Evaluating Your 2023
The year 2023 is drawing swiftly to a close. During this time of year, we hear a lot about making goals for the coming year. This is a great exercise to seek to improve yourself spiritually, relationally, and/or physically. However, few people spend time truly reflecting on our past year before launching into our new goals. We can’t truly seek to set new goals without evaluating where we succeeded and failed in the past year.
Here are some reflection questions to help you evaluate your 2023:
What goals did you set for 2023?
In what areas did you achieve success in 2023?
What is something God taught you in 2023?
How did you serve your spouse and family in 2023?
What professional achievements did you have in 2023?
What prayers did God answer in 2023?
What unexpected blessings did you receive in 2023?
What goals were not met in 2023 and why?
What were some unmet desires or expectations you experienced in 2023 and why?
In what areas did you struggle in 2023?
What would you have done differently in 2023 if given a second chance?
What obstacles to achieving your goals did you encounter?
The point to these questions is not to dwell on the past or feel any shame or guilt. Remember that if you have asked the Lord to forgive your shortcomings, He no longer remembers them. However, this exercise can help you remember all the things the Lord did for you this year, as well as identify problem areas that may pop up in 2024, and help you discern God’s will and how He would like to utilize you in 2024 in the relationships and positions that He has given to you. I encourage you to pray and really seek God’s will for your 2024 before putting pen to paper for your 2024 goals.
I pray you all have a wonderful year and that you continue to grow in your knowledge of, love for, and personal relationship with, our Savior Jesus Christ!