Often, things hold us back from doing what we’re called to do, or what an experience has led us to. It may be fear, doubt, or it may be a lack of confidence from deep-rooted insecurity.
These thoughts and emotions often stem from not being rooted in Biblical truth. And when this happens, using your gifts for God’s glory is almost impossible.
When you are rooted in deep Biblical truth, even though doubt sets in, because you are human, you’ll know where to turn.
When using your gifts for God’s glory, don’t let Satan hold you back
Listen. If you are in a place of doubt and fear, but keep hearing a voice calling you to something, stop and listen. That voice is most likely the Holy Spirit calling you into your purpose.
If negative thoughts are keeping you stuck in a state of doubt, fear, and procrastination, holding you back from acting, challenge the thoughts. Satan is a master of creating doubt and insecurity. But the Holy Spirit is the authority. If you are being called, stop and catch the negative, doubtful, fearful thoughts and challenge them. Are they realistic?
Discovering your purpose
Using your gifts for God’s glory can be difficult if you are unsure of what God is calling you to do.
Venn diagrams can be a simplified way to see something visually. At a foundational level, Rebecca likes to say as a follower of Christ, this side of heaven, our job is to go and make disciples.
Everyone’s life is different. Our communities are unique and we have an opportunity to impact that to grow God’s Kingdom.
The three circles of Rebecca’s diagram are:
- What matters to you? Are there things that you do and experience such joy that time flies by?
- What matters to God? Search scripture to discover what God wants us to do – for His glory. And then connect it to what matters to you.
- What matters to others? Are there practical things that need to be done that you can do through your unique skill sets?
All those three things intersect and where they do, you’ll discover your purpose.
Likewise, as a business coach for Christian business owners, Robyn is passionate about helping others discover complete clarity around their purpose. Robyn’s purpose equation is values + visions + passions, and where the three overlap is where your purpose lies.
A life of abundance – spiritually and financially – is available when you follow your purpose.
Using your gifts for God’s glory is a balance you walk this side of heaven
God doesn’t need us to work for his Kingdom, but he calls us to and we can experience joy through it. We often equate joy to happiness, but our joy is rooted in who we are in Christ and His finished work on the cross.
Through serving Christ we experience joy. And, as a follower of Christ, that path isn’t promised with ease or without suffering or hardship, but in the hard that we experience in our calling, comes sanctification. The process of us being molded and refined into the likeness of Jesus. Through this process, we discover more of Jesus and become more like Him to experience more joy.
Hardships are an opportunity to be molded into Christ’s likeness.
Being a Christian doesn’t mean life will be easy
Verses from Paul that help emphasize the importance of using your gifts for God’s glory
Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Hebrews 12:2: fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus himself experienced rejection, hardship, etc. so that our relationship with God the Father would be restored.
Our hardships often guide us or enable us to lead. They are often necessary to walk through to get to where He is leading us to be.
You shed the light of Christ on everyone you touch, even with just a smile.
Your faith will influence your business.
Using your gifts for God’s glory is an everyday experience
The Holy Spirit, the very same power that raised Jesus from the grave, is us as Christ’s followers. He is with us to guide us, embolden us, strengthen us as we go through hardships, and answer our callings.
In James 1, we learn that God gives us wisdom without reproach when we ask Him for it.
James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Pray for wisdom and discernment as you make decisions.
I’m enough, I’m worthy in Christ. But the only reason is because of what Jesus did on the cross and how that act, restored my relationship with God. You can only move forward with this as our foundation. The Holy Spirit will help you discern when you ask him to. A prayer Robyn likes to use when she is in the process of making a decision is:
“Holy Spirit, please calm my heart and quiet my mind so that I may hear you. Share your wisdom and guide me to discern what your will is for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Don’t Miss Out by Jeannie Cunnion
Changing your mindset and removing negative thoughts
Ask yourself, is this thought true?
Is it worthy of praise?
Where the big change happens:
What is true, what is worthy, what is pure?
When we ask these questions, that is where God creates the transformation in our thoughts.
Every minute of time is a gift
Rebecca suggests time blocking. Robyn emphasized how much power Satan has on social media to distract us if we aren’t discerning what we consume and relying on the Holy Spirit.
If we were to solely focus on social media, we are building our business on borrowed land. But we can become obsessed, it can become an idol in our lives. And if we were locked out of our account tomorrow, we’d have no audience, no customer base. Create a strategy around where you’re building. You may need to have a presence but discern how you use the tools so that they don’t become an idol.
The more aware you are of how you spend your time, the more intentional you become with how you spend your time, and you can shift your time to be more efficient. Use a framework that works for you so that you maximize your time effectively.
Do you want to grow your business without feeling chained to social media? Download the free eBook, 10 Strategies to grow your business without social media.
About Rebecca George
Rebecca George is the author of Do the Thing. She is a yoga pants, Chapstick, and Jesus-loving girl. In Do the Thing she helps women set glory goals, set intentions, and do the thing that God is calling them to do. Her desire is to encourage and equip women and it’s been part of her life thread for many years.
Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl
