Finding God’s Purpose For Your Life : A Christian Therapist Perspective
As 2026 grows closer by the day, we often start thinking of the many new year goals we want to pursue. From growing closer to God, prioritizing our physical health, or pursuing that dream that keeps us up at night we start to get overly excited with the new possibilities for our future. But on the other hand, we often can get caught up trying to figure out what calling God has placed in our life.
“Am I supposed to go into ministry?”
“Is the health care field what God wants me to pursue?”
“I wish I could just call God and ask Him which route I should take.”
“What if I choose the wrong thing and it separates me from God?”
I first want to say, I think it is a good sign that you are curious and maybe even a bit anxious about your calling on your life. I’m sure you have stayed up many nights wondering if you are making the right decisions that honor our Heavenly Father. Maybe there has even been a bit of frustration because you just feel stuck in life. Despite these anxiety and frustrations, I think these responses are natural. We are not God, and it can be overwhelming to try and navigate this life. However, I think more often than not we forget to look at the many great figures throughout scripture and realize they probably felt the same way at times.
I often believe we over complicate understanding God’s purpose for our life. So, let’s look at three different individuals throughout scripture and notice how they discovered their calling.
Joseph (Genesis 37-50)
The story of Joseph is quite the dramatic one. In his early years, he finds great favoritism from his father, resulting in significant frustration and jealousy from his brothers. And as time progresses, a crucial part of his story is revealed. He is blessed with the gift of dreams. A direct line to God Himself, revealing many prophecies throughout his life. However, once Joseph reveals his gift to his family, it is not received well from his brothers. The result?
Sold into slavery.
A blessing from God used to save nations, resulting in his captivity.
Moses
We know Moses for being the great leader that helped the Israelites break free from captivity. From the moment he was born, the evil one tried to have him killed. This attempted persecution only resulted in leading Moses directly into the palace, raised as a prince. He was brought up to lead Egypt only to flee, in fear of persecution again. However, despite how far the devil tried to make him run, God’s calling for his life was clear. Lead the nation of Israel. But don’t you find it interesting?
The man called to speak for God’s people….
Was described to be “slow to speak and slow of tongue.”
Paul
The greatest apostle of the New Testament. Originally known as Saul, the Roman man with a passion for persecuting Christians. Ended up becoming responsible for a significant portion of the New Testament text and foundation of Christian doctrine. His persecution was also well documented with three specific instances recording him being thrown in jail. However, early church fathers argue it was at least 7 times! Ultimately, his life ended in martyrdom through decapitation, a merciful death during his time compared to crucifixion.
However, the same way the devil tried to silence Paul’s mission….
Is exactly how Saul was redeemed into the man we now know as Paul.
Identify The Opposition
We often over complicate things. Our calling often is the exact thing the devil is opposing the most. The devil’s biggest task is to prevent you from walking in the purpose God designed for your life.
Abraham was called to be a father of many nations, and yet he struggled with infertility.
Moses was called to speak for the nation of Israel, but struggled with a stutter.
David was called to be the King of Israel, while King Saul tried to kill him.
Joseph would be sold into slavery for his dreams, and yet his dreams also saved nations.
Start looking at how the devil is trying to take you out and start asking yourself what has God been showing me this whole time. Struggling with motherhood? Maybe you are raising a future prophet, leader, or world-changer for His Kingdom. Struggling with your mental health? Maybe the darkness trying to hide your light threatens the kingdom of darkness by helping others step into radical healing. Struggling with your faith? Maybe it’s because God is calling you to lead a revival among those who struggle to believe.
Read this next part carefully. The devil will attack you where God has placed a calling in your life, then whispers lies saying your life is meaningless. The devil is terrified of you pursuing God’s calling because he knows just how impactful you will be for the Kingdom of God.
So let’s find your purpose!
Finding your Calling
- Stop looking for a title and start looking for the patterns.
Your calling is never a title. It is a mission God has set you on. In Scripture, calling was often revealed through patterns, recurring themes, burdens, gifts, and struggles.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” — Romans 12:6
Ask yourself:
What themes keep showing up in my life? What burdens won’t leave me alone? What problems do I feel drawn to solve?
- Identify the Opposition
Oftentimes, the biggest hint to finding and understanding your calling is understanding where the devil wreaks havoc the most.
“For a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” — 1 Corinthians 16:9
Ask yourself:
Instead of asking, “Why is this so hard?” ask,
“Why might the enemy be fighting this so intensely?”
- Pay Attention To Your Heart
God will often create your calling through your passion and grief. God understands the passions of your heart and He will use those passions to create victories for the Kingdom of God.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4
Ask yourself:
What injustice angers you? What pain do you feel deeply for others? What stories make you say, “Someone has to do something about this”?
- Identify Your Passion
God does not call those who are already qualified. He equips those who He calls, by polishing our natural gifts to align with life designed to Christ.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” — Jeremiah 1:5
Ask Yourself:
What do people consistently come to you for? Encouragement? Teaching? Listening? Leadership? Prayer?
- Seek Confirmation
Scripture, prayer, wise counsel, and spiritual fruit all confirm calling over time. Worrying about choosing the wrong path in your life when your heart is set on following God. You must have faith that God will direct your steps in life even when you can’t see it.
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” — Proverbs 20:18
Ask Yourself:
How can you obtain confirmation from God? Prayer? A mentor? Patients? Fruit of the Spirit?
- Be Faithful Now, Not In The Future
Nothing can be accomplished while standing still. God will guide your steps but that is only if you will move forward. Everyone’s purpose is revealed through one’s faithfulness.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” — Luke 16:10
Ask Yourself:
What obedience is required of me today?
- Reject The Lie Past Hardships Disqualify You
Your struggles do not cancel your calling. Your past does not disqualify your future. Your weakness does not surprise God. In fact, God often chooses the very place you feel most inadequate to display His power.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
Ask Yourself:
How do I lean on God when I feel completely overwhelmed by my own limitations?
Closing Thoughts
There is no need to complicate finding God’s purpose for your life. Dedicating your life to Him is enough, because He will guide your steps. You only need to slow down and remain patient knowing that God’s purpose will always prevail. It can be difficult trying to understand the calling God has placed on your life. Trust in knowing that even when the devil tries desperately to derail God’s plan, to hurt you, to misguide you, that no creation could ever be greater than our Great Creator.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s topic! I appreciate all your support as we continue to explore the many mental health topics from a biblical world view.
For 2026, I have many exciting things in the works. One of which is a mental health devotional challenge! Every day for 2026, I will be sharing a mental health devotional. 365 days. 365 reflection aimed at using mental health challenges to help us grow closer to God.
I hope you will join me on this challenge as I need YOU to help keep me accountable! Each devotional can be sent right to your email. Just sign up for our newsletter, and I will send them to you directly!
Click HERE to sign up!
Thank you for your support, and I hope you have the best and most blessed day ever!
Sierra Stratman MSW LMSW U/S PhD Student at Liberty University