Quotations About Life's Purpose

The cost of a thing is the amount of what I call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.
Thoreau, Henry David

Look and you will find it-what is unsought will go undetected.
Sophocles

You are a child of the Universe, no less than the moon and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should.
Ehrmann, Max

Purpose serves as a principle around which to organize our lives.
Anonymous

I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.
Schweitzer, Albert

The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live.
Borysenko, Joan

Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.
Elliot, George

We were not sent into this world to do anything into which we can not put our heart.
Ruskin, John

Life is a promise; fulfill it.
Mother Theresa

An age is called Dark, not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it.
Michener, James

Great minds have purposes, little minds have wishes
Irving, Washington

The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.
Emerson, Ralph Waldo

The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose
Leider, Richard

If you can not find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it? Dogen Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul; unbelief, denying them.
Emerson, Ralph Waldo

"I have done my best." That is about all the philosophy of living one needs.
Yutang, Lin

Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.
Miller, Henry

You are what your deep driving desire is; As your deep driving desire is, so is your will; As your will is so is your deed; As your deed is so is your destiny.
The Upanishads

That is happiness: to be dissolved into something complete and great.
Cather, Willa

How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.
Shakespeare, William

Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.
King, Martin Luther

Each small task of everyday is part of the total harmony of the universe.
St. Theresa of Lisieux

Seeing yourself as you want to be is the key to personal growth.
Anonymous

The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.
Aurelius, Marcus

If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants.
Newton, Isaac

I would rather fail in a cause that will ultimately triumph than to triumph in a cause that will ultimately fail.
Wilson, Woodrow

Long years must pass before the truths we have made for ourselves become our very flesh.
Paul Valery

Time is but the stream I go a-fishin in. I drink at it, but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. It's thin current slides away, but eternity remains.
Henry David Thoreau

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.
Henry David Thoreau

Intense feeling too often obscures the truth.
Harry Truman

The mark of a good action is that it appears inevitable in retrospect.
Robert Louis Stevenson

Fortune is like glass--the brighter the glitter, the more easily broken.
Publius Syrus

We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.
George Bernard Shaw There are no eternal facts, as there are no absolute truths.
Friederich Nietzsche

Time will explain it all. He is a talker, and needs no questioning before he speaks.
Euripides

The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one
Malcom Forbes

.Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
Benjamin Franklin

Life's Tragedy is that we get old to soon and wise too late.
Benjamin Franklin

The education of the will is the object of our existence.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

.Youth is a blunder; Manhood a struggle; Old Age a regret.
Benjamin Disraeli

There is an art of reading, as well as an art of thinking, and an art of writing.
Disraeli

There is a great deal of unmapped country within us which would have to be taken into account in an explanation of our gusts and storms.
George Eliot

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
Aesop

The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.
Edward Phelps The days that are still to come are the wisest witnesses.
Pindar

However gradual the course of history, there must always be the day, even an hour and minute, when some significant action is performed for the first or last time.
Peter Quennell

"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live."
‚ Marcus Aurelius (121-180)

"Life is ours to be spent, not to be saved."
‚ D.H. Lawrence

If you don't have time to do it right you must have time to do it over.
Anonymous

You cannot teach a crab to walk straight.
Aristophanes

The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold.
Aristotle

.Nature does nothing uselessly.
Aristotle

A great city is not to be confounded with a populous one.
Aristotle

.Half the work that is done in the world is to make things appear what they are not.
E.R. Beadle

Success is never final.
Winston Churchill

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Confucius

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it--this is knowledge.
Confucius

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
Confucius

A good book has no ending.
R.D. Cumming

There is only one way to come into this world; there are too many ways to leave it.
Donald Harington

The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

.So much of our time is preparation, so much is routine, and so much retrospect, that the path of each man's genius contracts itself to a very few hours.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is impossible for a man to be cheated by anyone but himself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nothing endures but change.
Heraclitus

There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision.
William James

Luxury is more deadly than any foe.
Juvenal

My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
Clarence Buddinton Kelland

It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to explain why you did it wrong.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

