Living Out Your Purpose in Difficult Seasons of Life

When life feels heavy or obstacles hinder our plans, pursuing anything beyond what we’re already managing often feels overwhelming or even impossible. The difficulty isn’t just the struggles themselves, but how they can affect both our sense of self and our sense of purpose.

We may not always recognize how these challenges impact living our purpose. How we interpret our situation influences whether our perception of who we are and what is possible is simply reframed or subtly distorted.

1. Difficult seasons shape how we see ourselves.

When our circumstances feel all-consuming, it becomes easy to believe they define not only our capacity in this season but also our capability as people. As we try to handle everything going on, we might begin to question who we are and whether God can actually use us. We may interpret needing to slow down or adjust how we pursue our goals as a sign of failure. These inner struggles can become even more challenging when we define our present and future by past disappointments or compare our measures of success with others. At times, we may wonder if we’re ready or even worthy of a calling, and begin placing limiting labels on ourselves. 

Self-doubt can chip away at our confidence and our clear sense of purpose and meaning in life. If we believe that delayed dreams mean we misunderstood God, it may cause us to abandon what He’s leading us to do. Over time, these patterns begin to distort not only how we see ourselves, but how we view our calling and what we believe is possible.

2. Difficult seasons shape how we see our purpose.

When we’re forced to slow down, pause, or come to a standstill altogether, it might feel unrealistic to find clear direction or make progress in our purpose. In the middle of change and uncertainty, we sometimes become discouraged or confused. When the pressures of life don’t seem to let up, we might assume we can’t possibly have a special calling. Even if we know we do, we can begin to feel we’re letting God down by not moving fast enough or far enough.

We may be going through seasons of waiting, major life transitions, unexpected hardships, or times when physical, emotional, or mental strain makes it harder to move forward. With multiple responsibilities competing for our attention and, sometimes, a lack of support when we need it most, saying yes to something new or more often begins to feel daunting.

During hard seasons of life, when moving forward feels difficult for too long, we begin to question whether we should even pursue a calling right now. In time, that question can become a belief that our purpose is a thing of the past or impossible. We often lose hope and no longer have a sense of purpose. Living with purpose may feel harder when we’re going through a hard time, but throughout Scripture, we see that wilderness seasons do not prevent God’s purpose for our lives from being fulfilled.

Hard times in the Bible never disqualified God’s people from their purpose, whether they were still seeking clarity, already walking in a calling, or waiting on God to fulfill His promise. God was at work within them and their lives, preparing them to live purposefully for His glory.

Joseph didn’t fully understand his purpose or the timing of God’s plan when his troubles started.

Though God gave him dreams that hinted at rising to authority within his family, he was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery (Genesis 37:5-11, 18-28 NIV). Later, when God put him into a position to prosper, he was falsely accused and imprisoned (Genesis 39:1-19 NIV). Joseph endured years of waiting, loss, and injustice. During these hard times, he may have felt confused or doubtful about the future God had shown him.

Even in uncertain times, Joseph remained faithful wherever God placed him. Over time, God used his circumstances to refine his character and prepare him for leadership and a future calling that saved his family and many others from famine. (Genesis 39:21-23; 41:38-49; 45:5-7; 50:20 NIV) Joseph’s story reminds us that even in tough times in life, when things unfold differently than expected, our God-given purpose is not negated. God can still reveal His plan and bring His vision to life as we follow Him and steward what He’s entrusted to us well.

Elijah was already walking with clarity in his calling when his challenges began.

He confronted false prophets, witnessed God’s miracles and power, and helped turn people’s hearts back to Him (1 Kings 17:1-24; 18:19-40 NIV). Yet when he faced opposition and threats, Elijah found himself exhausted, afraid, and convinced that his life no longer mattered (1 Kings 19:1-4, 10 NIV). When he grew weary, it began to influence how he saw himself and his purpose. 

