Powerful questions are one of my favorite coaching tools….and that my friends is a powerful question. In Christian Coaching by Dr. Gary Collins powerful questions are described as thought-provoking questions that stimulate fresh thinking, lead to new insights, clarify issues and challenge us to explore innovative possibilities. They often catch a person off guard and cause her to stop and think. You may even have been twirling that question around the back of your mind as you kept reading. And if you haven’t been, you need to be because I’m asking YOU – how do you want your life to be different a year from now?
What you may not realize is that your answer to the question (or lack thereof) will reveal much about your current situation and not just the state of your mind but also the state of your heart.
Possible answer: I have no idea!
What that may reveal: I’m am so ________ (insert your own adjective…busy…crazy…stressed) that I’ve never really thought about it.
What you need to know: If you are not heading anywhere, then that is exactly where you will end up. Friend, take some time to think this over and ask God about it. Don’t let the years tick off the calendar never knowing where you are headed or who you want to become. Take some time for YOU to figure this out and then take steps to move in that direction even if you feel like you are moving in slow motion.
God’s truth: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 He has a plan and YOU are a part of it.
Possible answer: I just want to feel less ________ (stressed, worried, scared, unsure). Or the opposite…I would love more _______ (peace, happiness, fulfillment).
What that may reveal: I am burdened right now. I long for escape, a different life, an answer to my problems, hope.
What you need to know: There is HOPE for you! And the best news is that some of those feelings can be overcome or achieved even while your circumstances are exactly the same. God’s promise is that He will do the heavy lifting and we need only to do our part. You can read more about that here.
God’s truth: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 While it may feel like you are being crushed (perhaps even just by the drudgery of daily life, laundry, work, etc.) KNOW that God is working good for you through ALL circumstances.
Possible answer: I think I might have an idea but I can’t bring myself to say it out loud. What if people make fun of me…don’t believe I can…don’t support me. I don’t know if I’m capable of it.
What that reveals: God is at work and YOU are listening…open…willing to think about taking some risks and living the life He made you to live. That’s exciting!
What you need to know: You are on the right track…keep pressing in! There is something God is whispering into your heart and if it’s from Him then it’s meant to be. It doesn’t matter what your weaknesses are or what how much of the picture you can see. Just keep taking steps forward, one at a time and you WILL get there.
God’s truth: Yet she did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in her faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21 God’s promises are for you and he cannot break them. The promises in the verses above will be upheld! He is constant, good and faithful. You can proceed with him in full trust.
I have two fantastic resources to share on the subject of where God may be taking your life and how to wrestle through the figuring it out and making it happen. I’ve read them both. Not only are they easy reads but they are full of wisdom and truths that are very applicable to our daily lives.
You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream – Opening the Door to All God Has for You by Holley Gerth
Restless – Because you were made for More by Jennie Allen
Leave a comment below if you are feeling brave…tell us HOW you would like your LIFE to be DIFFERENT one year from NOW!
7 thoughts on “Powerful Questions”
This entire post speaks to me right now. Looks like I need to purchase these resources and start reading to help me see where God is leading me and how to figure it all out!
Awesome Lori! The books are different from each other but both incredibly helpful.
I will get the one book from you when I’m done with the first one. Holly Gerth’s is an easy read. Thanks.
So many possible answers running through my head, but here goes: I would like to have conviction that I am on the right path, doing what God is calling me to do. I would like to be healthier. I would like to be more purposeful in many areas of my life instead of flitting around or dabbling at the edge of what I’m called to do. I want to be ‘All In’ in my spiritual life, with my family, and finally with my career. Thanks Allison for sharing of yourself through your blog! This is a start of an amazing journey!! (maybe for both of us!)
Thanks for being brave and responding Kelly! I love that you are thinking about this and most importantly looking to God for his direction. It sounds like you have many worthy goals. Take one area at a time, get as specific as you can and then start to consider how you can make it a reality in your life. For example, being healthier could be as simple as reducing the number of sodas you drink in a day to losing a certain number of pounds or having a habit of regular exercise. Think about exactly what improvement in these areas looks like. When you say you want to me “all in” with your spiritual life, what specifically does that mean to you? Get the idea? Once you have a clear vision, determining the steps to get there will be much easier. Praying for you!
I feel like I fail God every single day. I know there is so much more I should be doing, but don’t know where to start.
Hi Danielle, I think you are expressing a feeling that we can all relate to. Sometimes we get caught up in our failures and weaknesses and they drag us right down. Here are a couple of verses to hang on to:
Romans 5:8 – 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He knows every part of our heart and every misstep we would take and sent Christ anyway.
2 Cor. 12:9 – 9 Each time he said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.”
Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living
demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and
abilities. Our weaknesses and failures show off his power and love and goodness.
There is much to do and lots we could do better but the best place to start is right at Jesus feet. Praying you feel his love today Danielle!