What we obtain too cheap we esteem too little; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.
Thomas Paine

Life is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament.
George Santayana

It is not good to be too free. It is not good to have everything one wants.
Blaise Pascal

Life is but a moment, death also is but another.
Dr Robert Schuller

no eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn -jim morrisonContributed by jessica carr

I would rather be ashes than dust; I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot; I would rather be in a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow than in a sleepy and permanent planet; the proper function of man is to live, not to exist; I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them; I shall USE my time. ---Jack London
contributed by Heath Batz

You see the Earth as a bright blue and white Christmas tree ornament in the black sky. It's so small and so fragile - you realize that on that small spot is everything that means everything to you; all of history and art and death and birth and love.----Russell Schweikart, astronaut
contributed by Heath Batz

Such as we are made of, such we be.---William Shakespeare contributed by Edmund

You only live once- but if you work it right, once is enough. --- Joe E. Lewis contributed by Sara Grunden

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved -- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves. -- Victor Hugo
Contributed by Carol

We teach what we live.--unknown
Contributed by Bill

In men whom men condemn as ill,
I find so much of goodness still,
In men whom men pronounce divine,
I find so much of sin and blot,
I do not dare to draw a line ,
Between the two where God has not
unknown contributed by Lesa

"From time to time, to remind ourselves to relax, to be peaceful, we may wish to set aside some time for a retreat, a day of mindfulness, when we walk slowly, smile, drink tea with a friend, and enjoy being together as if we are the happiest people on Earth." -- Thich Nhat Hanh
Contributed by Robin Garrison

Time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted time.
T.S. Elliot

In three words, I can sum up everything I've learned about life; it goes on!-----Leo Buscaglia--contributed by Kathleen

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didnt get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.---Buddha----contributed by Kathleen

It is better to deserve an honor and not receive it, than to receive one, and not deserve it!----- Mark Twain----contributed by Tom

Never does a man portray his character more vividly than his proclaiming the character of another.-- Winston Churchill-- contributed by kathleen

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced; live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.--- Cherokee Saying
contributed by Krystal

To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.
--- Emily Dickinson

Keeping the Heart

Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.—Proverbs 4:23

By John T. Read

In casing about for a scripture suitable to the new year, one that could easily be kept in mind and be of constant benefit to us, this admonition from the sayings of Solomon was chosen from among the many that could have been used, as being particularly appropriate. It is taken from a chapter dealing especially with the course of wisdom and was the inspired utterance of one who had been divinely endowed with wisdom and understanding.

Shortly after Solomon ascended the throne of the Lord in the place of his father David, God appeared unto him in a dream and asked what he should give him. Solomon, sensible of his youth and lack of experience, and awed by the responsibility of judging the myriads of God’s chosen people, requested that he might be given an understanding heart to know judgment and to discern between good and evil. This request so pleased the Lord that he said to him:

"Because thou has asked his thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; behold I have done according to thy words; lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor; so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, and keep my statutes and commandments as thy father David did walk, then I will [also] lengthen thy days."—1 Kings 3:5-14

In all probability the foundation for Solomon’s wisdom had been laid in the guidance of the Lord during his youth; and a large part of the honor and riches which he inherited as king, had been built up by the providence and foreknowledge of God before he came into office. But long life was made dependant upon his faithfulness in walking in the Lord’s ways, which constitutes the course of wisdom.

Solomon soon had opportunity to demonstrate his understanding heart. This he did by manifesting much astuteness in deciding the contention of two women over the motherhood of a child to which each laid claim. His unique method of demonstrating which one was the mother of the child gained the approval of Israel and has come down in the records of scripture as a testimony to his understanding of human nature.

But the best testimony to the greatness of his understanding has been in the wisdom of the proverbs that he set forth. According to the statement in 1 Kings 4:32, Solomon uttered 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs or psalms, which means that we have only a portion of them in scripture.

The Purpose of Proverbs

The first seven chapters of Proverbs are addressed to sons and since "whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning" (Rom. 15:4), they are particularly applicable to all who have become the "sons of God," and, grouped together with chapters eight and nine, they voice the praise of wisdom.

The purpose for which the book of Proverbs was written is given in the first five verses of chapter one: "For gaining sagacity and intelligence, for a grasp of wise teachings, for training in right conduct, in duty, goodness, and integrity, for imparting insight to the ignorant, knowledge and sense to the young, for understanding maxims and proverbs, the sentences of sages and their aphorisms" (Moffatt). And then he further adds: "Let the sage, too, listen and learn, let the intelligent know how to handle life." Rotherham translates this last verse: "A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a discreet man, wise counsels will acquire." In other words, a man may be wise and discreet even though he be young; for wisdom does not consist in knowing everything there is to be known, but in the right application of that which we do have and know.

Solomon’s Reign Typical

Many things concerning Solomon and his reign were typical of the thousand-year reign of Christ. Solomon was chosen of God and endowed with wisdom from on high—so is Christ—he was declared to be without equal in wisdom and understanding, either before or after his time—the same is true of Christ but on a much grander scale. He was exalted above all kings, and all paid him homage and brought presents—the same again is true of Christs for all kings shall bow before him. As a result of his wisdom and righteous judgments, Solomon’s reign was a time of peace and prosperity, for "Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon" (1 Kings 4:25).

Again in "A Song of Solomon" (Psa. 72), it is said of the reign of Christ: "In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea [antitypical of Solomon’s dominion, 1 Kings 4:21], and from the river unto the ends of the earth. . . . The kings of Tarshish and the isles shall bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. [1 Kings 10:1-10,] Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall serve him."

Besides wisdom, God gave him riches, glory, and honor. His fame spread throughout all the world. Then too, in the beginning of his reign, he built a house for the habitation of God, a place where God did hear and answer prayer (1 Kings 8:28; 9:3). The stones of that temple were prepared during the reign of David but the erecting of the temple took place under Solomon in the glory age. Likewise the living stones of the great antitypical temple are taken from the quarry of this world and are prepared under the direction of the Lord during this age of the Church’s warfare, suffering, and death; but the erecting of the temple will be the first work of the Glory Age, after Christ takes unto himself his great power and awakens these living stones, that he may assemble them unto himself as head stone to form "the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (Heb. 12:23; Rev. 3:12). It is our opinion, based upon the evidence of events foretold, that the last of these living stones are now receiving their final tests and polishings necessary to prepare them for their eternal resting place. And so it behooves us to give heed to the words of wisdom of which our text is part.

The Heart—What It Signifies

The admonition of our text is "Keep thy heart with all diligence." Why is the heart singled out in this admonition? Why not doctrines or the mind or the tongue? The wise man has not left us in doubt as to the reason: "For out of it are the issues of life." But just what does the heart signify? Why do the issues of life depend upon its condition?

The literal heart is the most vital organ of the human body; through its operation and control of the blood stream, it supplies oxygen and nourishment to all the other parts and carries away the waste products that they may be eliminated through the various means by which this process is accomplished. The operations of all the many organs and functions of the body depends upon the heart. If it becomes affected by weakness or disease, then all the bodily operations suffer impairment. We think and feel because the blood stream supplies life and vitality to the brain. It is because of the vital part that the heart plays in our ability to function as human beings that it is employed to represent the motivating elements of character that determine what we become.

In scripture the heart is used to picture the emotional rather than the purely intellectual part of our thinking. Our desires and affections are represented as coming from the heart, and so constitute an outward indication of its true condition. The study and grasp of truth that calls forth no sentiment in connection therewith will have no beneficial effect upon the life; but if such study includes an appreciation and a desire to order our lives in accordance therewith, then the emotional part of our thinking, the heart, has been called into action and there will be a proportionate result in our lives; for "with the heart the man believeth unto righteousness." The unemotional perception of truth will not lead unto righteousness; but the heart perception, that which calls into play the emotions, will do so, and will become evident in the outward life; for "with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:10).

Much of our thinking concerns only the reasoning ability of our minds. Some men have studied the Bible just as they would study a book on mathematics, and whereas this may have its effect upon their store of knowledge and increase their reasoning powers, yet it will not transform the moral course of their lives., Therefore we are not told that "as a man thinketh so is he," but "as a man thinketh in his heart so is he." It is the thinking that includes the emotional operation of the mind that determines what we become in character.

In his first letter to the Corinthian church, chapter eight, verse one, Paul states that "knowledge puffeth up but love builds up." Love, in this instance, would be synonomous with wisdom, for wisdom causes one to act so as to make the best use of his knowledge. In the connection in which this scripture occurs, the best use of knowledge would be to refrain from eating meat that had been offered to idols, lest there be a danger, in partaking of such meat, of causing a weaker brother to violate his conscience by doing the same. To take advantage of the knowledge that an idol means nothing, under such circumstances, would only tend to puff up; whereas, to be self-controlled, in order that a brother be not harmed, would result in becoming more God-like.

The Keeping of the Heart

Though the emotional part of one’s thinking is largely the determining factor in what he becomes at heart, nevertheless this emotional (heart) thinking must be controlled through the will, and the will in turn, must be subject to guidance through the operation of the purely reasoning faculty of the mind in its apprehension of the principles of God set forth in his word.

The kind of love thus begotten does not originate in human sentiment or in the natural likes and dislikes but is the result of desires and emotions based upon the principles that activate God. The exercise of God’s love is not dependent upon being pleased with its object. It was while we were enemies and strangers that the love of God operated to provide our redemption through the gift of his only begotten Son to die for us. And so godly love is not merely sentiment—that is, a mental attitude, thought, or judgment permeated or prompted by feeling—but is kindly, charitable thoughts, words, and acts motivated by principle.

The keeping of the heart consists largely in keeping the desires and affections centered upon things above. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead [to all earthly life, hopes, and prospects], and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:1-3).

The doing of this is not an easy task but, as our text indicates, will require the utmost diligence and persevering application. The natural tendencies of the flesh and the allurements of the world all tend to draw us away from the narrow path that leads unto the life. Satan leaves no stone unturned in his endeavor to deflect our desires into other channels. He turned Eve’s desires toward the forbidden fruit. The desires of Solomon, whose words of wisdom our exampled in our text, were turned aside to the seeking and pleasing of many wives. Unsanctified desire is the cause of all our downfalls.

James says, "A man [Christian] is drawn away [from the straight and narrow path] by his own lust [desire that has become inordinate]" (James 1:14). The same Greek and Hebrew words have been translated both as "desire" and "lust," depending evidently upon the character of the desire. Peter says: "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). Then Paul says, "Walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16).

Inordinate desire, in so far as the saints are concerned, is not restricted to things that would be looked upon as evil, but includes anything that would draw us away from our covenant of sacrifice and full submission to the will of God. As Paul explains (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23), "All things [not sinful] are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient [margin, profitable]; all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." "I will not be brought under the power of any."

Some let their desires for art, music, literature, science, philosophy, business, or sports occupy all their time and attention. Any one engaged in any of these pursuits is almost compelled to give his full time and attention if he would become a success in the eyes of the world. So the faithful follower of Jesus, who may have to earn his daily bread in some such manner, is at a disadvantage, humanly speaking, but not so actually; for he finds that time and effort, redeemed from such pursuits in the service of the Lord and the study of his word, is not only well repaid, but is vitally essential to spiritual welfare.

Then, too, some have a consuming desire for glory and honor of men. They covet office and power, the direction of large enterprises, and the supervision of successful activities in a social or religious way. The sects and organizations of Christendom have given much opportunity to those who have an inordinate desire for leadership and control over God’s people. So it behooves each one of us, in the year now beginning, to examine carefully our motives and desires, that our hearts may be pure in our Father’s sight.

The keeping of the heart, therefore, will have to do with the control of the desires and affections that they may reflect the glory of the divine character. This will have to be the object of our daily striving if we hope to make our calling and election sure for the conditions of the heart will determine the conditions (outcome) of life. Most of those chosen of the Lord have appeared insignificant in the sight of men; but as God said to Samuel when he sent him to anoint David: "Man looketh upon the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." He judges our works by what he sees in our hearts. He is able to know the intent and the motive that activates us and to judge by the loyalty and obedience manifested just what our lives would be if we had perfect organisms through which to operate.

