The Purpose Driven Life, Chapter Three
What Drives Your Life?
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JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
This was a huge chapter for me, so I have a lot of quoted stuff, and a lot of comments on it as well.
Things People Are Driven By:
1) Guilt
Guilt driven people are manipulated by memories. They allow their past to control their future. (Been there done that....used to let things I had done control the way I behaved toward certain people....and that's all I can say about it for now....)
We are PRODUCTS of our past but we don't have to be PRISONERS of it. (I know some folks who would do well to remember this when they are talking to others....folks who hold the past against you forever and ever, not believing that a person CAN change).
2) Resentment and Anger
Those who have hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold onto the pain through resentment. (Oh, man, do I know this one first hand, dealing with two ex husbands, and some so-called "friends")
3) Fear
These people often miss great opportunities because they're afraid to venture out. Fear is a self-imposed prison.
4) Materialism
The desire to acquire becomes the whole goal of their lives. Self-worth and net worth are NOT the same.
5) Need for approval
They allow expectations--of parents, spouses, children, teachers or friends--to control their lives.
(This used to be me big time...my mother, most especially...I thought I had to be the person SHE wanted me to be, instead of who I really wanted to be....I didn't really start being ME until I was 40!!)
BENEFITS OF PURPOSE DRIVEN LIVING
1) Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life
Without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.
2) Knowing your purpose simplifies your life.
It defines what you do and what you don't do. You ask "Does this activity help me fulfill one of God's purposes for my life?" People who don't know their purpose try to do too much--and that causes stress, fatigue and conflict. Purpose driven living leads to a simpler lifestyle and a saner schedule.
(I'm all for THAT!!! LOL)
3) Knowing your purpose focuses your life.
It concentrates your effort and energy on what's important. You become effective by being selective.
4) Knowing your purpose motivates your life.
Purpose always produces passion.
5)Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity.
What ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says.
(This is one of those truths I've known for years, but have always had trouble putting into practice. I've always tried too hard to win the acceptance of other people, to make them understand my motivations...when what they think doesn't really matter, in the end.)
Things People Are Driven By:
1) Guilt
Guilt driven people are manipulated by memories. They allow their past to control their future. (Been there done that....used to let things I had done control the way I behaved toward certain people....and that's all I can say about it for now....)
We are PRODUCTS of our past but we don't have to be PRISONERS of it. (I know some folks who would do well to remember this when they are talking to others....folks who hold the past against you forever and ever, not believing that a person CAN change).
2) Resentment and Anger
Those who have hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold onto the pain through resentment. (Oh, man, do I know this one first hand, dealing with two ex husbands, and some so-called "friends")
3) Fear
These people often miss great opportunities because they're afraid to venture out. Fear is a self-imposed prison.
4) Materialism
The desire to acquire becomes the whole goal of their lives. Self-worth and net worth are NOT the same.
5) Need for approval
They allow expectations--of parents, spouses, children, teachers or friends--to control their lives.
(This used to be me big time...my mother, most especially...I thought I had to be the person SHE wanted me to be, instead of who I really wanted to be....I didn't really start being ME until I was 40!!)
BENEFITS OF PURPOSE DRIVEN LIVING
1) Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life
Without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.
2) Knowing your purpose simplifies your life.
It defines what you do and what you don't do. You ask "Does this activity help me fulfill one of God's purposes for my life?" People who don't know their purpose try to do too much--and that causes stress, fatigue and conflict. Purpose driven living leads to a simpler lifestyle and a saner schedule.
(I'm all for THAT!!! LOL)
3) Knowing your purpose focuses your life.
It concentrates your effort and energy on what's important. You become effective by being selective.
4) Knowing your purpose motivates your life.
Purpose always produces passion.
5)Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity.
What ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says.
(This is one of those truths I've known for years, but have always had trouble putting into practice. I've always tried too hard to win the acceptance of other people, to make them understand my motivations...when what they think doesn't really matter, in the end.)
