Finding Purpose in Your Past

“Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else.” Galatians 6:4 (CSB)

I've been looking at the unique ways God has made me—how he planned every day of my life before I was born and how he gave me my own unique SHAPE—Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences.

But even when I know that God formed me intentionally and uniquely, I still find myself unsure of how to move forward—in ministry or in life. At times, when I think about the future, I can feel more confusion and less joy.

When this happens, it might be overlooking the advice the Bible from Galatians 6:4: “Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else” (CSB).

The Bible gives two-part guidance here. First, I should “examine my own work.” In other words, I should look at my past and learn from it.

Next, I should “not compare myself with someone else.” As I examine my own life, don’t let my eyes wander to how God is working in people around me. Concentrate on what he’s done in and through me instead.

There are plenty of reasons to not compare myself to others. One, I will always be able to find someone who seems to be doing a better job than me—and that can lead to discouragement. Two, I will always be able to find someone who doesn’t seem as effective as me—and that can lead to pride. Either attitude will rob me of my joy.

God has a better way to help me discover what’s next. He wants me to take a close look at my past so that I'll be able to step into the future he’s prepared for me.

God doesn’t want me to waste my past. God wants to use it.

But sometimes it can be hard to know how to look back effectively over my life. Here’s one easy exercise I found to get me started:

Take a half-hour this week. Sit down with a piece of paper. Separate it with a line for each period of my life. I could decide to divide my life into five-year periods, or into decades.

Now it’s time to “examine my own work” by creating a life inventory.

Answer these two questions for each time period: What was I good at doing? What did I enjoy doing?

Now go back and look for patterns. If I was good at something when I was younger, I still am. Maybe there’s something I enjoyed a few years ago that I've forgotten about.

After I’ve identified patterns in my life, ask God what he wants me to do with this information. He might show me things in my past that I can celebrate and be proud of. And seeing patterns of what I’ve enjoyed or been good at over the years can help me know how God might want to work through me in the future. 

I shouldn't get caught in a trap of comparison. Instead, take an honest look at my own past. And then step forward with confidence into my future.

In summary:

God designed me uniquely with my own SHAPE—Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences—and calls me to focus on how He has worked in my life instead of comparing myself to others. Galatians 6:4 teaches me to examine my own work, learning from the past so I can step into the future God has prepared. Comparison only leads to discouragement or pride, both of which steal joy, but reflecting on my past strengths and joys reveals patterns of how God has shaped me. By taking time to inventory my life, I can see His hand at work, celebrate His faithfulness, and move forward with confidence into His purpose for me.

Bottom line:

God calls me to examine my own life, learn from my past, and focus on how He uniquely shaped me—without comparing myself to others—so I can step confidently into the future He has prepared for me.

So “Stop comparing, start examining—your past reveals God’s design for your future.”