How To Find God’s Calling for Your Life (7 EASY Tips)
So often when trying to understand God’s call for my life, I felt like His plans for me were elusive and intangible. In reality, I had placed obstacles in my own life that made it hard to hear what He was so patiently and clearly telling me.
In this post, I’ll share ways to better identify where He is calling you and hear His voice with these 7 tips on how to find God’s calling for your life.
1. How To Find God’s Calling – Be Obedient to What He Last Told You
When God repeatedly told me to write, my mind was flooded with thoughts like “But what will this lead to?”, “Will this be worth it?” and “Am I SURE this is what He is telling me?”
It was in the midst of this doubt that I read Luke 1, where the angel Gabriel tells Zechariah about the imminent birth of his son, John the Baptist. Zechariah answers in disbelief saying, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
The angel responds to his lack of faith by taking away his voice until the day of John’s birth. In other words, believe God when He tells you to do something the first time.
Don’t spin your wheels by questioning Him but be obedient to the last thing God told you to do – even if you don’t understand it. He will be sure to show you the next step in His perfect time.
2. It’s God’s Calling, Not Yours
C.S. Lewis once said, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.” Pray for God to redirect your focus to “HIS WILL” instead of “his will for ME”. Don’t chase your call but chase the God who calls you.
Sometimes God gives us the greatest blessing in the unexpected. Be open to the fact that following his calling might take a course correction. As I wrote about in my experience with my last job in church ministry, God might be preparing you for something that has never even been on your radar.
God is our only source of power and strength so if we focus on ourselves, even while trying to do good things, we will surely fall flat on our face. God has given us each different gifts and talents but without His power burning bright in us, we are like a candle without a flame.
A candle can have a uniquely colorful glow and aroma, but without the flame, it cannot fulfill its true purpose of providing light.
In the same way, it can be tempting to focus on the tips and talents of others but as I mention in my post 5 Ways to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others, we have to focus on God’s calling for us. Like a horse with blinders, we will eventually follow the direction of our focus.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” 1 Peter 5:6
3. You Have Gifts and Talents – Use Them!
There are various spiritual gift surveys online including this one that can give you an idea as to what your God-given gifts are. Also, be aware of your talents. Maybe you are great at decorating, gardening, or baking.
Perhaps God wants you to combine your gift of encouragement and baking skills to make gifts for neighbors as a means to reach out to them. God gave you your gifts and talents for a reason and He delights in seeing you use them.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
4. Uncover Your Fears
Don’t allow fears to deter you from following God’s plans. Allow them to be the very catalyst that drives you to the foot of the cross. Be mindful of fears when they come into your thought life.
Take those opportunities to not only hand over the fear to God in prayer but to submit the entire situation over to Him. For example, maybe I realize I am nervous about a meeting with my daughter’s teacher. Instead of giving just the fear over to God in prayer, pray to give the entire situation to Him in prayer.
Let your fear be a prompt or reminder that highlights opportunities to allow God to intercede through you as you give the entire situation over to Him.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
5. Your Calling Is Closely Tied To What You Enjoy
In most sports, there is that feeling you get…just like when you hit a tennis ball on the sweet spot of your racket. You get a good spin on the ball and you know the racket was used exactly how it should be used. Always be watchful for that same feeling.
When you find yourself in the middle of a task, hobby, or job and notice that same satisfaction, know that you have found the point where your God-given talents align with the tasks He has laid before you. When you approach the point where your gifts and calling intersect, have found your sweet spot.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
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6. Be tenacious in pursuing your God-given goals.
Sharpening our gifts and talents will take work. Within the work lies the preparation, growth, and character-building that will be necessary when His plans are fully realized.
Development is part of the process because God wants us to make sure we are ready for all He has planned. It’s through working towards the God-given goals that He prepares us for the task at hand.
The work God does within us while we wait is just as important as what we are waiting for.
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13
7. Stay in the Word
It’s much like drinking coffee for the first time. At first, you drink coffee in the morning because you know it will help you get through your day. But before you know it, it’s a habit, something you crave and can’t make it through the day without.
