What Drives Your Goals?

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

My dear friend and former colleague, Dr. Jay Sloop, once told me a story that has stuck with me for quite a few years. The Yakima 35^th Avenue church had an annual health program called “Guard Your Heart.” This was an eight-week lifestyle program that included physical, mental, and spiritual components. They also conducted an annual multi-week cooking class. Both of these programs were well attended by the community. Many people came more than once and brought friends the second and third time.

One day, Dr. Sloop was riding his unicycle and a woman getting out of her parked car waved to stop him. She looked vaguely familiar to him and he immediately recognized her name when she introduced herself. She had attended several health programs at the church but had never been able to make lasting lifestyle changes. She now looked wonderful and he told her so. She glowed and told him all the things she was doing and the great results she was having. He then asked her what happened — why was she finally able to make the changes she knew she needed to make? Her smile broadened and she pulled something out of her purse. She held up a picture of a beautiful baby and said “I want to be around for my grandchildren and I knew I wouldn’t be if I didn’t do something different.”

Dr. Sloop told me that he believed we only make big positive changes in our lives for one of two reasons — fear and love. Fear, triggered by a cancer diagnosis or a heart attack, can be a major motivating factor. Looking death in the face causes most people to reevaluate their priorities. Love is an even stronger motivation. Our relationships with family and close friends are more important than nearly anything else. We want to protect them from pain, loss, and hardship. We want to share special times with them. Knowing God loves me unconditionally and loving Him in return provides additional motivation to make choices that help preserve that relationship. 

Scripture says “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) I think that is why love is the best motivator. Fear fades away in the light of love. Are your personal goals motivated by love?

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries.

Photo by Bram. on Unsplash.