There are a few things that will assure a purposeful, fulfilling and joyful life. First of all God made us and He knew our purpose and reason for existing before we were formed in our mother’s womb.  If you want to know your purpose for living, ask your creator, the One who made you. When we have a personal relationship with Him, He will reveal those things to us. A committed walk with Jesus Christ is the key to a dynamic existence.

If we want a purposeful, and fulfilling and joyful life, it is also important to live in a state of gratitude. Take time out each day to thank God for your life. Thank God for your current situation, although it may or may not be pleasant presently, just hold on and thank Him anyway. All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) It will all make sense later. Our state of being could always be worse than it is. Look around you. When you find those who are less fortunate, reach out and pray for them, but be reminded that you are indeed blessed in comparison. Even though, periodically, times may be challenging, Praise God in every season of life. You will find that your blessings will come through your thankfulness. It is a great idea to keep a journal of the things you are grateful for and journaling is also an awesome way to keep track of God’s faithfulness.

Do you hold on to hurt? Do you keep grudges against others who has wronged you? Are you still mad about what someone did or said to you last night, last week, last month, last year, or even ten, twenty or more years ago? Well, don’t you think it is about time to free yourself? Yes, free yourself. When we allow bitterness and anger to fester, we do ourselves an injustice and we entrap ourselves behind prison walls. A family friend would often remind me of my words as a child of about eleven or twelve years old, “I was doing good until my mamma came and messed with me. I am still mad.”  Well that was cute for a child, but as I grew older, I would still struggle with holding on to the uneasy feelings of anger, and it wasn’t cute anymore. I got tired of that uncomfortable feeling when I was in the company of that person who mistreated or angered me. I fought against and resisted it, and God freed me from that bondage. Choose to release the bitterness and anger and pray to God for deliverance and He will deliver you. Forgiveness is the gift you give yourself. You will find more joy and fulfillment when you love deeply enough to forgive and pray for those who despitefully use you. (Luke 6:28) What is most important is to walk in forgiveness of yourself. The Bible tells us to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. Did you catch that? As we love ourselves is how we should love our neighbors. So you have permission to love yourself enough to forgive yourself. Give yourself a break for goodness sake! Christ already forgave you. (1 John 1:9) Forgiveness is indisputably a pertinent component to having a purposeful, fulfilling, and joyful existence.

Become a giver and look for nothing in return. Givers have more fun! Doesn’t it make you feel good when you give to others and see the gleam the receiver’s eye? Sure it does. You may say, “I want to be the receiver.”  Well that’s okay too. But remember, the more you give, the more you receive. If we open our hands, more can come in. If our hands are closed, we will keep what we have, but cannot gain as much with a closed fist. (Check out Luke 6:38 about giving.) As you positively affect those around you through giving without expecting anything in return, it will be given to you; good measure, press down shaken together and running over! Purposeful? Check! Fulfilling? Check! Joyful? Check!

Acknowledge and work your gifts and callings. What are you good at? What brings you great joy when you do it? Now take that gift and calling and serve others with it. Are you a poet? Are you a musician? Are you a natural born teacher, an artist, a speaker? Whatever it is you are good at, use it for the edification of others. You will find your purpose in that passion and in your service. Also, remember, be you! Bring your best and live confidently because your gifts and callings set you apart. No one can be a better you than you!

Open up about your pain. It is very liberating to lay it all out on the line and walk in honesty and light. When you talk about your pain and losses you then find out that you are not alone. So many other people are suffering in silence as well. If no one opens up and talk, who gets help and support that’s needed for healing? It wasn’t until I opened my mouth concerning the loss of my unborn child I was expecting back in 1997, that I realized there were so many other women just like me and I was able to be a sounding board for others like me. Your testimony will help to heal you as well as other hurting people.

In order to remain positive and maintain a good head space, know when to cut ties and/or limit exposure to negativity. Cutting ties with toxic people does not mean that you stop loving them. It just means that you love yourself more than the pain and the trouble that is brought in your place of peace by difficult people. Sometimes we have people in our life that we cannot cut ties with. For those, set boundaries. We are significant and we deserve to be respected as we respect others. Be certain to honor the perimeters you set and do not bend. The Bible tells us “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23 NIV) Sometimes cutting ties and setting boundaries are a part of guarding our hearts from evil thoughts, sexual immortality, theft, murder, adultery, fornication, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness (lust), an evil eye (envy and jealousy), blasphemy (lack of reverence for God), pride, foolishness. Yep! It’s in the Bible. (Mark 7:21-22) Guard your mind and meditate on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report (Philippians 4:8) and trust that God will do the rest. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

In essence, life is purposeful, fulfilling and full of joy when we have a committed relationship with Jesus Christ, when we are thankful, forgiving, generous, honest, when we use our gifts and talents, and when we guard our heart and mind by setting boundaries and remaining positive and doing what we know is right.