Common lies Christians believe about their purpose and how to trust God’s purpose for your life

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Hey, friend! If you’re feeling lost and unsure about your purpose in life, constantly comparing yourself to others, or feeling like you’re not living up to society’s expectations, the good news is, you’re not alone!

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, only 47% of U.S. adults say they have a clear idea of what their own purpose in life is. Woof, that’s grim :/

So what’s a gal to do?

As Christian women seeking to live on purpose for the Kingdom, I find it’s easy for us to fall into the trap of believing lies about our purpose. We’re bombarded by messages telling us we need to find our calling, live our best life, and fulfill our dreams.

But what does the Bible say about our purpose? And how can we find God’s specific purpose for our lives?

In this blog post, we’ll explore:

1. Common lies Christian women believe about their purpose
2. What the Bible says about our purpose
3. How to trust God’s purpose for our lives.

The Pressure to Have It All Figured Out

As Christian women, we often feel pressure to have it all figured out. We’re bombarded with messages from society telling us that we need to have successful careers, perfect families, and picture-perfect lives. We feel like we have to know our purpose and have a clear path to achieving it, or else we’re not living up to our full potential.

Sound about right?

Let’s uncover some common lies about our purpose that can hold us back from trusting in God’s plan for our lives. We’ll both dive into these lies and discover the biblical truths that will help us trust in His purpose.

Lie #1: You have to find your calling to have a fulfilling life.

It took me a while to identify the big kahuna of lies we’re often wrestling in the background of our soul: We must have a “calling” in order to live a fulfilling life.

This notion is often perpetuated by church culture, which emphasizes the importance of discovering one’s calling or vocation. While it’s true that having a sense of purpose can bring fulfillment, this idea can also create anxiety and pressure to find that one “perfect” thing that we were meant to do.

The truth is that our purpose is not limited to a single calling or career path. Instead, God’s plan for our lives is multifaceted and includes various roles and responsibilities. Whether we’re called to be a teacher, stay-at-home mom, a business owner, or something else entirely, we can find purpose in serving others and bringing glory to God in whatever we do.

Lie #2: Your purpose is to be happy and successful.

Does this sound familiar: our purpose in life is to be happy and successful. This idea is often reinforced by popular culture, which tells us that we should pursue our dreams, follow our hearts, and do whatever makes us happy.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with seeking happiness and success, these things should not be our ultimate purpose in life. The Bible tells us that our purpose is to glorify God and to love and serve others. This means that our focus should be on fulfilling God’s will for our lives, even if it means sacrificing our own desires or ambitions.

Lie #3: Your purpose is something you have to figure out on your own.

Feel like you have to find your purpose all on your own. This common lie can lead to feelings of confusion and frustration, as we try to discern God’s will for our lives through our own efforts.

However, the truth is that God has already revealed His plan for us in His Word. By studying the Bible and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can gain a clearer understanding of God’s purpose for our lives—spoiler: it will always be about reflecting His glory to the world, not our own.

Additionally, we can seek the advice and wisdom of trusted mentors and friends who can help us discern God’s will and provide accountability and support. Ultimately, our purpose is not something we have to figure out on our own, but something that is revealed to us.

Lie #4: Your purpose is based on your career or accomplishments.

We live in a society that values success and achievement…duh. We’re taught that our worth is based on what we do and how well we do it. And as a result, it’s not hard to see why many of us believe our purpose in life is tied to our career or accomplishments.

In a survey by LifeWay Research, 59% of women in the United States said they felt pressure to be perfect, and 67% said they felt pressure to meet certain standards.

Um…no! That’s not okay, sis…

Ready to live on purpose?

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The truth is, our purpose is not defined by our job title or our achievements. Our purpose is to glorify God from right where we are—no hoop jumping required!

We can fulfill this purpose whether we’re a teacher, nurse, student, or daughter. We have the assurance that our purpose is not determined by society’s standards or even our own expectations, but by God’s plan for our lives.

Trusting in Him and obeying His guidance can bring a sense of security, worthiness, and freedom to adjust and pivot as needed.

Trusting God’s Purpose for Your Life: Biblical Truths About Our Purpose

Now that we’ve identified some of the common lies Christian women believe about their purpose, let’s dive into what the Bible says about our purpose.

It can be easy to get caught up in society’s standards of success and happiness, but God has a unique plan for each of us that goes beyond what the world may expect of us.

Our purpose is to glorify God.

