7 Ways to Find Your Purpose, So You Can Live Doing What You Love!
Have you ever found yourself feeling lost, unfulfilled, or unsure of your purpose in life? You're not alone. Many people struggle with the challenge of finding their purpose and living a life they love. But the good news is that it's never too late to discover you what God has placed you on this earth to do. In this blog post, I share my personal struggle with finding purpose and explore 7 ways to find your purpose so you can live doing what you love! Get ready to be inspired and empowered on this journey of self-discovery.
My Quest for Renewed Passion
to Live with Purpose
As a devoted teacher with over two decades of experience in the field of education, I never predicted that the day would come when I would lose my passion for teaching young people. For years I had invested so much of my time, energy, and heart into the classroom, but when I arrived to teach every morning, my spirit felt worn, empty, and purposeless. I had given everything to my students but somewhere along the way, I had lost sight of my own growth and development.
It was a difficult realization to come to terms with. For years, teaching had been my identity, my purpose, my fulfillment. My days had been filled with grading papers, answering student emails, managing lesson plans, and collaborating with colleagues. But as the years passed, I felt like a clock winding down. Each day became increasingly exhausting, and I found myself searching for meaning in other areas of my life.
I remember vividly the moment when I knew something had to change. I was sitting in a department meeting, listening to other teachers discuss their lesson plans with enthusiasm and energy. But I felt stripped of any creative spark, any meaningful contribution to the discussion. My colleagues excitedly discussed new teaching methods and ways to engage their students, but I couldn't keep up. It was as if I were on a different wavelength, witnessing a conversation I had no part in.
However, even in the midst of my struggle, I never lost my faith or my hope. I knew God had a plan for me, and I had to trust that He would reveal it, even if I couldn't see it yet. With the help of a mindset coach and much prayer, I began to take small steps toward discovering God's purpose for me at that season of my life.
Gradually, I began to feel my heart and mind awaken. I recommitted myself to discovering and pursuing my passion for teaching. I remembered how much I loved teaching and how I had so much more to give. I began to hone my skills, reinvigorate my passion and purpose, and reinstate my calling as a teacher. What I discovered was that God wanted me to continue teaching but in a different capacity.
Today, I help Christian women ignite their passion and confidence to live with purpose. I am grateful that my journey led me to the discovery of my renewed passion for teaching. Each day, I wake up feeling energized and inspired, knowing that I have a meaningful role in helping my fellow sisters embrace their purpose so that they can live a fulfilled life. I have found my purpose again, and I am comforted knowing that even in the darkest of moments, my faith and trust in God sustained me through it all.
It took soul-searching and evaluating my life and little to no passion for what I was doing to make me realize that I was not live to God’s ultimate calling on my life.
You can do the same. It may take praying, reflecting, and investing in coaching to help you see where you are and where God is calling you to reach. If you are where I was, you are not alone. You have a Sis who can help you get there.
Let’s explore the 7 ways to find your purpose, so you can live doing what you love.
1
Embrace the Challenge of Finding
Your Purpose
One of the biggest challenges in finding your purpose is simply feeling lost and unfulfilled. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine of life, without ever stopping to consider what truly brings us joy and fulfillment. Many people find themselves questioning if there is more to life than just going through the motions.
Searching for direction can be a challenge when it comes to discovering your purpose. There are countless paths you can take in life, which can be overwhelming when trying to determine where your true passions lie. It often takes time and self-reflection to figure out what truly drives us.
Additionally, navigatin.g society's expectations can make it difficult for you to pursue your passions and interests. Society often puts pressure on you to follow a certain career path or achieve specific milestones by a certain age, which may not align with your true desires or talents.
It's important for you when seeking your purpose not only to trust your own instincts but also to seek support from loved ones who encourage you to fulfill activities that provide meaning and joy. Finding your purpose requires patience and persistence as each journey will differ based on unique circumstances such as personality traits, natural talent and skill sets along with experiences gained over time that shape aspirations and values.
2
Understand Your Gifts and Talents
We are all born with unique gifts and talents that we can use to bring joy and purpose into our lives. However, it's not always easy to identify what those gifts are. Thankfully, the Bible offers guidance on how we can discover and embrace our individual talents.
One verse that supports this idea is 1 Peter 4:10 which says, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." This reminds us that our gifts are meant to be shared with others and used for the greater good.
Romans 12:6 also emphasizes the importance of embracing our individuality by saying, "We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us." This means that no two people were created exactly alike and therefore, we should celebrate our differences rather than try to conform or compare ourselves to others.
So how do you identify your unique gifts? Self-reflection is an important first step. Think about activities or tasks that come easily or naturally for you. What brings you joy? What do others often compliment you on?
Assessing feedback from others can also be helpful. Ask trusted friends or family members what they see as your strengths or talents.
Sometimes it takes an outside perspective for us to recognize what comes naturally.
Experimenting with new activities can help uncover hidden passions or skills. Take a class in something completely different than your usual hobbies and see if it sparks any interest.
Remember, discovering your gifts may take time and patience but embracing them will lead you down a path towards fulfillment and purpose in life!
3
Overcome Fear
Fear is a natural human emotion that can hold you back from pursuing your purpose. I’ve learned when we fear failure or judgment, it can be paralyzing and prevent us from taking the necessary steps to achieve our goals.
