Empowered To Live Your Purpose

We walk through life as an orphan when we have been reconciled to the Father and have been adopted into a family. We are created for belonging.

The problem with having an orphan mindset is that we inadvertently repel the very thing we need. We try to protect ourselves from being hurt by building walls to avoid being further wounded. The problem is that the walls also keep the joy and goodness from coming into us.

As we journey through life we frame our beliefs by our experiences instead of our identity in Christ. We continue to operate FOR a place in the kingdom instead of FROM a place of righteous authority as His child. Because of our misplaced identity we adopt the wrong mindsets to cope with what we experience.

One of the primary mindsets that is connected to an orphan heart is poverty, or scarcity. We live from a place of “not enough”. We can make this our identity, I am not enough.

When we live with an orphan heart we live in envy and jealousy of others because of a lack mentality we believe there is only so much to go around. If someone else has something then there isn’t enough for me.

Another side effect of an orphan heart that I have dealt with is perfectionism.

You might be a perfectionist if…

You are critical of yourself and others (and I used to think that I was only critical of myself, but they go hand in hand. You can’t love others well if you are hyper critical of yourself.)

You are a people pleaser. You need others' approval to make decisions.

You rarely ask for help and have difficulty delegating. You are a procrastinator.

Do you have unrealistically high expectations, Another sign of perfectionism is low self-esteem.

The solution and salve to our orphan heart is full acceptance and love of the Father. His grace not only leads us to salvation, but it is the power to sustain us in it and help us grow in the love of God. He is always our answer. Our perspective of Him changes everything. If you find that any of these mindsets or tendencies ring true then you are in a great place to overcome them. You can repent (remember, repentance is just changing your mind, turning back to God and what He thinks) and ask God to forgive you for thinking more highly of yourself than you do of Him and His love, care and power to work on your behalf. You can ask Holy Spirit to show you the ways you have lived as an orphan even though you are a beloved daughter. When Holy Spirit shows you how you have been living small and feeling less than what He created you to be you get to turn around and run back to His loving embrace.

Bible Verses: Psalm 37:3-5, 68:6, Luke 9:24, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:28-29

#encouragingfreedom #empoweredtoliveyourpurpose #wholeselflifecoach #orphanheart #orphan #mindset #Bible #lifecoach #christianlifecoach #povertymindset

The most challenging things we face in life are not obstacles, but relationships. No matter the age, or stage of our lives the most important and transformative thing about us is the people we relate to and the way those relationships inform us and unfold over our life.

Our entire life is summed up by the way we relate to God, and people. The most important thing about us is what we think of Jesus, and people, who are created in God’s image. Relationships have layers, and spheres in which they exist. Not all interactions are the same, but the way we interact is a sum of what has shaped our thoughts and feelings.

Relationships are meant to be transformational, not transactional. This was so eye opening and felt like it answered a soul deep question of what has been wrong in many of my relationships. We are meant to be ‘Iron sharpening iron’ as it says in Proverbs, speaking words of life, and “discovering creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them towards acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love.” Hebrews 10:24 TPT.

I believe that the greatest factor in interacting transactionally, which keeps people at a distance and views them as tools to get what I want instead of a BEING to be enjoyed, is an orphan spirit.

We have divided souls. We compartmentalize and guard our hearts in ways that build walls and keep others out. We choose to be our own security and provision and protection. We believe that no one will really look after us or give us what we need, so we have to take it for ourselves. We have a scarcity, lack, poverty mentality that keeps us from asking for what we need and reinforces that there isn’t enough (love, care, protection, encouragement etc) to go around. We are all lost children wandering around trying to find a home with support and protection.

The first step in healing this Orphaned heart is to be reconciled to God. There is no help and hope for sonship apart from being reunited to the Father.

Jesus came to redeem us from the brokenness and separation of this world. We have been given the spirit of adoption.

“And so that we would know that we are his true children, God released the Spirit of Sonship into our hearts—moving us to cry out intimately, “My Father! My true Father!” Now we’re no longer living like slaves under the law, but we enjoy being God’s very own sons and daughters! And because we’re his, we can access everything our Father has—for we are heirs because of what God has done!”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“...And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!” For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!””

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:14b-16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

As an adopted child you have been hand picked, specifically chosen to be a part of God’s family. You are not one of many in a sea of children, but you are the one that God created to be in relationship with Himself and share the inheritance of Jesus as a dearly loved child.

God intends to set the lonely in families as it says in  Psalm 68:5-6a TPT

“To the fatherless he is a father.