Just what this year may bring forth none of us know; but praise God, we do know that nothing can pluck us out of his hand or separate us from his love if we continue to trust him.

Playing The Game of Your Life

Five Christian values sports can teach us

by Katie Brazelton and Gail Armatys

Many people would agree that some of our Christian values become obscure as we watch our sports heroes perform. Too often, family time is minimized, productivity at work falls, fights erupt on the field and in the stands, coarse words are exchanged, money is wagered and lost, bodies and hearts are broken. Is there anything good about sports anymore? Yes! In fact, sports can exemplify and teach biblical principles. Let's look at a few examples.


Be prepared. Athletes learn quickly that physical and mental preparation is critical to their success. Memorizing the playbook, practicing plays, lifting weights, and studying films are all part of a player's training. Likewise, preparation in spiritual disciplines is important to the unique impact we make for Christ and the level of joy we find on the journey.


"... be prepared in season and out of season." (2 Timothy 4:2 NIV) This instruction from Paul refers to our readiness to share God's Word. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (NIV) Based on these two verses alone, we can see that preparation is essential to the game plan God has for us.


Everyday you suit up to play the game of life. You have a role to fulfill and lives to touch. How do you prepare? Do you pray, fast, keep a journal, confess sin, meet with an accountability partner, or enjoy a Bible study? How would you answer if you asked yourself each morning, "Am I prepared to respond in obedience when God calls on me to make a play?"


Persevere. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)


Watch a great running back carry the ball. He twists and turns, ducks and dives. Often he is thrown off course and tackled. Other times he strips free from the attempts to stop him and scores. Before each play, he huddles with his captain to find out what he is expected to do next. That is perseverance.


Twisting, turning, ducking, falling, does this sound like your life? Ann Platz, author, book illustrator, and mentor to women, says that she perseveres by viewing roadblocks as times of refreshment and joy. "I finally figured out that roadblocks are often God's test of our character; other times they are just life or the enemy's plan to use discouragement to halt our journey of spiritual growth. I am convinced that obstacles can become incredible doors of opportunities to those who choose to pray their way through them." (Praying for Purpose for Women, page 83)


When there are roadblocks in your life - circumstances or people who bring you down - how do you respond? Do you stop, turn around, and run the other way? Or do you press on, gain wise counsel, and stay focused on God and the path he has just for you?








Practice self-control. A professional athlete's workout regimen requires discipline and self-control in order for him/her to stay in the game. All of them know that regular training and practice is essential to success. Their incentive to live disciplined lives is found in the pay-off of victory.


As Christians, we have incentives, too. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV)


The words 'strict training' in this verse imply self-control. Galatians 5:22 tells us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is fundamental to Christian life. As we respond to the challenges set before us in a spirit of self-control, Jesus is revealed. Football players win games through self-control, and Christians win the delight of our Lord - decidedly, the more preferable of the two.


Use your talent. John Wooden, the legendary coach of the UCLA Bruins, says this about talent, "No matter how you total success in the coaching profession, it all comes down to a single factor - talent." ( First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently: Marcus Buckingham, & Curt Coffman, 2003)


In the book, First, Break All the Rules, the authors, in an effort to dispel a major fallacy among managers, declare that one cannot teach talent; one can only hire those with talent.


From a Christian perspective, this makes perfect sense. What these authors seem to imply, knowingly or not, is that talents are predetermined within us. They cannot be taught because talents are given. "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." (Romans 12:6 NIV) The Great Giver of Grace has blessed each of us with the specific gifts and talents we need to live out his plan for our lives.


Just as a coach knows his players and their talents, God is aware of every single one of your talents and skills. The question is this: Are you aware of your talents, and are you using them?


