How to Find your Purpose in Life

Do you have a sense of purpose for your life? Do you know what God designed you to be and do with your life?

This can be a hard thing to figure out, and we often have to wade through a lot of junk such as expectations of family or society, false ideas about success, and false beliefs about ourselves, in order to find our true purpose.

Why do we need purpose in life?

God created us to need purpose, meaning, a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

A 2010 study published in Applied Psychology found that people with high levels of a sense of purpose, feeling that what they do is worthwhile, tend to live longer.

Having purpose prolongs life because we are fulfilled and satisfied.

Ultimate life purpose for Christians

The ultimate purpose for Christians is to glorify God and advance His kingdom. That’s a very general statement, but God wants to use your unique talents and abilities to work in your circle of influence.

That doesn’t mean you have to be a missionary. God wants you to be the best you can be whether you’re a SAHM, an entrepreneur, a nurse, teacher, architect, accountant…

There are people in your circle that need to see what a true Christian life looks like. They need what you have to offer.

You are called to reach a specific group of people. Your people. And God has given you a work to do to reach those people. You are indebted to them because of what you know and what God has done for you. (Romans 1:14)

He has a special place for you to work for Him that no one else can fill.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

God had a purpose for you long before you were born! He said of Jeremiah: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

God has a specific purpose for your life too.

How to find God’s purpose for your life

If God has specific purpose for your life, how do you find it?

Pray

Ask God to reveal your purpose to you. He has promised to lead you, instruct you and teach you.

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

Listen to Him

Listen for God’s directions, be sensitive to His promptings and listen to the desires He puts in your heart. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Obey Him

Be obedient to the light you do have right now. Take the next step. Do the next thing that God is putting before you. Whatever it is, do it.

Surrender to Him

Give God the wheel of your life and let Him be in charge of you. Be willing to be re-directed if necessary. Let God be in charge of all your own ambitions, plans, and ideas. When you surrender them to God He will fulfil them beyond your expectations if they are His purpose for you.

Know yourself

Discover what you love to do. What makes you excited?

When you identify your passion, you begin to uncover your purpose.

Know what your talents are and what they aren’t (be careful to uncover things that may be hidden by fear or the expectations of others).

Take note of what people ask you for help with.

Take note of what people thank you for.

It’s likely that God will use you in an area where all of these things align. He wants to use your natural aptitudes (what you’re good at) and your passions (what you like doing) to advance His kingdom.

Develop yourself

Develop a growth mindset. Be willing to work on yourself and do hard things so that you can grow and multiply your talents and abilities.

Take ownership of your life and do the work necessary for you to grow.

• Read
• Turn hurts into healing
• Educate yourself through short courses or learning opportunities
• Evaluate yourself and plan for personal development

Related: How to develop yourself

Accept yourself

Embrace who you were made to be and don’t try to be like everyone else.

Let go of the expectations of others and choose to be true to yourself by doing what you were made to do, and being who you were made to be.

Related: How to accept yourself

Replace limiting beliefs with God’s truth

Limiting beliefs are the things we tell ourselves:

• I’m not good enough
• I don’t deserve to be happy
• I deserve to suffer
• Nobody will listen to me
• I’m going to fail.

Limiting beliefs lead to the limiting behaviour of self-sabotage. Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”  

Stop sabotaging yourself and defeating God’s plan for your life.

Romans 12:21 reminds us to “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Overcome the lies you believe about yourself with God’s truth.

Help others

Researchers have found that meaningfulness in life goes along with being more of a giver than a taker.

I guess that’s why the Bible says it is more blessed to give than to receive! (Acts 20:35)

Seek God’s approval instead of the approval of others

Don’t spend your life trying to do what you are not good at because of other people’s (or your own) expectations.

Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I would not be the servant of Christ.”

Seek to please God first and don’t try to make everyone happy. Pleasing God is the most important thing and in doing this you will find your true self.

What if you’re still not sure of your purpose?

If you aren’t sure of your purpose, just do what you’re good at doing and keep praying for God to lead you. Then watch to for God’s providence and make use of opportunities that come your way. (And God will bring them!)   

God will speak to you though your own gifts and talents. Look at what you enjoy, what you’re good at, what God is giving you grace and opportunity to do, and then let Him be in charge of your purpose.

How to know if you’ve found your purpose

Simple, you’ll be able to say, “This is what I want to do. This is what I love to do.” And you’ll likely stop asking whether you have found your purpose.

This could take a lifetime – and that’s ok. The point is to be within God’s will right now, right where you are.

Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (satisfaction, fulfilment, passion, reward) will be added unto you.

Want your life to be more productive and directed? Sign up for my free class and get all the tips!