Desiring Purpose
Lately it seems that so many people around me are struggling with identifying their purpose, understanding why things are happening in their life, and how to overcome the obstacles placed on their path. Just this week I’ve had five people come to me regarding their fears, asking me to pray with/for them, or encourage them through hard times. Literally, in a span of 4 days 5 people have shared different stories with the same conflict.
This breaks my heart because I know what it feels like to wonder why life is hitting you so hard, to search for hope and feel as though there is none, and to question if you have what it takes to press forward. At some point, life will do its very best to try and get the best of you…don’t let it!
Each and every one of us was created on purpose and for a purpose. Giving up now would not only be an injustice to yourself but it would stop the world from experiencing the gift that you were intended to share. Just because you don’t know what your gift is right now or because you aren’t sure how to actually fulfill your purpose doesn’t mean that you aren’t valuable. It means that you have to dig deeper, allow yourself to be quiet, and listen to the little voice that will reveal this to you. Do your research, make a to-do list and act on this list, surround yourself with like-minded people, and most importantly NEVER give up! There will be hard days, weeks, and sometimes even months. But, ever experience and every bit of “construction” that we encounter is growing us, molding us, and preparing us to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. We just have to keep fighting while trusting that it will definitely get better.
Just think, less than a month ago I was coming to the end of a very rough patch. I’d lost over 20 pounds from being so sick, missed more days of work than actual days worked, I found out that I had Crohn’s, had two procedures, AND got diagnosed with Shingles…UM? Hope? I wasn’t sure there was any while going through all of this. I cried a lot, I hated the way that I looked; I questioned if I truly had purpose and wondered how I’d ever be able to live it out because this bumpy road seemed never ending…but here we are on the other side. I am stronger mentally, physically and emotionally because not only was my health an issue, but my faith was being tested. These two factors were a catalyst in my emotional growth. Had I not gone through everything I’m positive that the advice I provided to the people that reached out to me wouldn’t have been received well. You see, all of my trials was preparing me to better live out my purpose. My struggles enabled me to better encourage and uplift others through their difficult times.
I am now speaking from experience of feeling purposeless, while at the same time knowing deep down what my purpose was. Of feeling like God doesn’t love me while still holding on to His promise to never leave nor forsake me. I was angry with everyone around me even those who are trying to help me because…well I don’t even know why. I was just mad, lol. I get it, I’ve felt every emotion that there is to feel at one point in the last few months, but once you reach the other side the reward is absolutely amazing. The strength you gain from knowing that you’ve experienced an all-time low prepares you for the next bit of construction that you may face. This is all trial and error, we just have to do our best to make the most of the cards we’ve been dealt and promising ourselves that we will never give up.
Tips to encourage yourself and live a life of purpose:
1. Journal – Journaling not only allows you to get quiet, it allows you time to organize your thoughts on paper.
2. Affirm – Affirmations provide strength to your day, to your life. Saying affirmations daily and sharing them with others has added a new level of strength and positivity into my life. You are basically speaking order over our life and your day.
3. Serve – Serving others adds a great deal of value to life. Not only does it help someone get ahead, but it also shows you what makes you happy. Biggest take away is gaining experience in an area that may be unfamiliar to you. This develops you to live a life of purpose and gain hands on experience. Always be open and willing to ask someone “How can I help you?” people appreciate this so much and are more willing to return the favor down the line.
4. Give Thanks – Thank God for EVERYTHING, ALWAYS! The good, the bad and the ugly are all molding you. Remembering to say thank you to your friends, family and loved ones helps a lot as well. Everyone wants to feel appreciated especially if you don’t thank them often. Maybe just say “thank you for being awesome and consistent in my life.”
5. Plan – live on purpose. At the beginning of the year I set my goals and I started breaking them down quarterly and sharing them with others to hold them accountable. Seeing how much I accomplished this year just by writing out what I wanted to happen in my life was mind blowing. Within the last month I’ve started breaking down my task, goals and accomplishments by small weekly to-do list to become more intentional about accomplishing the things I desire in life and I’ve grown and advanced so much!!! Before you couldn’t get me to make a list about anything because I just knew that the little mental notes I made worked the same. Boy was I wrong! Let’s not discount the joy I feel when I’m able to cross something off of my list. I don’t think that I’ll ever go back to not planning out my weeks or making small weekly goals. “Failure to plan is planning to fail”-Winston Churchill (or at least planning not to reach your fullest potential.)