Discover 5 Reasons why You May not be Living in God's Purpose
Last week, I identified five (5) signs that you might not be living in God's purpose. Today, we will examine why. Do you still feel stuck, discouraged, or unmotivated? By now, you know that God has a purpose for you. But have you ever felt that no matter how hard you try to live according to His plan, the desire isn't coming alive in your heart?
Today, I want to look at five reasons this might happen and provide practical advice on living in God's purpose for your life. Living a life aligned with God's purpose is a goal you should strive to achieve. However, finding yourself off track and not living up to your full potential in God is common.
Here are five reasons why you might not be living in God's purpose and what you can do to get back on track.
1
Disobedience to God’s Voice
Disobedience to God's voice is a major factor that prevents many from fulfilling their divine purpose. When God speaks, we should listen and obey His instructions. Consequently, disobedience can result in missed opportunities, wasted potential, and dissatisfaction with life.
Living in God's purpose requires faith and trust in His plans. When we go against His will and follow our desires, we undoubtedly lead ourselves away from our intended path. God's purpose may not always be clear, but we must seek and tune in to His voice. This can be done through prayer and reading His word.
Here's the thing: disobedience comes with consequences. We may find ourselves in situations we weren't meant to be in or dealing with problems that were clearly avoidable. It's like driving with a GPS but constantly ignoring the directions; we eventually get lost and have to find our way back to the path. Similarly, when we resist God's voice and direction, we risk straying from His purpose for our lives.
Living in God's purpose means being intentional about your actions and decisions. It means acknowledging His sovereignty and submitting to His will. When you commit to obeying His voice, you position yourself to receive blessings and opportunities that align with His plans. Consciously listen attentively to God's voice and trust that His purpose for your life is ultimately for your good.
The Bible reminds us that disobedience to God's commands can lead us away from His plan for our lives. Deuteronomy 28:15 says, "But if you refuse to listen to the Lord your God and do not obey all the commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overwhelm you." Heed God's voice and follow His commands to live in His purpose fully.
2
Fear
Fear is a natural human response to the unknown and uncertain situations that we encounter in life. However, when fear becomes overwhelming, it can harm our personal and spiritual growth. Many women are prevented from fulfilling God's purpose because of their fears. Their fears make them paralyzed and scare them from taking the slightest risk.
The fear of the unknown is the most common fear known to mankind. We tend to fear the things we don't know or understand. This fear can prevent us from stepping out in faith and pursuing God's plan for our lives. It is important to remember that God is with us always and will never leave or forsake us. We must trust in His plan for our lives, even when we don't understand it.
Fear of failure is another common fear that prevents people from fulfilling God's purpose for their lives. We worry that we will fall short or make mistakes, and this fear often prevents us from even trying. However, failure is a powerful teacher. We can learn valuable lessons from our failures to help us grow and become the people God intended us to be.
Finally, fear of success is the most insidious of all fears. We may worry that success will change us or that we won't be able to handle the responsibilities that come with success. However, success is a gift from God, and if we use it wisely, it can be a blessing to others and ourselves.
2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control. We must overcome our fears and trust God's plan for our lives. When we do, we can achieve great things and make a difference in the world. Let us not be held back by our fears, but instead, let us put our faith in God and allow Him to guide us on the path to fulfilling our purpose.
3
Comparison and Desire to Please Others
Comparison and people-pleasing tendencies can lead you onto a path far from God's plan for your life. In today's society, with the rise of social media, it's easy to fall into the trap of measuring yourself against the seemingly perfect lifestyles of others. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, skewed perspective, and self-doubt.
Also, trying to please others can be a never-ending cycle of seeking validation and approval. People-pleasing tendencies may not necessarily align with your values or beliefs, causing a disconnect between yourself and God. It's essential to recognize that people's opinions and expectations are subjective and can differ vastly from what God has intended for your life.
You are called to put God first and follow His plan. Pleasing God means living according to His commands and will for your life, not society's dictates. This involves prayer, seeking His guidance through His Word, and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your faith.
Yes, comparison and people-pleasing tendencies can harm your spiritual journey. You must recognize their danger and shift your focus to pleasing God and living out His plan. Remember the words of Galatians 1:10, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."
4
Self-Doubt & Procrastination
Self-doubt and procrastination are two stumbling blocks that hinder us from fulfilling our divine purpose. Self-doubt often arises from inadequacy, low self-esteem, and comparison with others. Despite your talents, skills, and experiences, you may still need to be convinced of your ability to succeed in your calling. However, you must remember that God has created you with unique gifts and has called you for a specific purpose. Psalm 139:14 says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Through this recognition, you can gain confidence in your abilities and trust that God has equipped you to accomplish His will.
You may find it easy to put off tasks and delay your commitments until the last minute, leading to a lack of productivity and missed opportunities. However, this approach contradicts the biblical principles of diligence and accountability. Proverbs 10:4 says, "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." Moreover, Ecclesiastes 9:10 reminds us, "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." Through this understanding, you can foster a mindset of productivity, discipline, and purposeful action.
Self-doubt and procrastination are common barriers that may try to hinder you from fulfilling your divine calling. However, you must recognize that God has equipped you with unique talents, abilities, and experiences and that you can accomplish anything through His strength.
This is why you must cultivate a mindset of diligence, discipline, and purposeful action to fulfill your calling and glorify God.
5
You Don’t Know Your Identity in Christ
In my experience, the greatest barrier that prevents a child of God from living their purpose is not knowing their identity in Christ. The concept of identity in Christ refers to understanding your true self as a child of God and fully living out that identity. Many Christians need help with this concept to reach their full potential.
Knowing your identity in Christ is crucial because it sets the foundation for how you view yourself and live your life. With a deep understanding of your identity in Christ, you may avoid defining yourself by your past mistakes, failures, or worldly standards such as career success, material possessions, and social status.
Living without truly understanding your identity in Christ can lead to a purposeless and unfulfilled life. You may feel lost, directionless, and disconnected from God's plan for your life. This can cause you to make poor choices, settle for less than God's best, and miss out on opportunities to impact the world positively.
On the other hand, discovering your identity in Christ can profoundly transform your life. You will begin to see yourself as a beloved child of God with a unique purpose and destiny. This will give you the confidence and courage to pursue your dreams, make positive changes in your life, and impact others for God's Kingdom.
The Bible speaks of this truth repeatedly. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if you are in Christ, you are a new creation. Romans 8:16 states that you are a child of God and heir of His glory. Knowing your identity in Christ means you understand that your worth comes from Him and not from the things of this world. You are loved, chosen, and called to live a life that reflects Christ (1 Peter 2:9).
So, failing to understand your identity in Christ can hinder your ability to live in God's purpose fully, but living a life grounded in your identity in Christ enables you to experience a sense of fulfillment, meaning, and direction that empowers you to fulfill your divine purpose. Invest time to deepen your understanding of who you are in Christ, and allow God to lead you into His perfect plan for your life.
Conclusion
We’ve looked at five reasons you may not be living in God's purpose:
Disobedience to God’s voice
Fear
Comparison and People-pleasing
Self-doubt and Procrastination
Not Knowing Your Identity in Christ.
Even though these factors can hinder you from understanding and following God's plan, you must remember that discovering and living out His purpose is still possible. It just takes some effort to do the challenging work of uncovering your identity in Christ and pushing past any roadblocks. With God's grace on your side, nothing is impossible! Giving Him time to work within you to remove any barriers can open up a new path with greater clarity toward discovering your unique calling.
As you embark on this journey, ask yourself which of these five points resonates with you
the most - which reason would you like to read more about?
Live with purpose today.
Your Sis in Christ,
Brenda
