The Freedom of a Focused Life

“I know where I came from and where I am going.” John 8:14 (NIV)

For many people, modern-day life is fast-paced and pressured. But I can find the antidote for modern stress in an ancient book? Open up the Bible and read about the life of Jesus. He faced near-constant stress but handled it with peace—because he knew his calling and he concentrated his life around it.

Jesus said, “I know where I came from and where I am going” (John 8:14 NIV).

What about me? Do I know what God has called me to do? All of us are called by God. He put me on earth for a certain task, and he SHAPEd me to be able to fulfill that task. He’s given me a unique combination of Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences.

God doesn’t want me to be driven by the pressure of the world around me. He wants me to be driven by his purpose for me—by my calling. The apostle Paul said, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1 NIV).

Once I’ve figured out my calling, I need to concentrate on it—to focus on what matters most. 

It’s easy to get distracted and busy—to fill my life with good things rather than the best things. But Jesus knew that a powerful life is a focused life. The Living Bible paraphrase says it this way: “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will” (Luke 9:51).

And Paul said it like this: “This one thing I do . . .” (Philippians 3:13 KJV). He didn’t say, “These 40 things I dabble in.” He said, “This one thing I do.” That’s focus.

Both Jesus and Paul understood this idea: Diffused light has very little power, but focused, concentrated light has enormous power. Light focused through a magnifying glass can burn paper; light focused as a laser can cut through steel.

If I'm finding myself feeling stressed out today, it may be because my life is unfocused. Take the time to discern my calling and then concentrate my life around it. I'll find that my stress will decrease and my effectiveness in life will increase!

In summary:

Jesus lived with peace and purpose even amid constant pressure because He knew exactly who He was, where He came from, and where He was going. In the same way, I can reduce stress and live with greater focus by discovering and committing to the calling God designed me for. He uniquely SHAPEd me—through my Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences—to fulfill a specific purpose. When I let God’s purpose, not the world’s pressure, drive my life, I move from distraction to direction. Like Jesus and Paul, who lived with intentional focus, I can experience greater peace and power by centering my life on “this one thing” God has called me to do.

Bottom line:

Clarity of calling brings focus, and focus brings peace—when I align my life with God’s purpose, stress fades and effectiveness grows.

Next step:

My next wisest step is to clarify and articulate my God-given calling in one clear statement—a sentence that captures why I do what I do and who I'm called to serve. Then, align my daily priorities with that calling by identifying one or two areas where my time or energy is diffused and begin simplifying or delegating them. This will create margin for what matters most and allow me to live with the peace, focus, and purpose that reflect both my leadership calling and my desire to influence others with intentionality and faith.

Identity Anchored in Purpose

“I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants.” John 5:30 (GNT)

Jesus lived his life under constant stress. People were always following him—wanting him to heal them or teach them, or worse, trying to trap him and even kill him. Yet, if I look at his life in the Bible, he didn’t seem to be bothered by it. He never even seemed to be in a hurry. He handled all the pressure with peace.

I want to learn how to do that. Over the next few days, I'll look at secrets to stress management from the life of Jesus. If I do these things, my stress will go down and my joy and fulfillment will go up.

First, to reduce my stress, I need to know who I am. My family, peers, and culture will try to make me into somebody I'm not if I don’t know who God made me to be. And a confused identity causes stress.

Jesus knew exactly who he was. He defined himself over and over again, saying things like, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6 NIV), “I am the door” (John 10:9 ESV), and “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35 NIV).

When I don’t know who I am, I tend to copy and compare. I try to be someone I'm not—or I feel inferior because I'm measuring myself against someone else.

But God made me to be me—with my own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. There’s nobody else like me in the whole world. I have a unique thumbprint, footprint, eyes, and voice. God never makes copies. I'm it!

Once I know who I am, I also need to know who I'm living for. When I don’t know who I'm living for, I try to please everybody. That leads to enormous stress because no one can please everyone!

Jesus knew who he was living for: “I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants” (John 5:30 GNT).  

When I'm living for an audience of One, that simplifies life—and greatly reduces stress—because my only job is to do what God made me to do.

Do I want to live like Jesus, with less stress and more peace? Then I need to know who I am and who I'm living for!

