Finding Meaning, Purpose, and Value

 

"An existential crisis is a moment at which an individual question if their life has meaning, purpose, or value"  (Richard K. James, Crisis intervention strategies, 2012).

Viktor Frankl called this frustration the will-to-meaning.  In other words, failing to find meaning and a sense of responsibility in this life.  Thinking about my addictions class at school, and some recovery meetings I've been to, this seems to be a common thread in the life of the person suffering from the condition of addiction.

This sense of meaningless also seems to stem from a deep sense of shame and feeling of worthlessness.  After all, if we have been made to feel defective and we believed that lie, then we conclude that our life has little to no meaning.

If there is one major positive outcome from giving our life to Jesus, it is that we begin to find meaning to life and meaning to our existence.  We begin to discover our true character and calling in life.  That's not to say that finding meaning in suffering causes all suffering and pain to end.  However, it does mean that even while dealing with painful situations that may trigger feelings of shame, we can still know that we have value and know that we have a destiny i.e. we have meaning to life regardless of present and future triggers or temptations.

Jesus clearly said that in this world we would have trouble, but he also said that we can be positive in the face of trouble because he overcame trouble.  Not only that, but he promises to make us over-comers of our trouble.  What this means is that trouble i.e. suffering, has at least one meaning and purpose and that it is to present us with an opportunity to build self-confidence, build our faith up in Christ, and make us more aware of our abilities.  In short, troubles give meaning our existence, and that is to learn to become an over-comer through our sufferings.  (Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 1:4 &6; 4:7-13, 17)

Being an over-comer can be as simple as organizing our room or as difficult as learning new behaviors and thought patterns as we recover from behaviors such as gambling, compulsive helping, toxic anger, sexual irresponsibility, excessive spending, or over-eating.  The reason these behaviors begin is that we lack a sense of meaning; Jesus said it best when he said he came to save the lost sheep.

I understand that the nature of sin may be involved, but we can't just tell someone to quit sinning so that they can find a sense of meaning.  Jesus said, come to me and I will give you rest, he did not say quit sinning and I will give your rest.

Sin may lead us to make poor choices but being lost and feeling worthless and meaningless happened through a process of decisions or substance use.  It will take a process of understanding the love of God and his valuation of us as priceless that begins to give us a sense of meaning and purpose.  (2 Corinthians 7:6) But God encourages those who are troubled.

I think I’m going to make a small series of teachings about finding meaning, value, and purpose in our life, regardless of the age bracket we currently find ourselves.