I have experienced fear while pursuing my own purpose. The fear of failure has often crept in, causing me to doubt myself and my abilities. At times, I have also feared judgment from others who may not understand or support my vision. Yes, I know too well about allowing fear to hold me back. For years, I wanted to write books, but I was too afraid to put myself out there. When I started posting on social media, I never showed my face. I was too afraid to allow others to see the real me. Even when I did show my face, I used filters that altered my appearance. Today, I am no longer afraid to put myself out there. I am well on my way of overcoming the fears that were holding me back.
How did I do it? Glad you ask!
To overcome these fears, it is important to identify any limiting beliefs that are holding us back. These beliefs may stem from past experiences or negative self-talk and need to be addressed head-on.
Reframing negative thoughts is another effective way to conquer fear. Instead of focusing on potential failures or criticisms, we can shift our mindset towards positive outcomes and opportunities for growth.
Practicing gratitude is also a powerful tool in overcoming fear. By acknowledging the blessings in our lives and expressing gratitude for them, we shift our focus away from anxiety-inducing thoughts towards positivity and abundance.
Conquering fear requires intentional effort and a willingness to face uncomfortable emotions head-on. With courage and perseverance, we can overcome our fears and pursue our purpose with confidence.
4
Seek Guidance from God
When it comes to finding your purpose in life, seeking guidance from God is essential. The Bible provides us with many verses that remind us of the importance of trusting in God's plan for our lives. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Through prayer, you can communicate your desires to God while also asking for His will to be done.
Moreover, meditating on God's Word is a powerful tool for seeking guidance. By immersing yourself in Scripture and reflecting on its teachings, you can gain clarity about what direction you should take. Psalm 37:4 reminds us to delight ourselves in the Lord so that He may give us the desires of our hearts.
Bible study is another way to seek guidance from God as you learn more about who He is and His plans for humanity. As you read and analyze Scripture under the guidance of teachers or mentors who share similar faith principles as yours, you are better equipped to discern His will.
Seeking guidance from God involves an intentional commitment through prayerful communication with Him by meditating deeply on scripture together with consistent bible studies or engagements within a community or fellowship of believers who share similar values as you do.
5
Take Action
James 2:17 says that faith without works is dead. It's not enough to just have a dream or desire; you must take steps towards making it a reality.
One way to do this is by setting goals. Goals give direction and help break down the big picture into manageable pieces. It's important to make sure your goals are SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
Create a plan. A plan helps organize the steps needed to achieve your goals and provides a roadmap for progress. When creating your plan, be flexible and willing to adjust as necessary.
Celebrate small victories along the way to motivate you toward achieving bigger goals. These celebrations don't have to be extravagant but can be as simple as giving yourself credit for overcoming a hurdle or accomplishing something on your list.
Remember that taking consistent action is key in finding your purpose. As Philippians 4:13 states," I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." With God's strength and guidance, you are capable of taking intentional steps towards living out your purpose every day.
6
Surround Yourself with a Supportive Community
Hebrews 10:24-25 states that we must encourage one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 also highlights the value of having people by our side, saying that two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.
Being part of a supportive community brings many benefits. It provides encouragement when you face challenges or doubts about your purpose. Community members can offer words of affirmation and support during difficult times. Accountability is key in ensuring that you stay on track with your goals. With others checking up on you regularly, it motivates you to keep going and push through tough moments. If you are looking for a free faith-based community of women to belong to, SDA Sisters Care on Facebook, invites you to join.
Mentorship from more experienced individuals in your desired field can be invaluable as they provide guidance based on their own experiences. While coaches and mentors may charge for their time and expertise, I’ve found they are worth very penny. They can share insights into what worked well for them and help avoid common pitfalls because they were where you are right now.
Surrounding yourself with a supportive community creates an environment where you feel safe to pursue your passions while receiving the necessary assistance along the way.
7
Live Doing What You Love!
I believe that God has given each of us unique talents and abilities, and it is our responsibility to use them to make a positive impact in the world. When we live doing what we love, we not only enrich our own lives, but we also have the potential to inspire and uplift others.
Living doing what you love is not always easy, but it is always worth it. I know from personal experience that the road to pursuing my passions has been filled with challenges, setbacks, and even some failures. However, I also know that through it all, God has been with me every step of the way. When you trust in God and lean on His strength, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve your dreams.
Ultimately, living doing what we love is about living a life of purpose and meaning. It is about using our gifts to serve others and make a difference in the world. As a Christian woman, I am inspired by the example of Jesus, who dedicated His life to serving others and making a positive impact on the world. When you follow in His footsteps and live doing what you love, you can experience true fulfillment and leave a lasting legacy that honors God and blesses others.
you can experience true fulfillment and leave a lasting legacy that honors God and blesses others.
Finding Your Purpose is a Journey
Finding your purpose is a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and faith. It involves understanding your gifts and talents, overcoming fear, seeking guidance from God, taking action and surrounding yourself with supportive community.
To recap the 7 ways to find your purpose:
Embrace the challenge of finding your purpose
Understand your gifts and talents
Overcome fear
Seek guidance from God
Take action
Surround yourself with supportive community
Live doing what you love
Today, I challenge you to pursue purpose in every area of life so that you can live a fulfilling life full of joy and satisfaction.
Remember that seeking guidance from God through prayer, Bible study, and meditating on His word should be at the center of everything we do.
May these steps guide you towards discovering your unique path in life filled with passion as you fulfill God's will for your life!
Live with purpose today.
Your Sis in Christ,
Brenda