In summary:

Jesus lived under constant pressure yet remained peaceful and unhurried because he was clear about his identity and purpose. He knew exactly who he was and who he was living for—focused solely on doing the will of the One who sent him. In contrast, when I’m unsure of who I am, I tend to copy, compare, or seek approval from others, which only adds stress. God designed each person uniquely, with no duplicates, so trying to be someone else leads to confusion and dissatisfaction. True peace and reduced stress come from embracing who God made me to be and living for an audience of One—aligning my life with His purpose rather than the expectations of others.

Bottom line:

Knowing who I am and living to please God—not others—is the key to lasting peace and freedom from stress.

Next Step:

Set aside intentional time with God to reaffirm my identity and purpose in Him—quiet the noise of expectations, reflect on who He says I am, and realign my daily choices with that truth. From that place of clarity, simplify my focus: choose one area where I've been striving to please others or overextending myself, and consciously release it to God. This will help me live more peacefully, purposefully, and authentically aligned with my calling.

Blessed to Bless Others

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Acts 2:44-45 (NIV)

No one sacrificed like the early church. In Acts 2:44-45, the Bible says, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (NIV).

These early Christians didn’t just give their money. They were generous with everything they had. When they saw a need, they did whatever they had to do to meet it—and at their own expense. There was a spirit among them of awareness and concern that led to selfless and sacrificial generosity. I could say they were radically generous.

And they didn’t give grudgingly. The Bible also says, “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47 NIV).

People noticed this radical way of living, of freely giving to meet the needs of others. The joy the early church found in generous giving drew many more people into God’s family.

What would happen through our churches today if we were just as radically generous? The Bible says I'm a steward—or manager—of all that God has given me. I'm responsible to use my resources in a way that impacts the kingdom.

God doesn’t just give me resources for my own enjoyment. He wants me to make a difference in the world around me. God never blesses me just so I can take care of myself. He blesses me so I can bless others.

That’s a hopeful and encouraging truth to remember all year long, because generosity isn’t something we only display at Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s a way of life, and it’s even more impactful when the church practices it together.

So I need to find ways to be radically generous so I can make an eternal impact on the people in my church, in my community, and in the circles where God has placed me.

In summary:

The early church modeled radical generosity, willingly sharing everything they had to meet the needs of others. Their giving went far beyond money—it was a lifestyle of selfless love, unity, and joy that drew people to God. As stewards of God’s blessings, I am called to live the same way: to use my resources not for my own comfort, but to make an eternal impact on others. True generosity isn’t seasonal—it’s a daily expression of gratitude and faith that reflects God’s heart and advances His kingdom.

Bottom line:

Radical generosity—giving selflessly to meet others’ needs—is how believers reflect God’s heart, strengthen community, and make an eternal impact.

Next steps:

Look for one tangible way today to practice radical generosity — meet a need, share a resource, or give time to someone who could use encouragement or support. Make it a habit to pause and ask, “Who can I bless today with what God’s given me?” Over time, my consistent generosity will not only meet needs but also point others toward God’s love and grace.

Practicing the Presence of God

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

The Bible makes it very clear how I should be praying. It tells me to “pray all the time” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 MSG).

That probably seems impossible to a lot of people. Many people find it hard enough to remember to pray at set times during the day, like at meals or at bedtime or during a consistent quiet time.

How is it possible to pray all the time? One way is to use “breath prayers” throughout the day, as many Christians have done for centuries. I choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath: “You are with me.” “I receive your grace.” “I’m depending on you.” “I want to know you.” “I belong to you.” “Help me trust you.”

I can also use a short phrase of Scripture: “For me, to live is Christ.” “You will never leave me.” “You are my God.”

Pray it as often as possible so it is rooted deep in my heart. Just be sure that I'm motivated to honor God, not trying to manipulate him into doing my own bidding. Breath prayers can lead me into a deeper sense of God’s presence and care, if I let them.

Practicing drawing near to God is a skill; it’s a habit I can develop. Just as musicians practice scales every day to play beautiful music with ease, I can learn how to think about God at different times in my day. I can train my mind to remember God.

At first I will need to create reminders to regularly bring my thoughts back to the awareness that God is with me in that moment. Begin by placing visual reminders around me. I could post little notes that say, “God is with me and for me!”

