Living On Purpose In Christ | Journaling Prompts, Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Faith, God's Peace

104 | Discouraged or Misunderstood? 2 Corinthians Soul Affirmations with Aromatherapy (Bible Study)

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner • Season 2

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When life presses hard and your confidence thins, where does real strength come from? We go chapter by chapter through 2 Corinthians to trace Paul’s hard-won wisdom: comfort that meets us in the dark, power that shows up in weakness, and freedom that grows as the Spirit reshapes our hearts. Along the way, Paula shares a candid story about messy mornings and mismatched shoes, a reminder that God wants presence, not polish—and that simple, repeatable rhythms can turn scattered days into grounded ones.

We lean into the big themes that make this letter so alive for modern faith: the Father of mercies who walks with us, the paradox of grace that steadies us when we feel small, and the unveiled way of transformation that changes us from the inside out. You’ll hear vivid pictures—treasure in jars of clay, light spilling through cracks—and practical applications for caregiving, work, ministry, and friendship. We talk about forgiving what still stings, giving with real joy, and standing firm without hardening our hearts. To help truth travel from head to heart, we pair short affirmations with simple sensory anchors, turning scripture into practices you can carry into any crowded day.

If your spiritual life has felt like a checklist, consider a gentle reset. Breathe, slow down, and let God’s comfort, courage, and clarity meet you where you are. Subscribe for more Christ-centered encouragement, share this with someone who needs hope today, and leave a quick review so others can find the show. So... which promise from 2 Corinthians will you hold onto this week?

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Paula Behrens:

Have you ever felt like life was pressing down so hard that you wondered if you could ever get up again? Have you faced moments when your weaknesses seemed louder than your strengths, when your confidence faltered and when even your faith felt fragile? Have you asked God why me or how can I keep going? These are the very questions to which the Apostle Paul speaks. Today, we're going to walk through his second letter to the Corinthians, chapter by chapter, uncovering the heart of his message, one that is raw, vulnerable, and deeply encouraging for us as followers of Christ today, us who long to walk closer with Jesus. But first, funny story.

Paula Behrens:

When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos, there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices.

Paula Behrens:

Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula, and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review, and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today.

Paula Behrens:

Friend, have you ever sat down with your Bible, a cup of tea, and high hopes for a quiet moment with the Lord, only to find your mind racing with to-do lists, your spirit distracted, or your heart dry? I remember a season when my spiritual life felt more like a checklist than a connection. I had a book of prayers, a seminary degree, and even my favorite kneeling rail in my office. But truthfully, I was just going through the motions at that time. I was hungry for more, more peace, more presence, more of God. I was showing up with all the right tools, but none of the soul satisfying stillness I craved. My time with God became something I did, not something I delighted in. Then the Lord gently reminded me, He never asked me for polished prayers or perfect discipline. He just wanted my presence. And from that moment on, I began creating a space to simply be with him. I built a new rhythm, one that was deeply rooted in grace, filled with scripture, and supported by the soothing presence of his creation that helped me slow down and breathe in deeply. That sacred rhythm is what I now share in the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour. Whether you're spiritually weary, stuck in a routine, or longing for a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit, this hour is your invitation to begin again with grace.

Paula Behrens:

Together, we'll craft a practice that helps you feel grounded, nourished, and deeply connected to God, mind, body, and spirit. You don't have to keep trying to figure it out all on your own. There's a simple way to grow in faith and draw near to God, and I'd be honored to help you find it. Let's breathe in his peace. Let's rediscover his presence. Let's begin again together. Book your Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour at PaulaBehrens.com /coaching. That's Paula Behrens B E H R E N S .com /coaching (no spaces). All right, it's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal, and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens:

Have you ever awakened in the night with your mind racing, asking God, how am I going to make it through today? If you've ever felt that way, you're not alone and you're not without faith. These are exactly the questions the apostle Paul wrestled with when he wrote his second letter to the Corinthians. And his words are not just ancient texts, they are living, breathing truth that speak directly into our modern day struggles. Before we dive in, I want to invite you to make this experience a little more interactive and sensory. Throughout this episode, we'll be pairing affirmations with essential oils to help anchor these truths in your mind, heart, and spirit. I encourage you to have a few oils on hand if you can. Some favorites to you might include Lavender for calm, Frankincense for focus, Peppermint for clarity, Cedarwood for grounding, or citrus oils for joy. If you don't have these specific oils, feel free to use any aromas that help you feel relaxed and centered. Just make sure that they are pure therapeutic essential oils that are going to bring healing to your body. As we move through scripture, you can breathe in the aromas, place a drop on your wrist, or simply enjoy the scent as we speak the affirmations together, letting God's Word and His Spirit work deeply in your life.

Paula Behrens:

Second Corinthians is raw, vulnerable, and intensely practical. Paul does not write from a pedestal of perfection. He writes as someone who is exhausted, criticized, and weak, but whose faith is anchored in the sufficiency of God's grace. And in this letter, he shows us that weakness is not the enemy of faith. It is the stage on which God's power shines most brightly. Today we're going to explore this beautiful, challenging, and encouraging book, uncovering how it applies to our lives as Christians who long to walk closer with Christ, embrace our weaknesses, live with joy, and step boldly into God's calling.