Know that time in God’s Word is not wasted and God’s Word cannot return void. As it says in Isaiah 55:11, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
If you are unsure how to study God’s Word, check out this post: An Intimidation-Free Guide to Study The Bible
My favorite verse is 1 Corinthians 2:9, which states, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has conceived what God has planned for those who love Him.” Know God has plans for you that are so much greater than anything you have imagined.
Which tip was most helpful in how to find God’s calling for your life? I’d love to hear feedback and your tips below!
Did you like this post? Be sure to share it with others. Have a wonderful week!
Related Posts to Finding Your Calling From God:
- How to Study The Bible For Beginners
- The Best Books for Christian Women
- The Top Christian Podcasts for Women That Will Change Your Life
- A Guide To Giving Your Burdens To Him
- The 21 Best Online Bible Studies For Women
- The Best Christian Gifts for Women – What She Really Wants!
Quick Links to Information in this Post
- 1
- 2 1. How To Find God’s Calling – Be Obedient to What He Last Told You
- 3 2. It’s God’s Calling, Not Yours
- 4 3. You Have Gifts and Talents – Use Them!
- 5 4. Uncover Your Fears
- 6 5. Your Calling Is Closely Tied To What You Enjoy
- 7 6. Be tenacious in pursuing your God-given goals.
- 8 7. Stay in the Word
- 9
- 10 Blessings,
- 11 Be sure to follow the fun here!
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Karin Peters is a DIY expert and the creator of Renovated Faith. She is a furniture painter, a home design consultant, and a tenacious problem solver determined to help you transform your house into a home. With 17 years of experience with DIY home improvement, she researches and analyses professional processes to adapt them to be easy and cost-effective for DIYers. She then tests every project and product before it appears on the site in a detailed, step-by-step format. After attending Texas A&M University, she received her Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages at Southwestern Baptist Theology Seminary. Her passions unite in Renovated Faith, which shows readers how to create a home that serves them so they can pursue their God-given purposes. About Renovated Faith | Editorial Policy | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
This was awesome!!! Just the answers I was looking for. I don’t want to sound selfish but I almost feel like this was written just for me and my brother.
Thank you
SO glad to hear that Brandon! It’s amazing how God can use anything to show us His truth.
Hello, I stumbled upon your blog trying to figure out God’s calling on my life and your wonderful blog helped me tremendously. I loved every last pointer you gave. I truly appreciate you for writing this blog. God bless you!
I’m so very happy to hear that. God is so good and amazing with how He works through this blog!
first time ever coming to your site, was totally suppose to happen. Ive been asking for a word from the lord and reading “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
brought me to tears. its exactly what i needed to hear
Hey Austin, Your reply gave me goosebumps because I think He is continuing to tell me the same in areas I’ve been holding back out of fear. Thanks for taking the time to reply! I wish you all the best!
Great article! God Bless you! For 2. Here’s something I learned from my mother and our Church, “J.O.Y. Jesus. Others. Yourself. Thank you again for this article because I believe The Holy Spirit has guided me to it for the very reason I am troubled. His Calling or His will for me to do in His service. I serve The Living God. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen
Tommy, Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing that acronym with me. I so appreciate it and am glad you found the post helpful!
Hi Kerin,sorry for all the typos 😅 !!
I’m posting on my phone and ads kept popping up all over the place on the this page not to mention my thumbs kept getting in the way 🙃 🤣
Thanks again for being obedient to hear God say ,”write this”(Hab.2:2),
I think the number 5 plays a major role in finding your purpose.
I love to teach discipleship and in in 2008 the Lord began to reveal to me prophetic dreams and vision so I know “my joy is full” in encouraging the body of Christ.
I recently graduated from bible collage and Colorado is what I’ve been hearing for many years, but
being the bread winner of my family of 9 makes it difficult to transition and not to mention I went to to Colorado to attend scbible school ther,but things did not go so well back home where my family was still at before we would transition to Colorado. Needless to say, I had to resign from school and go back home?
Confused, 3 years later I heard the Lord say go to the extension school were I ended up graduating the 2nd yr program but there is a 3rd year program and I’m hearing Colorado again????Not sure????