Focus. In sports, focus is placed on the outcome, the excitement, and often on a "player of the game" - a hero. The joy the athletes and fans feel as they focus on these things is temporary, lasting only until the next challenge, the next big game. In Christian life, focus is also placed on the outcome, which is life everlasting; it is on the excitement of the purposes God has given us; it is on our hero and savior (our Lord God Almighty). "True joy is not based on our circumstances. It is based on our acknowledgment of what Jesus has done for us." (Pathway to Purpose for Women, page 222) Unlike the temporary joy of winning a game, the Christian life reaps everlasting benefits.


Preparation, perseverance, self-control, using our talents, and focusing on God are all important pieces of our Christian life. If we look closely, we may find these practices exemplified in our favorite athletes as they compete. Then, when asked if there is anything good about sports anymore, we may answer with a resounding, "Yes!"





About Katie Brazelton and Gail Armatys

Katie Brazelton, Ph.D., M.Div., M.A., is the author of the runaway-selling, Pathway to Purpose for Women series, with her recent, best-selling anchor book being translated into 10 languages. She is the founder of Life Purpose Coaching Centers, InternationalTM, which trains Christian men and women internationally to become life purpose telephone coaches® and intensive, two-day, life plan facilitators. Visit www.pathwaytopurposeministry.com for more information. For years prior to Katie's book series' launch in 2005, she was a licensed minister at Saddleback Church. Now, she has begun the process of fulfilling her 1995 God-given dream of opening 200 Life Purpose Coaching Centers. Gail Armatys, M.S., was trained by Katie Brazelton as a Christian life purpose coach® and life plan facilitator.Gail is also a certified mediator, has her master's degree in marriage and family counseling, and is co-founder of a private college in Houston, Texas. Katie and Gail can both be reached at WomensInfo@LifePurposeCoachingCenters.com, if you reference the name of this article.

Growing Through Patience

by Rick Warren

Patience is a mark of maturity. If you want to grow spiritually, plan on adding a good deal of patience into your life. When babies don't get what they want immediately, they get very upset. Most children are very impatient: they don't know the difference between "No" and "Not yet." Maturity involves the ability to wait -- to live with delayed gratification.



Patience begins by changing the way you look at something. When I'm impatient, I have limited perspective. All I'm seeing is myself; my needs, my desires, my goals, my wants, my schedule, and how you're messing up my life. First, develop a new perspective. Find a new way of looking at the situation or the person that is giving you problems.



Would you like to know the secret of success? Here it is. If you want to be a successful husband or wife, learn to see life from your spouse's point of view. If you want to be a successful parent, learn to see life from your child's point of view. If you want to be a successful businessperson, learn to see life from your customer's point of view. If you want to be a successful employer, learn to see life from your employee's point of view.


Look at the situation from the other's perspective and discover why someone feels the way they do. I don't know of anything that has greater potential for reducing conflict in your life than to put yourself in the other's shoes.



Look at what the Bible says in the Book of Proverbs. The writer explains, "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense" (Proverbs 19:11). Notice the word wisdom. Do you know what wisdom is? Wisdom is seeing life from God's point of view, getting God's perspective on the situation. From that perspective I gain three important insights (1) I'm only human; I'm not God. Of course God knows that. But He wants me to acknowledge it also. I'm not perfect and I'm not in control. In fact, most things in life I can't control. I'm only human. (2) Nobody else is perfect either, so I shouldn't be surprised or overly upset when people make mistakes or let me down. (3) God is in control, and He can use the situations, the irritations, and the problems that come into my life to accomplish His purposes for me.



Another verse in Proverb declares, "A man's steps are directed by the LORD" (Proverbs 20:24). This means you may experience some divine delays, some heavenly interruptions in your plans. Sometimes the Lord will put irritating people in your life for the purpose of teaching you to get a new perspective. Look at it from God's point of view.



All through the Bible, God equates patience with maturity. Proverbs 14:29 tells us, "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick tempered man displays folly." Patience is a mark of maturity.



How about you? Is there impatience in your life? Are you exasperated with someone or something? Think of how you can look at that person or situation from God's point of view. Get as new perspective. A man of understanding and wisdom, who sees life from God's point of view, is a person who is growing toward maturity in Christ.



Adapted from The Power To Change Your Life by Rick Warren.