90+ Bible Verses for Goal Setting and Dreams

Setting goals can feel spiritually confusing for Christians. Many believers wonder if planning shows faith or reveals doubt in God’s timing. The Bible actually encourages both dreaming big and trusting God completely. 

Scripture is filled with people who set bold goals while depending on divine guidance. These verses show that ambition and surrender aren’t opposites—they work together. God invites us to plan diligently, dream courageously, and trust Him with the outcomes.

90 Bible Verses for Goal Setting and Dreams

• Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
• Proverbs 21:5 – “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
• Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
• Luke 14:28 – “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
• Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
• Proverbs 19:21 – “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
• Proverbs 20:18 – “Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.”
• James 4:13-15 – “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'”
• Proverbs 29:18 – “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
• Habakkuk 2:2-3 – “Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.'”
• Joel 2:28 – “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
• Acts 2:17 – “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
• Genesis 37:5-9 – The story of Joseph’s dreams that eventually came to pass.
• Proverbs 13:4 – “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
• Proverbs 12:24 – “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”
• Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
• Proverbs 10:4 – “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
• Proverbs 14:23 – “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
• 2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.'”
• Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
• Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
• Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
• Psalm 37:4 – “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
• Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
• Matthew 19:26 – “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'”
• Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
• Psalm 20:4 – “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
• Psalm 37:5 – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.”
• 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.”
• Philippians 3:13-14 – “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
• Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
• James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:24 – “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
• 2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
• Hebrews 10:36 – “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
• James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
• Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
• Proverbs 4:7 – “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
• Psalm 32:8 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
• Isaiah 30:21 – “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”
• Proverbs 3:13 – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.”
• Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
• Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
• 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
• Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
• 2 Timothy 1:9 – “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”
• Ephesians 1:11 – “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
• Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
• Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
• Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
• Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
• 1 Chronicles 28:20 – “David also said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.'”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
• Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
• Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
• Psalm 42:5 – “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
• Lamentations 3:25 – “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
• Proverbs 13:12 – “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
• Romans 5:5 – “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
• Psalm 27:13-14 – “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
• Isaiah 40:29-31 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
• Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
• Galatians 6:4-5 – “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”
• Psalm 37:7 – “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
• Romans 8:25 – “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
• 1 John 5:4 – “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
• Romans 8:37 – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
• John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
• Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
• 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
• Isaiah 54:17 – “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 – “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
• Hebrews 12:11 – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
• Proverbs 25:28 – “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
• 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
• Titus 2:11-12 – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
• Joshua 1:8 – “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
• 3 John 1:2 – “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”
• Psalm 1:1-3 – “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”
• Deuteronomy 28:12-13 – “The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The Lord will make you the head, not the tail.”
• Proverbs 16:20 – “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.”
• Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
• Mark 8:36 – “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
• Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
• 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
• Philippians 4:11-12 – “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
• Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”
• Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about setting goals? 

The Bible encourages planning and goal-setting while emphasizing that we should commit our plans to God and remain open to His direction, as seen in Proverbs 16:3 and 16:9.

Is it biblical to have dreams and ambitions? 

Yes, God gives us dreams and desires, but we should align them with His will and seek His kingdom first, trusting that He will provide what we need (Matthew 6:33).

How do I know if my goals align with God’s will? 

Pray for wisdom, study Scripture, seek godly counsel, and pay attention to the peace God gives you when your plans honor Him (James 1:5, Proverbs 15:22).

What if my plans fail or don’t work out? 

Trust that God’s plans are better than ours and He can redirect our paths for our good, even when we face setbacks or closed doors (Proverbs 19:21, Romans 8:28).

Should I stop planning and just let God lead? 

No, the Bible teaches us to plan wisely and work diligently, but to hold our plans loosely and trust God to establish our steps and fulfill His purposes (Proverbs 21:5, James 4:15).

Conclusion

Setting goals and pursuing dreams is not only biblical but encouraged by God, as long as we keep Him at the center of our plans. The Bible provides a beautiful balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty.

Teaching us to work hard, plan carefully, and dream boldly while surrendering everything to God’s perfect will.  Throughout Scripture, we see that God delights in giving His children the desires of their hearts when those desires align with His purposes for our lives.

As you move forward in pursuing your goals and dreams, remember that success is not measured by worldly achievements alone but by faithfulness to God’s calling.