To the widow he is a champion friend.

The lonely he makes part of a family.

The prisoners[a] he leads into prosperity until they sing for joy.

This is our Holy God in his Holy Place!”

Reading at the end of the podcast was Romans 8:14-35 in The Passion Translation

When we think about purpose it feels like this intangible thing that means we have this self confidence in us. Or it seems like a specific niche, or job that we enjoy which would somehow confirm that we are walking out our purpose.

Purpose is actually neither. We can call it destiny, calling or purpose, but all three need to be rooted in the same ‘thing’- which is actually a belief in the gift and calling of God that He orchestrated for our lives before we were even created. God’s plans don’t revolve around where we were born, how we were raised, who approves of us or what type of education we have. All these things are not limiters to our destiny and no one can mess it up for us, and God never changes His mind about it. The sad truth is that we are the only ones that can miss what God has by not believing in Him.

The way we live out our calling can look many different ways. Your calling isn’t your career, your purpose isn’t your profession, but they will play a part in what we do. We are called to do good works, but that isn’t our purpose. Our purpose is relationship. The more you spend time with the author, creator, who is your Father- the more clearly you will see the excitement in His eyes over you and the good things you’ll do. 

Life’s biggest questions can be boiled down to these 3 things

Who Am I?

What is my purpose?

Where am I destined to go?

As a believer in Christ, all of the answers are found in Jesus. Our identity is in His love for us. Our purpose is found in loving God and loving others. Our destiny to reign in life here on earth is just the beginning of our eternity with God in Heaven.

If you want know more about your identity and purpose and my story of trying to discover what it means then hop on over to my website rhiannonstaal.com or thewholeselflifecoach.com and click on the link to have my 3 truths about your purpose writing sent to you. You can share this episode, or my website and the writing on our purpose with a friend and help them understand that their purpose is easier and closer than they might think.

You’re loved, valuable,  and God is for you. I am rooting for you too.

Song Reference; Kari Jobe - The Blessing

Scripture References: Matthew 11:29-30 TPT, Psalm 40:1-2, Romans 8:11, 28, Numbers 6:24-26, Jeremiah 29:11

Walking as a new creation in Christ isn’t a one and done deal. This 18 inch journey, as U2 sang, is the longest one you’ll ever take. The process of renewing our minds and cultivating the soil in our hearts to receive the implanted word of truth is a process.

For me this journey to become whole looked like Biblical counseling, a spirit filled mentor, and counsel and accountability from wise friends. It required that I stop being afraid of looking at, and taking responsibility for, the broken places. Blame and Shame are not from God. We can’t shame ourselves into changing, believe me, I tried. Negative feelings, even surrounding a real need for change, will only get you started, but it cannot sustain the perseverance that you will need to see it through.

However, the working out of our salvation is a journey of soul work. It is a renewal of our mind and healing of our heart. It is removing the things that weigh us down and hold us back from the life we are meant to live.

There are 3 keys to unlocking God’s purpose for your life.

"We Need to Heal so We Stop Bleeding on Those that Didn't Cut Us."

Wisdom Builds- start building new habits to help you heal.

1) Break habits into tiny pieces that can be built on.

2) Anchor your new habit to something established in your routine.

3) Celebrate to build positive feelings with your new habit.

Bible References: James 1:23, John 10:27, Colossians 3:15AMP, Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 61:1-4, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Proverbs 11:20, James 1:7-8, 21, Matthew 11:29-30 TPT

References for further help and Study: Dr. Caroline Leaf's book- Switch On Your Brain, and her Switch App for the 21 day brain detox process

The Chalene Show with BJ Fogg- "The Science of Tiny Habits"

Get on my mailing list to keep updated about my "All Things New" Course coming soon! www.thewholelifeoach.com or www.rhiannonstaal.com

Hi Friends,

Thank you for joining me on today's episode. What is love, is it an accumulation of all the things I like and enjoy? Is it a feeling?

Let's discuss the greatest need we all have- LOVE

We'll look at what love isn't, what it is and that the Bible has to say about love.

Verses in today's episode: John 3:16, 1John 3:16, 1 John 3:16-19, 1 John 4:18, Romans 8:5, 6, 35, 38-39, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Matthew 6:33, Galatians 6:9

Episode #5 on fear and resistance, Episode #10 on Wisdom

Love Challenge:

I will use the New Living Translation of the Bible because it pretty clearly delineates the characteristics. I will read them in order for you.

I encourage you to read these verses in different translations to get a better understanding of all of the qualities of love. Each day as you meditate on the qualities of God as expressed through His love we can pray for these to be expressed through us as well.

When we come to a day that feels particularly hard to swallow, let's be quick to repent (which just means to turn around, or turn our thoughts back to the right way of being) and ask God to forgive us for not walking in love. If a particular person comes to mind when you’re going through this exercise then you can forgive them, ask God to bless them, and if there is still a relationship and a safe place to talk with them then share what God is showing you. Maybe you need to ask them for forgiveness for a past offense.

Ask Holy Spirit to help you (that’s why Jesus gave Him to us) walk in love in the specific quality that day. I would recommend doing this at the beginning of your day and watch as God shows up and displays His love for you and through you over the course of the day.

#encouragingfreedom #empoweringwomen #bible #allthingsnew #transformation #Jesus #empoweredtoliveyourpurpose #wholeselflifecoach #love #Godislove #feelings

I think we would all agree that we need more wisdom and discernment than ever before. It’s nearly impossible to discern truth, and receive wisdom and understanding from what we see in the media, or even from well meaning friends and colleagues.

Wisdom isn’t acquired knowledge, but applied intimacy. True wisdom comes from God and only can be found in Him. 

Proverbs 9:10 says,

“The starting point for acquiring wisdom (fear of the Lord is the foundation)

is to be consumed with awe as you worship Yahweh.

To receive the revelation of the Holy One,[a]

you must come to the One who has living-understanding. “

Wisdom was there when God planned in advance a designed purpose for you and I. 

Psalm 139:16 says

“You saw who you created me to be before I became me![a]

Before I’d ever seen the light of day,

the number of days you planned for me

were already recorded in your book.”

And in Ephesians 2:10b it says, “... Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!

The blueprints He has for our life cannot be properly discerned apart from relationship with Him. 

In the second half of Romans 8:28 it says we “have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.” and in Proverbs 19:21 TPT it says,

“A person may have many ideas concerning God’s plan for his life,

but only the designs of God’s purpose will succeed in the end.”

Wisdom is always speaking, but do we have ears to hear and a heart to understand?

Proverbs 1:33 says,

“But the one who always listens to me will live undisturbed in a heavenly peace. Free from fear, confident and courageous, that one will rest unafraid and sheltered from the storms of life.”

There isn’t a soul on earth that wouldn’t want that promise, but it is reserved for God’s holy ones, His lovers, that are seeking Him with their whole heart. And He promises to be found and reward us for diligently seeking Him.

Challenge: Read a chapter of Proverbs everyday, and read over James 1 & 3:13-17

Closing Prayer from Ephesians 1:17-19 AMPC

Bible Translations mentioned: TPT (The Passion Translation), AMPC (Amplified Classic) NKJV (New King James Version) & ESV (English Standard Version). 

Bible website: www.biblegateway.com 

Bible App: YouVersion

If what should be an exciting time of year, and feel like a break from the regular routine feels overwhelming and reminds you of all you haven't done well, then maybe you're doing it wrong. 

Listen along today and discover how to take a step back and start the New Year, or a new season in your life with more intention and less stress. 

I appreciating God's good plans for us and prayerfully considering His plans and how they work with our desires we can walk into the new, good thing He has for us without a sense of urgent necessity for instant change that only overwhelms and disappoints us.

New Year, New You isn't wrong, but we maybe be trying to jump in too deep too soon and it will only set us up for failure. Baby steps before the big steps. Daily, consistent, small movements in the right direction will make BIG changes over time.

Life isn't easy, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. Hard things are good things. Fast food is easy, but not good. A planned out, home cooked meal can be harder, but it is so much more satisfying and better for you too.

Let's leap into this next season with a momentum that we can keep up so we don't burn out before we reap the harvest!

"And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!" Galatians 6:9 TPT

"For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." Jeremiah 29:11 AMPC

Joy is so much more than happiness. Happiness is derived from circumstances which fade and fail, but Joy is a gift that grows as we face hard things, and is based on our position in Christ. The joy of the Lord becomes our strength.

When joy feels elusive I need to choose to focus on gratitude. Having a thankful heart does lead to a happier heart.

My first focal point needs to be Jesus, and the gift of His indwelling Holy Spirit. He is the promise keeper that we can build our lives on. God shall supply all my needs according to His riches -Philippians 4:19

My second focus needs to be on others. When I lift my eyes off of my own circumstances and look to the needs of others I feel joy knowing that I am serving someone and providing for their needs. Philippians 2:3b-4 TPT says,

“...Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. 4 Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests.”

What we give we in turn receive. We can joyfully serve others because we trust God to meet our needs according to the immeasurable riches of His glory and not our own limited ability to provide for ourselves. When we spend time with God, and look to the needs of others then we can correctly place ourselves in a position to receive the JOY we are searching for. Think of it this way…

J esus

O thers

Y ou

In a world infatuated with self love, self care and self expression, yet missing out on true joy, it’s time to reorder our lives according to God’s Word and experience deep joy that isn’t swayed by circumstances.

My Closing prayer is found in Ephesians 1:17-19a

#encouragingfreedom #empoweringwomen #bible #allthingsnew #transformation #Jesus #empoweredtoliveyourpurpose #wholeselflifecoach #joy

In today's episode let's talk about where peace comes from and how to keep it! I promise you will be empowered to live a life of peace in spite of your circumstances.

Jesus didn’t offer a plan or government program to follow to achieve peace. He offered Himself.Everything that Jesus offers is all encompassing. He didn’t come to just be our Savior for the future, but to be the Lord of today. We are told that we can be led by the peace of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:15 AMPC says, “And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds…” The peace of Jesus, through His Holy Spirit will tell us what should stay and what should go.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord completely and do not rely on your own opinion. With all your heart, rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go.” TPT

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” Matthew 11:28-30 TPT

In Isaiah 26:3 we are reminded that our peace is a direct link to what we focus on and what we place our trust in. "You [God] will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you [Him]!” NLT

Peace is a gift from Jesus as He says in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]” AMPC

What I am allowing by what I choose to focus on determines the peace that I feel.

Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that we are the gatekeeper of our soul.

“Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life” NLT

What we see coming out of us is a reflection of what we have allowed to come in.

Jesus says it in this way in Luke 6:45b  “...For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words.”

4 Steps to maintaining your peace

1. First Things First- The way we start our day affects the way it continues. Don’t start with social media or the news. Start your day with The Bible, Worship, and Prayer. Even if you have to get up 15 mins earlier. It will set the tone for the day and you will walk in more peace.

2. Lift you eyes throughout the day. God is our very present help in trouble. We can pray and listen and receive from God any time of the day and in the midst of any situation. Psalm 46:1 says, “God, You’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in times of trouble- more than enough and always available whenever I need you.” TPT

3. Slow down, ruthlessly eliminate the hurry from your life. Many times this includes pairing down our schedule as well. If we find ourselves constantly saying things like “I don’t have time for this or that” try to replace it with “that’s not a priority for me” and see if that sits well with you.Where we spend our time and money shows our priorities and if time in the Word, worship and meditating on scripture and prayer aren’t at the top of your list you will see why you struggle keeping peace.

4. Choose to quit something that isn’t bringing you peace

Tremble by MosaicMSC

Hope is a foundational truth about our God, but if we misinterpret or misapply its meaning we will continually feel let down which can lead to depression.

If I place all my hopes on a relationship, job, finances or the timing of what I am hoping for, I will be disheartened.

But, if my Hope is settled on WHO God is and not a certain outcome then I will be full of joy and peace as I trust in HimHis hope does not disappoint, as Romans 5:5 tells us because it comes from the love He has for us that He sealed in us by giving us the Holy Spirit.

May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Even when things don’t go our way, or we have an unexpected loss we can thank God that He is our radiant hope, and He is at work in the situation. (Psalm 27:13, 33:20 TPT)

Hope challenges us to dream again.

God has made us dreamers. He has placed in each of us the desire and longing to see our dreams fulfilled.

He promises that if He is our primary desire He will give us what we long for. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:4 ESV

I love the way The Passion Translation says it. “Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life, and He will provide for you what you desire the most.”

What Dreams Have You Put On Hold?

Reimagine those possibilities while firmly resting your hope on God’s promises and love for you. Start awakening the desires you may have stuffed down, but awaken them to the hope that “...with God nothing will be impossible.” Luke 1:37 NKJV

Steps to walking in Hope:

Step One: Believe God

Step Two: Abide in Him and not your circumstances

Step Three: Trust His Timing

Step 4: Begin dreaming again

Here are a few of the promises you can hold onto:

He is anchor for our soul

He never changes or fails

He is always faithful

He will never leaves us or forsake us

He is our peace

He longs to be good to us

He is our healer

He is our provider

He is our protection

He is a good Father who always takes care of His children

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.” Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 AMPC

#encouragingfreedom #empoweringwomen #bible #allthingsnew #transformation #Jesus #empoweredtoliveyourpurpose #wholeselflifecoach #hope