First and foremost, our purpose as Christians is to glorify God. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul writes, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

This means that every aspect of our lives should be lived in a way that brings honor and glory to God. We can glorify God by sharing the gospel, using our talents and abilities to build His kingdom, and living a life that reflects His character.

Our purpose is to love and serve others.

In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus is asked which commandment is the greatest. He responds, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” But he doesn’t stop there. He goes on to say, “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

As women of faith, our purpose is not only to love God but also to love and serve others. We can do this in countless ways, whether it’s by volunteering at a local charity, reaching out to a neighbor in need, or simply being kind and compassionate to those around us.

Our purpose is to fulfill God’s plan for our lives.

In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse reminds us that God has a specific plan for our lives, and it’s up to us to seek His guidance and follow His leadership.

This doesn’t mean that we have to know every step of the journey or have a clear picture of what our future holds. Rather, it means trusting in God’s goodness and sovereignty, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

Our purpose is to bear fruit.

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Our purpose is to bear fruit – that is, to live a life that is marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit and produces good works. This doesn’t mean that we have to be perfect or that we have to earn our salvation through good deeds.

Rather, we get to reflect the love and grace of Christ, and that we should seek to do good works as a response to His grace.

Understanding these biblical truths about our purpose can help us navigate the pressures and expectations of the world. We can trust that God has a plan for our lives, and we can seek to glorify Him and love others in all that we do.

Trusting God’s Purpose for Your Life: How to Find It

While we don’t need to find God’s specific purpose for our lives, it can be helpful to have a better understanding of how God has created us, and what we can do in response to that calling.

Seek God’s guidance.

When we seek His guidance above our priorities, we place ourselves in right relationship with Christ. This can be done through prayer, reading the Bible, and spending time in worship and fellowship with other believers.

Through the Spirit, we can ask God to reveal His plan for our life and to give us wisdom and discernment as we seek to follow His leading.

Use your gifts and talents.

God has given each of us unique gifts and talents that we can use to serve others and bring glory to Him.

Take some time to reflect on what you’re good at and what brings you joy. Where have you struggled, and what has that yielded in you? What questions do people ask you already?

How can you use those gifts and talents to serve others and build God’s kingdom? Make a list and offer it up to God. Pro tip: start with where you are, not where you think you should be or where you want to be. God is faithful to bless our obedience, not our pride.

Listen to wise counsel.

Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed”. Seek wise and trusted advisors who can offer you guidance and support as you seek to live a life that honors God.

This can include mentors, pastors, or close friends who share your faith and have experience and wisdom to share.

Be intentional about your relationships.

As human beings, we’re created to be in relationship with one another. We need the support, encouragement, and accountability of others as we seek to live out our faith.

Be intentional about building and nurturing relationships with other believers who can walk alongside you on your spiritual journey. This can include joining a small group or Bible study, serving in your church or community, or simply reaching out to others and building relationships one-on-one.

Stay rooted in the Word of God.

Finally, the most important step in living a life that honors God is to stay rooted in His Word. The Bible is our guidebook for life, and it contains everything we need to know to live a life that is pleasing to God, not perfect to us.

Make a daily habit of reading and studying the Bible, and ask God to speak to you through His Word. Allow His truth to shape your thoughts, attitudes, and actions (He is our conscience), and let it guide you as you seek to live a life that brings glory to Him.

Final Thoughts

Now that we know the truth about our purpose and what the Bible says about it, how can we trust in God’s purpose for our lives? Here are some practical steps we can take today:

Trust Him and not the standards of the world.

We live in a society that values success, fame, and fortune. But those things aren’t what truly matter.

Instead of striving to meet the world’s standards, we need to trust in God’s plan for our lives and focus on doing His will.

Obey what He’s called you to do right now.

We don’t have to have our whole lives figured out to start living out our purpose. God has called us to serve Him from right where we are.

Be intentional about seeking God’s will.

This can be done in a number of ways like using your gifts and talents to serve others, seeking wise counsel, building intentional relationships, and staying rooted in the Word of God.

As we do these things, we can trust that God will guide us and enable us to live lives that bring glory to Him.

Hi-ya! I’m Monet, an accidental business owner and Founder of Purposed Box. I help women shift their mindset from their brokenness being a liability to the Kingdom, to leveraging it to live on purpose for it—2 Corinthians 1:3-4 style!

Monet lives in Alabama with her best friend and husband, Josh. Together they’re raising two kiddos in a house full of noise, crumbs, and many baskets of clean, but unfolded laundry.