If I am seeking an experience of his presence through all of this, I'll have missed the point. I don’t praise God to feel good but to do good. My goal is not a feeling but a continual awareness that God is always present.

That is the lifestyle of worship through prayer. That is how I can pray all the time.

In summary:

Galatians 2:20 emphasizes that living a life of continual prayer is possible by cultivating constant awareness of God’s presence. Rather than limiting prayer to specific times, I can connect with God throughout the day through short “breath prayers”—simple phrases like “You are with me” or “Help me trust you.” These small acts keep my heart aligned with Him and deepen my relationship over time. Like practicing a skill, developing this habit requires intentional reminders and consistent effort. The goal isn’t emotional experience but a lifestyle of worship—living each moment with the awareness that Christ lives in me, guiding my thoughts, actions, and trust.

Bottom line:

Living in constant awareness of God’s presence transforms ordinary moments into worship. Prayer isn’t confined to set times—it’s an ongoing relationship where every breath becomes an opportunity to trust, connect with, and depend on Christ.

Next step:

Practice presence through simplicity — choose one short “breath prayer” (like “I trust You” or “You are with me”) and repeat it throughout your day. Let it draw my focus back to God in ordinary moments, helping me stay grounded, peaceful, and purpose-driven no matter what comes my way.

Quiet Time: The Secret to Clarity

“Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” Matthew 6:6 (MSG)

I won't be able to hear God speaking if my life is full of noise. I’ve got to get alone, and I’ve got to be quiet. Many people call this a quiet time.

In The Message paraphrase, Jesus says it like this: “Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”

There’s something critical to realize about hearing God speak and getting his vision for my life: He wants to meet with me. In fact, in Jeremiah 33:3 it says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (NIV).

I may feel like I'm waiting on God—but often, God is waiting for me. He created me for a relationship, and he loves it when I spend time with him. He longs to be part of my everyday life, like a regular appointment on my calendar. God is patient, he’s always ready to meet with me.

But getting alone in a quiet place can be pretty difficult in today’s world. Most people don’t realize how noisy their surroundings really are. Every waiting room, grocery store, and elevator has music. There are very few places in life that are actually quiet.

And with kids at home, it’s even more difficult! Be desperate for it. Make time to be quiet and meet with the Lord.

In summary:

To truly hear God’s voice and sense His grace, I must step away from the noise and distractions of life and spend quiet, honest time alone with Him. Jesus taught the importance of finding a secluded place where I can be still, shift my focus from myself to God, and open my heart to His presence. God longs for that time with me—He’s not distant or unavailable but waiting patiently for me to call on Him so He can reveal His wisdom and direction. Though finding silence can be challenging in a noisy world, making space to meet with God daily deepens my relationship with Him and will bring clarity to my life.

Bottom line:

To truly hear God and experience His grace, I must intentionally create quiet, undistributed moments to be alone with Him—because He’s always ready to meet with me when I slow down and listen.

Next step:

My next wisest step is to schedule intentional quiet time today—even if just 5 minutes—to disconnect from distractions and reconnect with my purpose. Use that space to listen, reflect, and realign my heart with God’s direction for my leadership and mission. This stillness will not only refresh my spirit but also bring clarity to my next move in both coaching and influence.

God’s Plan Is Always Better

“What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (GNT)

God's plan will always be more rewarding than anything I could come up with on my own.

This is not just about rewards here on earth. That's part of it, but what’s even more amazing is that God’s plans are eternally rewarding.

Significance and satisfaction in this life come from following God's purpose and plan for me. But cooperating with God’s plan is also the key to rewards in heaven. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him” (GNT).

It's hard to imagine what God wants to do through me If I follow his plan. If God were to show me his plans, it would likely blow me away! I'd be amazed at how he can use an ordinary person in extraordinary ways. But he wants me to choose his plan and his way of doing things. He wants me to choose him.

Some of my desires are good, but I also have broken desires. I will never know the best way until I choose God’s way.

Think about Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ earthly parents. Before God revealed his grand plan to them, I’m guessing they had some simple but good plans: get married, have a family, serve God. But even those good plans couldn’t compare to what God wanted to do with their lives. When they submitted to God’s will, they discovered how big God’s plans really are—and how those plans can bless the whole world.