God met Elijah right where he was, and while he rested, provided him with food to meet his physical needs (1 Kings 19:5-8 NIV). Then God met Elijah’s emotional needs by reassuring him of what He would do to help him carry out His calling (1 Kings 19:11-18 NIV). With renewed strength and perspective, Elijah mentored Elisha, the prophet who would succeed him in continuing God’s work into the next generation (1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:9-15 NIV). Elijah’s story shows us that even when we’re discouraged and worn out in pursuing our calling, God is faithful to help us. When our physical and emotional energy is drained, God will refresh and sustain us so we can continue walking in His purpose for us.

The Bible reveals that God’s purpose for us is not altogether delayed, diminished, or dismissed because of hard times in life. Pain and purpose can coexist in our lives. Even when you face obstacles to your calling, God continues working in you and through every circumstance to fulfill what He has planned. Romans 8:28:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV) 

God’s work in us shapes who we are becoming in Christ, which influences how we live each day and walk in our unique calling. As seen in the lives of Joseph, Elijah, and many others throughout Scripture, God does not leave us alone in difficult seasons. His presence and power guide and prepare His people as His purposes are fulfilled.

You may be waiting on God’s timing, but He’s preparing you day by day. You might have to slow your pace, yet you can still move forward with God’s grace. You sometimes need to shift your direction or change your plans, but His purpose remains possible as you follow His lead. Who you are and what you do hold value and significance in God’s eyes throughout every season of your life. No matter where we are in discovering or living out our purpose, God uses every difficult season of life to grow us from the inside out and lead us forward according to His plan. If we continue to trust God in difficult times, we can still live a purposeful life.

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When a life transition or challenge hinders clarity or progress in your purpose, it can feel discouraging or frustrating. Even when we seem to be in the middle of a setback, God may be setting the stage for preparation or a new direction that supports His purpose for you.

5 ways God is transforming you during difficult times in life:

1. Growing spiritual wisdom and maturity that aligns who you are with what God is calling you to do
2. Deepening awareness of your God-given identity and design, apart from what you do or how much you can do
3. Increasing your ability to discern His leading from your own desires or external influences
4. Building trust, perseverance, and resilience to take Spirit-led steps even in the face of adversity
5. Renewing your mind to see present challenges and past disappointments through God’s eyes

5 ways God is providing clarity for your purpose in hard seasons:

1. Identifying what truly matters to focus on His priorities over other things
2. Aligning your plans with His timing, pace, and methods to better fit this season of life
3. Revealing or refining how you will express your purpose
4. Positioning you for future opportunities while you’re faithful where you are
5. Guiding you to live with purpose in your spiritual and daily life as part of His greater purpose for believers, apart from your specific calling

Even when movement is limited on the outside, God is moving you forward beneath the surface. God transforms us and our lives so we can step into or walk further in His purposes. As we partner with Him in both spiritual and practical ways, we begin to move toward more purposeful living, even in difficult seasons.

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Living your purpose in difficult seasons doesn’t require having all the answers or taking big leaps. God often calls us to express our purpose differently at different times in our lives. It isn’t always something large, visible, or serving the masses. Sometimes God leads you in small steps, serving one person, or simply showing up where He leads.

True productivity and success are defined by responding to what God is asking of us each day, no matter how big or small.

Intentional ways to live with purpose during difficult seasons of life include:

-Deepen your relationship with God, trusting that He will provide clarity, direction, courage, and confidence, regardless of what you can or can’t do.
-Replace distorted self-views with God’s truth to remind you of who you are and what remains possible.
-Choose peace over pressure, without striving to figure everything out at once or forcing progress God may not intend.
-Discern what you should begin, continue, pause, or let go based on God’s leading, what’s stirring in your heart, and your present capacity.
-Seek input and support in areas you can’t see clearly on your own.

You still have purpose even when life feels uncertain or hard. God may be calling you in different ways right now. Living out your purpose in difficult seasons isn’t about doing more. You can rest in becoming who God purposed you to be and doing what He gives you grace to do. As you walk with Him, your purpose is still possible.

Photo Credit:  ©Unsplash/Zohre Nemati