.
Hey Noe,
My best advice is to keep going on the last thing you KNOW God showed you. I had a college minister that always said when you aren’t sure of what God’s will is, keep doing the last thing He told you. I don’t know if this helps much but I’ll be praying for clarity in God’s direction. No problem about the typos. I still text with my index finger! Thanks so much for your comment and I wish you all the best. – Karin
Thank you for this post. It spoke on so many levels. Firstly that our calling us closely tied to our job or whatever it is we like doing. I’ve known my calling would be with youth/young people and believe God is going to raise them up to do great things in and through them. I suppose it’s the ‘stepping out’ for me which reminds me of Isaiah 41v10 to just go for it.
Hello,
I have been trying to figure out what my purpose is. Your article talks about obedience to what God has already told you. What if God never says anything to you? I gave myself to God through Jesus over 42 years ago. In all that time all I have received from God is silence, absence, and unanswered prayers. The article went on to indicate that we all have talents and abilities and to use them. I am 54 years old and haven’t discovered any talents, skills, and abilities. I am completely useless. I am not good at anything. As I see things your article assumes that God treats everyone the same. He doesn’t. Some of us He completely ignores. The article went on to claim that our purpose is tied to what we enjoy. I don’t enjoy any part of this miserable life. Helping homeless people get off the street is what I want to do and glorify God in the process. Life long poverty makes helping people impossible. So how do I find my purpose without the resources to do so? God isn’t helping. God hasn’t given me a reason to want to live. So I am stuck in misery and hopelessness.
Thanks and God bless you, in Jesus holy name, Amen.
Hey Kenneth,
I have a sermon I want you to listen to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT1dfKm-JQ0&fbclid=IwAR2hrv4NClrYjF-RVUhbT0PXiyVN-lRzOK4AlxwSMtB6YXS1mYygfuOxiH0
I think the encouraging message will give you some comfort. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Karin
You’re currently already in your purpose
In the beginning according to genesis God said he looked at everything he made and it was good . and he blessed man to be fruitful to multiply and to replenish the earth.
God is currently working on you
So true Florence. God is currently working on each and every one of us.
Hello Kenneth,
While I was reading your letter, I would have sworn that I wrote it, only I knew I hadnt. Brother you are not useless! Neither am I nor anyone else. God doesn’t create useless. Recently I am trying to get my life going on the correct path with Jesus, God and the Holy spirit again. I am trying to learn how to submit to Christ. I had a very rough upbringing, and the only one in life I could count on was me. To give up what I’ve ever known is hard, but with God’s help I will truly submit to Him. Pray that whatever is keeping you from drawing close to Him,from completing His will in you life will be removed. I am also learning that a relationship with our Lord and Saviour is just like any other relationship, it’s give a take. I will be praying and asking God , Jesus to search your heart and remove or help you to remove the obstacles that are keeping you from Him. I know that God has power to remove my issues, but what am I to learn if He takes them from me and I don’t help in the process? Also please remember, maybe your a late bloomer like I am lol I’m 55
Kenneth, hello and God bless you. As ridiculous as it may sound you have great purpose. Firstly you understand the hopelessness, rejection and feelings of abandonment most homeless people feel. Our living heavenly Father speaks in so many ways. To have a heart of compassion and passionate to help the homeless is a gift in itself. Ask others around you for resources, gift cards, hygiene items, etc. Many times we desire to do great things but the simple necessities in life sometimes gives the greatest comfort. Start helping one person if nothing else. You are a VALUABLE asset in the Body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12. Never discount your talents, God gave them to you to use wisely and to bring glory to Him. Listening to someone may be the difference between life or death. James 1:5 says ask God for wisdom, He will give it. Don’t give up on you, God nor your desire to help the homeless. We need you, because all of us working for the cause of Christ will bring light and hope to a dying world. We are God’s Ambassadors. We are the hands, feet, voice and heart of Jesus, use what you have to make a difference, please, thank you Great grace and blessings; looking forward to your first testimony of service. Jeremiah 29:11.
