Dear Dr B,
I’m struggling with my calling. I just don’t feel good at anything. When I look around it seems like all my friends and coworkers know what God has called them to do and they are walking confidently in that calling. I just want God to show me if I have any gifts or talents He can use. How do I know what my calling is?
Sincerely,
Troubled About My Call
Dear Called,
You’re not alone. I have been right where you are before, and so have those friends and coworkers you referred to, who now look like they are walking confidently in their calling.
We all struggle with direction sometimes. Can I suggest that you just take time to be still. The enemy pushes, but the Holy Spirit guides. God is never in a hurry, but always right on time. When we feel like we have to know, have to “do” right away, that’s when we can miss the joy in the intimate journey He takes us through as He leads us to our calling. He has a plan for you and He declares that it is GOOD! It is a future filled with HOPE. Do not despair. He has called you and you are His own. Wait on Him. Be still. Rest in Him. As you take time to be still, God will renew and guide your vision.
You are created for a purpose that God planned in advance for you to do. “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).
I think so often we get it wrong. God’s greatest desire isn’t that we would figure out what His will is for our lives and then run after that. What He really desires is that we will draw close to Him and get to know Him in intimate relationship, and as an outcome from that intimate relationship, we will walk with Him in our purpose and calling.
The enemy often likes to use comparison with others to distract and discourage us. When we listen to his taunts and jeers, it takes our focus off of God, when what we need to do is rest in God for He will make our paths straight.
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7).
We tend to have difficulty resting when we look at the million things we have to do to make “it” happen, when much of the time we remain unsure of what “it” even is.
Sometimes the most “productive” times are the times when we are still and rest; times when we ignore the push of the world to do, and instead, heed His call to be still. He didn’t create us to be “human doings” but rather “human beings.”
The truth is, He doesn’t need us to do anything for Him to accomplish His purposes but what He does need us for is relationship with Him. He doesn’t want us so busy about our call that we miss out on the relationship journey with Him. That comes in the resting and the listening and the seeking and the knocking and the slowing down and being still. We are the ones who think we have so much to do and in such a hurry, but in God’s economy, He has all of eternity to accomplish His purposes.
Sometimes when you aren’t sure what to do, the best thing to do is to be faithful to what you already know God wants you to do. Small acts of obedience put us in line for God’s big plans.
Rest assured, “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6 NLT).
Because of Him,
Hope Prevails!
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A short brief about Hope Prevails.
Hope Prevails
Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.
Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression
-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide
- An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression
- As with the bestselling My Stroke of Insight, the author experienced the same condition she treats
- Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations
In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.
Hope Prevails is available now wherever books are sold. To find out more, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
So many good thoughts here, Dr. B. Among them, I highlighted this line: Sometimes when you aren’t sure what to do, the best thing to do is to be faithful to what you already know God wants you to do. I remember hearing Elisabeth Elliot give advice that was similar. She said, “Do the next thing.” God bless you,
Gail
We all need that reminder sometimes to do the next thing. To take that next step. Thanksfor stopping by today. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Gail,
God is an “On-time God.” He’s not going to tell us more than we need for the moment. So until we need to know more, we just keep doing the last thing He told us to do. If we are faithful in the small things, He can trust us with the bigger or next things! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Doing the next thing is so very important, especially when you are completely overwhelmed with life. Breathe deeply & do that next little thing… Thanks for the reminder!
I’m thankful that He has a plan and it is GOOD! He is faithful. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
My pleasure Dawnita. We are all only capable of doing one thing at a time and doing it well. Do that next thing and wait on Him to show you the next. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
I like how you said God wants us to know Him. That is our greatest calling. Wonderful thoughts!
Deb,
He wants nothing more. That’s why He created us. He doesn’t need us to accomplish anything but He allows us to partner with Him. He’s got it all under control. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Loved the post and I think that this post was to be in my path today, I am a 45 year old lady who has been mom, wife, nana and so many other hats including nurses aide for 20+ years. Today in a conversation I find why my path has been so enjoyable. As a little girl my mother would take us to visit those in nursing homes and I felt at home there, seems that I found my calling or my calling found me way before I realized I was meant to do what I was doing
Hope you find your path perhaps it is something you all ready love or do never know you may know your goal and not realized it yet
How wonderful Angie!! I think that attests to the power of God’s longing to give us the desires of our hearts! He knew your heart and led you down the path without you even realizing it! What a blessing! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
I love the simple direction you share to just rest in God. I have gone through 2 years of doing that regarding my calling (not always easy!), and am finally feeling some new direction, a sense of God with me, guiding me. Wonderful post!! Helpful for those struggling with calling..
great thoughts!
Oh you’re right…not easy, but so worth it! I’ve been there in the middle, waiting. But we serve an On-Time God. His timing is always perfect and He declares that His plans for us are good, for a future and a hope. I can rest in a God like that! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
This was very encouraging! I love this truth – The enemy pushes, the Holy Spirit guides.
Mrs. M,
I’m delighted that you found this post encouraging–that is always the goal: to share the truth in love and encourage along the way. Blessings to you! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!