Dying to Self: Stepping into your Purpose
The Bible verse "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established" (Proverbs 16:3) emphasizes the power of surrendering our goals and ambitions to God, letting Him guide and transform them for a higher purpose. For some, the concept of “dying to self” may sound intimidating, but it's not about abandoning everything you've worked for or giving up your dreams. Instead, it's about letting go of self-gratifying desires and trusting in God’s plan for your life, allowing Him to use your talents and passions in ways that bring true, lasting fulfillment.
When we live solely for ourselves—for our image, success, or popularity—it can be tempting to believe we are on the path to freedom. After all, the world often rewards those who seek attention, wealth, or prestige. But this self-centered pursuit usually leads to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and a constant desire for more, leaving us unsatisfied. The more we chase after external validation, the more we find ourselves looking for worldly attention to fill the hole in our hearts, a void only God's love can truly fill.
Letting go of selfish desires is like pruning a tree. In John 12:24, Jesus says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” This means that dying to self allows us to shed what’s harmful, so God can bring forth new life in us—like a tree growing healthy fruit after dead branches have been pruned away. God doesn’t want to diminish who you are; in fact, by surrendering your life to Him, He elevates your potential. 1 Peter 5:6 reminds us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”
So, what does this look like in our day-to-day life? It’s easy for our thoughts to become consumed with questions like: Am I good enough? Will this make me happy? Am I successful? We convince ourselves that achieving this goal, buying that item, or dating the right person will bring us happiness. But these thoughts stem from discontentment, and the truth is, they are illusions. Romans 8:6 warns us, “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” This means that when we fixate on temporary pleasures or external achievements, we remain in a cycle of temporary satisfaction that never truly fulfills us. We chase fleeting moments of success, only to find ourselves empty and looking for more.
We are like a pond that needs constant refilling rather than tapping into the endless stream of living water. That infinite stream is found in God, who provides true sustenance, light, and fulfillment. As we navigate our thoughts, we must learn to discern between what is destructive and what leads to genuine contentment. Philippians 4:8 calls us to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. By shifting our focus to these qualities and to God’s presence in our lives, we begin to access the living water that sustains us, rather than chasing fleeting things that leave us empty.
This journey of letting go of selfish desires isn’t easy, but with God, anything is possible. He doesn’t expect perfection overnight; instead, He patiently transforms our hearts as we surrender our ambitions to Him, step by step. Dying to self means letting go of what was never meant to be part of our identity—our selfishness, our pride, our anxiety—so that we can become the people God intended us to be.
When we commit our work to the Lord, we’re not abandoning our dreams. Rather, we’re allowing God to shape them into something greater than we ever imagined. This is the true meaning of fulfillment—allowing God to establish our plans and use them for a higher purpose. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that when we let God work in us, we bear the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Each day, we must make the choice to seek God in prayer, ask for strength to push away negative thoughts, and trust that He will transform our lives. The process may feel challenging at times, but the beauty of faith is knowing that God is always guiding us to true peace and fulfillment. As we commit our ambitions to Him, we can have confidence that He will not only guide us but lift us up to new heights. Never lose hope in this journey of spiritual growth, because God is working in you, and with Him, anything is possible.