This post was very encouraging, and I thank you for sharing from your life’s experience. When you said that God ‘repeatedly told you to write…’ those words hit home to me because he told me to do the same some 15 years ago. I started a book but have not quite finished it, worrying that it will not be good enough to read. Not only has he told me to write, but I am also gifted with my hands to make things in my spare time when I am not managing people. I’ve been trying to find the connection to that in which I love to do and managing people with God’s call! There is so much more, and I am not tapping into to what that might be. Thank you again for sharing your story!
Hey Tiffani, I can so relate to all you are saying and I never in a million years would have been able to dream up this blog. Be faithful to whatever the next step is and then God will show you where to go next. He might now show you the full plan all at once and there’s a huge chance that what He is calling you to is something you aren’t aware exists. Please let me know if you have any other questions at all!
Thank you very much… All this points are well noted
Thank you for sharing! Good thoughts to think on. I’m closing in on 40 and still struggle to feel at peace with what I’m doing. I have so many interests and ideas, I struggle to narrow down what I should do and often wonder what God wants me to do.
What a great post! This was so helpful to me and I imagine I will be rereading it and using it as sort of a checklist as I walk into God’s calling for my life! I recently resigned from my job and have been wondering what my next step is. I know I’m going through a season of transformation, Romans 12:2, and the things you said here are so practical and beneficial to me. God bless!
So happy to hear that Shannon. Praying that God brings lots of new blessings on the horizon. – Karin
Good Morning Love, Thank You For The Post, I Love To Cook And I Know That’s What God Wants Me To Do, I Cook At My Church For Noon Bible Study, I Had Surgery On My Rotaor Cuff, But I’ll Be Just Fine, God Is Preparing The Way For Me To Get Well And Get Back To My Talent Which Is Cooking, Thanks Again
Hey Earnestine,
SO glad to hear you are a gifted cook! Gift your self time to recover and you will back at it in no time. Thank you for using your gift to glorify Him!
I am new to your blog. I love this post. My favorite passage was Uncover Your Fears Isiah 41:10. I wish I could remember this at all times! I consistently go start and stop with my calling search. This is very inspirational, thank you. I can’t wait to read you entire blog! I love the tutorials so far but cant wait to check out the daily devotional and bible study.
You are so sweet Heidi! Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. If I can ever help in any way, don’t hesitate to ask! Have a great day! – Karin
This is really encouraging Karin!
Going through this season now with a job change and taking a (temporary) pay cut to finish my nursing home administrator’s license to pursue that path God has placed on my heart over 2 years ago. Trusting he will be faithful and provide during this season and He will reap the benefits as I am able to share my joy and passion with others through my career doing what I love to do!
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
These are such good, practical tips. I love reading specific ideas…and this is sure a hot topic. So many (myself included at times) wander instead of wonder
Karin – I love these tips, it can be so scary to step out in faith, but when you keep your eyes on Him it makes all the other stuff fade and takes all the pressure off you. So glad you are walking in that faith! Love your blog!
Outstanding tips to move forward in God’s call. It can be scary but I think we can both attest to the awesome things that take place when you are obedient. Cast fear aside and take hold!
Such a great line: Don’t chase the call, chase the God who calls you. What a fantastic line and a great post on finding God’s calling on our lives!
Thank you for your kind words Erin!
Thank you for the inspiration .
It has helped me in understanding the struggles I have been going through. I feel a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders just by reading your post and the scriptures that you use to help demonstrate how much we all can achieve by asking God for direction in our lives.
Thank you for your sweet comment Gayle. I was there not long ago myself so I understand how frustrating it can be. I’m so happy to hear a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. Know that you are God’s workmanship created for a special purpose by the Creator of the whole universe. Have a great week and praying for God’s direction in your life.
Thank you so much for this post. I feel such a nudge from God (I think), yet it is so scary.
What if you do not have the resources to pursue God’s call?
Hey Erin, Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. What resources do you need? Let me know if I can help! – Karin
Thank you so much. I’m having a hard time with understanding but I know he’s calling me for something. It’s hard for me to trust anything where there’s so many trucks and games people are playing. Or is it my angel’s talking to me.