Unlocking True Purpose: How Men Can Overcome Barriers and Find Fulfillment

Having a sense of purpose is an essential part of living a fulfilling life. It gives us direction, motivation, and a reason to get up every morning. However, there are times when men may feel lost, hopeless, or despondent about their purpose in life. In this blog post, we will explore the three main causes of a man's lack of purpose and offer some strategies to help them find their way back to a meaningful and purposeful life with a Biblical basis.

1. Adversity and Heartache

One of the most common causes of a man's lack of purpose is experiencing adversity and heartache. Life can be unpredictable, and everyone faces challenges at some point. However, when men are faced with significant hardships, such as the loss of a loved one, a job loss, or a debilitating illness, they may feel overwhelmed and lose their sense of purpose. They may feel like they have nothing to live for, and hopelessness can set in.

Biblical Basis: James 1:2-4 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." By finding joy in the midst of trials, men can learn to trust in God's plan and develop perseverance, which can lead to a renewed sense of purpose.

To overcome adversity and heartache, it's important to seek support from loved ones, professional counselors, or life coaches. Listening to the stories of others who have overcome similar challenges can also be helpful. This can provide a sense of accountability, transformation, and renewal. By focusing on personal growth and healing, men can find meaning in their experiences and come out stronger on the other side.

2. Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are mental health conditions that can cause a man to feel discouraged, despondent, and miserable. These conditions can make it difficult to find joy in life and can lead to a sense of purposelessness. Depression and anxiety can be caused by a range of factors, including genetics, life events, and chemical imbalances in the brain.

Biblical Basis: Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." By turning to God in prayer and seeking His peace, men can find the strength to overcome depression and anxiety.

Getting professional help from a therapist or counselor can be an effective way to manage depression and anxiety. A life coach can also provide empowerment and guidance to help men set goals and find purpose in their lives. Other strategies, such as exercise, meditation, and a healthy diet, can also help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.

3. Lack of Direction and Focus

Another cause of a man's lack of purpose can be a lack of direction and focus. When men don't have a clear idea of what they want to achieve in life, they may feel aimless and lost. They may also struggle to find meaning in their daily activities and may feel unfulfilled.

Biblical Basis: Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." By seeking God's guidance and committing their goals to Him, men can find direction and focus in their lives. Men need to consider whether their current goals and aspirations align with God's plan for their lives and whether their pursuit of success is hindering their ability to find true purpose and fulfillment in life. God has a specific plan and purpose for each person. In the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." By seeking God's will and aligning our goals with His plan, we can find true purpose and fulfillment in life.

Mindset

The power of mindset and thoughts in finding purpose and fulfillment can be rooted in the biblical principle found in Romans 12:2: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Our mindset and thought patterns have a powerful impact on our ability to find purpose and fulfillment. As Romans 12:2 suggests, we are called to renew our minds and resist conforming to the negative and limiting patterns of this world.

By developing a growth mindset and focusing on positive thoughts and beliefs, studying and meditating on scripture we can renew our minds and align ourselves with God's will for our lives. This process of renewal can help us overcome limiting beliefs and negative thought patterns that may be hindering our ability to find purpose and fulfillment.

Furthermore, by cultivating gratitude and a positive perspective, we can shift our focus towards the good and pleasing aspects of God's will for our lives. Through this process of transformation and renewal, we can discover our unique strengths, values, and goals, and pursue them with confidence and purpose.

In Life Coaching with Doug, my approach to finding purpose can be grounded in the biblical principle of renewing our minds and aligning ourselves with God's will. By focusing on what God says about you, cultivating gratitude, and developing a growth mindset, we can overcome limiting beliefs and find true fulfillment in our lives.

God’s Will Be Done

However, it's important to recognize that our goals and aspirations may not always align with God's plan. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." This verse reminds us that God's purpose will ultimately prevail, even if our own plans do not come to fruition.

Therefore, men must be willing to examine their goals and aspirations and consider whether they align with God's plan for their lives. This means seeking God's guidance and wisdom through prayer and Bible study. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." By trusting in God and acknowledging Him in all aspects of our lives, we can be confident that He will guide us towards the path that aligns with His plan.

Additionally, men must be cautious about pursuing success at the expense of their true purpose and fulfillment. In Matthew 16:26, Jesus asks, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" By following Jesus' example and serving others, we can find meaning and purpose in our lives while also demonstrating God's love to those around us.

Put off the Old Self

In a previous blog I wrote about the false self and the true self, emphasizing the importance of understanding our false self and true self in order to find true purpose and fulfillment. The false self is the persona we create in order to fit in with societal expectations, while the true self is our authentic identity as beloved children of God.

In Colossians 3:1-5, the apostle Paul exhorts us to set our minds on things above, rather than on earthly desires and passions. He urges us to put to death our earthly nature and to clothe ourselves with the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, and patience.

Colossians 3:1-5 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Combining the teachings on the false self and true self with Paul's words in Colossians, we can see a path towards discovering true purpose and our true selves. To find our true purpose, we must first identify and discard our false selves, the masks we wear to fit in with societal expectations. This can be a painful and challenging process, as we must confront the aspects of ourselves that we have long tried to hide or deny.

Next, we must turn our attention towards our true selves, the unique and beloved identity that God has created us to be. By setting our minds on things above, we can align ourselves with God's will and discover our true purpose and calling.

Finally, it is through the redeeming work of Christ on the cross that we are transformed by His grace to become heirs of eternal life through His resurrection. As we cultivate the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, and patience, as Paul instructs in Colossians, we embody the very character of Christ himself. By living out our true selves in this way, we can find fulfillment in serving others and making a positive impact in the world. It is through the power of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection that we are empowered to live out our true identity and purpose in Him.

In conclusion, by following the teachings on the false self and true self and the guidance of Paul in Colossians, men can find true purpose and their true selves. By discarding the false self, turning towards our true identity in God, and cultivating virtuous character, we can live out our calling and find deep and lasting fulfillment.

How Coaching can Help

As your coach these are three questions, I might ask you if you came to me with this problem.

1. What has God been teaching you through this season of purposelessness?

I would encourage you to reflect on your current situation and seek to understand what God is trying to teach you through this season of purposelessness. This question can help you shift your focus from your own struggles to God's plan for your life.

2. What is one step you can take today to move toward your God-given purpose?

Here I would challenge you to take action and move towards your God-given purpose, even if it's just a small step. By taking action, you can begin to break free from the cycle of hopelessness and discouragement.

3. Who can you invite into your life to hold you accountable and encourage you as you pursue your purpose?

I would suggest that you seek out accountability and support from others, such as a trusted friend or mentor. By surrounding yourself with a community of support, you can find the encouragement and motivation you need to pursue your purpose.

Through these I would help you take a proactive approach to finding purpose and seeking God's plan for your life. By reflecting on their situation, taking action, and seeking support, men can break free from the cycle of purposelessness and find true fulfillment in their lives.

A life coach can help men identify their values, strengths, and goals. By working with a coach, men can develop a clear plan for achieving their aspirations and finding their sense of purpose. By breaking down larger goals into smaller, achievable steps, men can make steady progress towards their objectives, gain confidence and motivation.