Have you ever wondered what God’s purpose is for your life? According to Webster’s, the definition of purpose is “something set up as an object or end to be attained.”
I desire God’s purpose in my life. Jeremiah 29:11 promises He has good plans for me, and I have a future and hope. I’ve heard this verse my entire life. But hearing it and resting on that promise are two different things.
I struggle with knowing God’s purpose for my life, especially when trouble comes at me from different directions at the same time. That’s when I have to draw close to God. Only He can help me withstand those fiery darts. If I forget that, I quickly become hopeless and start questioning everything.
Am I making the right decisions? I wonder. Is everyone against me? Is this what I’m supposed to be doing? Am I following God’s will? Have I disappointed Him? Am I being punished? Stress gathers and grows.
But then I remember Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (NLT). God is always working every circumstance together for good for His children.
The psalms written by David bring me great comfort. It’s incredible that even a “man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22) faced opposition and felt discouraged at times. It shows me that I can be in the center of God’s will for my life, actively pursuing Him, and still have trials.
David teaches me how to fight and how to overcome discouragement during attacks. He says in Psalm 57:2–3, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness” (NLT).
David was on the run, hiding in a cave from King Saul, when he wrote this psalm. The king was trying to kill him! Surely, David was confused. He had loved this man who was attacking him.
So how did he maintain hope and not become discouraged? He drew close to the Lord in prayer. He remembered God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. He trusted in the promise that God would fulfill His purpose in David’s life.
We need to do the same during our times of attack. It’s how we emerge from the battle victorious. But if we forget, how do we overcome hopelessness and get back on track with God? Here are some tips I learned from David.
Pray. Cry out to God. Tell Him what you need and leave your situation with Him (Philippians 4:6–8). His peace will overcome your hopelessness and keep you moving forward. Prayer is powerful.
Read His Word. As we search the scriptures, we gain understanding and wisdom. The Bible isn’t something to be read and checked off a spiritual to-do list. It’s life to us. Study it intentionally and with a hungry heart, and you’ll find the strength you need for the battle. (See Psalm 119:114; 2 Timothy 3:16–17.)
Surround yourself with faith-filled people. God designed us to do life together. Ecclesiastes 4:10 says two are better than one because “if either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (NIV). Ask God to send godly people who will support and encourage you. Likewise, be that person for someone else.
Trust God. God will never leave you or forsake you. He gave the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus—for you, and He will provide you with everything you need (Romans 8:32). No battle is too difficult for Him.
God will fulfill His purpose for you. The battle you’re facing doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that He is absent. Do the above and trust that He will send His help from heaven and rescue you.
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CARLA OWENS loves the Lord and seeks daily to know Him more intimately. She serves as Victorious Living’s administrative director.
