This is something Steve and I have been working on already but we want to continue to improve. Family and friends should always take priority over busy work and selfish desires. Making time for valuable friendships is not only healthy but necessary for anyone walking with the Lord.
9. Practice benevolence. It is so easy to become greedy without being focused on practicing giving. I don’t just mean with money, I mean with everything. Truth is, I think the thing I am most greedy with is my time and my home. I like being alone. I want to learn to be more giving with all the resources God has given me.
10. Live desperate for God. Studying the Bible is one thing but being desperate for Him is a totally different. If I can realize just how much I need Him every second of the day, I will include Him in everything I do – not just Bible study. Living in that divine desperation requires the Holy Spirit and a life constantly aware of God’s presence, guidance, grace, gentle correction, love and salvation. Some of our sweetest times with Jesus are broken and hurting. However, the fact is, we are always broken and never whole without Him.

Goals According to Scripture

Bruce Lee’s quote reminded me of how God has given us seemingly impossible goals. His quote also was a fantastic reminder that impossible goals make us better.

So many people don’t even set goals. Some people set goals but they set goals that really are not that important in light of eternity. Then, you have people (including me at times) who set great goals but forget to be more intentional by purposefully adding Godly goals. That is when Proverbs 31 comes in.

As I reflected on goals this morning it made me think of the virtuous woman. Proverbs gives us a perfect (and balanced) list of goals.

With Proverbs 31 on the brain, I decided to look up some study tools and really camp out on this chapter for a while. I found a great website called “A Virtuous Woman“, along with a free online study guide written by Melissa Ringstaff, a pastor’s wife with an awesome life makeover story. (You can get more study tools at avirtuouswoman.org/10-virtues-of-the-proverbs-31-woman/)

Here was one small section of the study highlighting 10 great virtues; 10 great goals. I hope they inspire you!

The 10 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman

by Melissa Ringstaff

1. FAITH.

She loves Jesus with all of her heart. A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15)

2. MARRIAGE.

She is a faithful bride. A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. But first and foremost she is the bride of Christ. You do not need an earthly husband to be a virtuous woman! (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis 2: 18)

3. MOTHERING.

She is a loving mother and her children call her blessed. A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)

4. HEALTH.

She takes care of her physical, mental, and spiritual health. A Virtuous Woman cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19, Genesis 1: 29, Daniel 1, Leviticus 11)

5. SERVICE.

She serves others with love and kindness. A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)

6. STEWARDSHIP.

She is a wise steward of the gifts God has given her. A Virtuous Woman spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)

7. INDUSTRY.

She is industrious and works with willing hands. A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14)

8. HOMEMAKING.

She is a good manager of her home. A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)

9. TIME.

She spends her time on that which is good. A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 19, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8 )

10. BEAUTY.

She is creative and embraces beauty and godliness. A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. (Proverbs 31: 10, Proverbs 31: 21 – 22, Proverbs 31: 24 -25, Isaiah 61: 10, 1 Timothy 2: 9, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)WHAT AWESOME GOALS FOR 2022 (and life)

Read more: https://avirtuouswoman.org/10-virtues-of-the-proverbs-31…/

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Here’s to being a better YOU in ’22!