God’s plan is always better. If I haven't fully submitted what God wants to do in my life, then I'm not thinking big enough. He’s got big things in store for me here on earth and even greater things in the life to come!       

But the thing about God’s plan is that he lets me choose whether I'm going to follow it. A lot of people miss God’s best for their life because they choose to go with their own plan.

So, If I want to live a meaningful, purpose-filled life, pray: “God, I want your will to be done in my life, not mine. Please show me the way that leads to your best for me so I can serve and love you well.”

In summary:

God’s plan for my life is far greater and more rewarding than anything I could imagine or create on my own. While my own plans may seem good, they can never compare to the purpose, fulfillment, and eternal impact that come from following His will. Like Mary and Joseph, who discovered God’s extraordinary plan by surrendering their own, I too am invited to trust His direction and let Him use me in ways beyond my understanding. Choosing God’s way over my own opens the door to a life of true significance now and eternal reward later. The best step I can take is to pray, “God, not my will, but Yours—show me Your plan and help me follow it faithfully.”

Bottom line:

God’s plan is always greater than mine, and true fulfillment comes when I surrender my way, trust His will, and follow His purpose for my life.

Next steps:

Pause and realign my plans with God’s purpose through intentional reflection and prayer. Ask, “God, where am I still holding onto my own way?” Then, choose one area—big or small—to surrender fully to Him. Trust that obedience today, even in a small step, positions me for the greater purpose He’s already prepared.

How to Care for People, Not Just About People

“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” John 13:15 (NLT)

Jesus told his followers: “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you” (John 13:15 NLT). If you’re a follower of Jesus, then that instruction is me as well!

Here are five ways Jesus cared for people. He wants me to do them also!

First, preach the Good News. More than anything else, God wants me to let people know that Jesus is the answer to each one of their problems. He wants me to tell people that he created them, Jesus died for them, and the Holy Spirit wants to live in them—to tell them that God offers forgiveness, purpose, and a future home in heaven. I can share this one-on-one, bring them to church, or invite them to a small group.

Second, comfort the brokenhearted. Hurting people are all around me. In fact, everyone carries around some kind of hurt, whether or not they let other people see it. Sometimes the best way to find a hurting person is to look for those who are causing hurt; hurt people hurt people. Then look for ways to show extra love and to lift them up in prayer.

Third, proclaim freedom for those who are imprisoned. While I may not know someone who is actually imprisoned, I do know people who are trapped in some way—trapped by a habit, by health problems, by tight finances, or by an old secret. God wants me to offer his truth, which will set them free: “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NLT).

Fourth, proclaim recovery of sight to the blind. Here Jesus was talking about people who are spiritually or relationally blind. When I see a loved one making a stupid mistake, I might think that it’s none of my business. But if I care, it is my business. I can share truth from the Bible or help them find resources that offer the truth they need to hear.

Fifth, release the oppressed. Who are the oppressed? They’re the people who are kicked around, picked on, and put down. We all know individuals like this, and there are whole groups of people that experience oppression too. Instead of turning my back on oppression, Jesus wants me to confront it and deal with it.

Remember, when I care for the people he cared for, Jesus says it’s like you’re caring for him!

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. . . . Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:35-36, 40 NLT). 

In Summary:

Jesus set the ultimate example of how to care for others and calls me to do the same. He wants me to share the Good News so people can know His love and salvation, comfort the brokenhearted with compassion and prayer, and help those trapped by sin, fear, or circumstances find freedom through His truth. I’m also called to guide those who are spiritually blind toward understanding and to stand up for the oppressed with courage and love. When I care for others as Jesus did—showing mercy, speaking truth, and meeting needs—I’m not just serving people; I’m serving Christ Himself.

Bottom line: 

Following Jesus means loving and serving others the way He did—sharing truth, showing compassion, and caring for those in need as if serving Him directly.  

Next step:

My next step is to intentionally model Christ’s example of service in my daily leadership and relationships. Look for one tangible opportunity each day to reflect His compassion—comfort someone who’s hurting, speak truth with grace, or stand up for someone overlooked. As I lead with a servant’s heart, my influence will deepen, and my actions will naturally point others toward the One I represent.