Paula Behrens:

Paul begins his letter praising God as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). Right away, he frames our understanding of God not as a distant, impersonal deity, but as one who enters into our suffering. This is the God who walks beside us in our deepest valleys, who holds us in our sleepless nights, who whispers peace when the world is loud and chaotic. Paul himself had experienced overwhelming trials. He writes, We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. That's chapter 1, verse 8. And yet he testifies that in that despair he learned to rely not on his own strength, but on God's. This is such an important truth for us today. The God who comforts us in our pain also equips us to comfort others.

Paula Behrens:

For Christians, this can be profoundly personal. Perhaps you're a mom who feels drained by the demands of caring for children or grandchildren, or maybe you're a woman caring for an aging parent, or even a single woman navigating workplace challenges and societal pressures. In all these situations, God's comfort is not abstract. It is a tangible, sustaining presence that can breathe life into our weary hearts. As we reflect on God's comfort in our lives, I invite you to take a deep breath and reach for lavender or frankincense. Place a drop on your wrist or simply inhale the aroma from your hands. And as you do, repeat this affirmation after me. God is the Father of mercy and the God of all comfort. His peace surrounds me and flows through me to others. Let his comfort wash over you as you imagine God walking with you through every trial.

Paula Behrens:

One of the most powerful moments in 2 Corinthians comes when Paul writes about his thorn in the flesh. Paul had pleaded with God to remove this ongoing struggle, but God's response was, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (12:9). And this changed everything. This flips everything our culture tells us. We live in a society that prizes strength, self-sufficiency, and outward appearance. But Paul reminds us that weakness is not something to hide. It is the very place where God's glory is often revealed.

Paula Behrens:

In practical terms, this can look like a mother exhausted from endless nights of care, finding renewed strength through prayer and God's Word, or a grandmother feeling inadequate in mentoring her grandchildren, discovering that her honesty about past struggles makes her a more powerful example of faith, or a woman in ministry whose voice feels small in a noisy world, realizing that God's power is amplified precisely where human strength fails.

Paula Behrens:

Now, as we talk about God's power being made perfect in our weakness, take a moment to apply cedarwood or your favorite grounding oil. Feel the scent anchor you as you declare, When I am weak, I am strong in Christ. God's grace is sufficient for me, and his power rests on me. Let this truth settle in your heart, knowing that your limitations are the very place God's strength can shine.

Paula Behrens:

In chapter three, Paul contrasts the old covenant of the law with the new covenant of the Spirit. He explains that the law brought condemnation, but the Spirit brings freedom and transformation. He says, And we all who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory are being transformed into his image with ever increasing glory (3:18). The imagery here is beautiful. Paul paints a picture of believers as those whose faces are unveiled, gazing into the glory of God. As we behold him, the Spirit transforms us. This is not instant perfection, though, but a gradual process of becoming more and more like Christ.

Paula Behrens:

In today's context, this transformation is deeply practical. It might mean learning to respond with patience when a child lashes out. It might mean choosing integrity at work, even when shortcuts are tempting. It might mean forgiveness toward a friend or family member who has wronged you repeatedly. Transformation is not about perfection, it's about a heart continually renewed by God's Spirit. As we consider transformation by the Spirit, grab peppermint or another clarifying oil. Breathe it in deeply and speak this affirmation. The Spirit of the Lord brings freedom. I am being transformed into the image of Christ day by day. Imagine the Spirit gently refining you, shaping your thoughts, actions, and heart with every breath.

Paula Behrens:

Paul writes that we carry a treasure in jars of clay to show that God's all surpassing power comes from Him and not from us (4:7). Clay jars in Paul's day were ordinary and fragile, and yet the gospel, this priceless treasure, rests in these fragile vessels. For us as women today, this truth is liberating. You do not need to have it all together. You do not need to be polished or perfect to be used by God. Your scars, your struggles, your limitations, they are the very channels through which God's light shines. Think of a crack jar holding a candle. The cracks allow light to spill out. Your weaknesses can illuminate the gospel to the people around you, the friends who need encouragement, the child who needs example, the neighbor who needs hope. As you embrace your role as a fragile yet treasured vessel, reach for Bergamot or Rosemary or a scent that uplifts you. Inhale and say aloud, I am a vessel for God's glory. My weaknesses display his power and light. Picture your scars as cracks in a vessel, letting your light shine out into the lives of those around you.

Paula Behrens:

Paul urges the Corinthians to forgive a repentant brother, showing that God's grace extends through our relationships as well as our personal trials. Forgiveness is rarely easy. It often feels counterintuitive and uncomfortable. Yet forgiveness restores hearts, builds community, and mirrors Christ's own mercy toward us. In practical terms today, forgiveness could mean letting go of bitterness toward a spouse who repeatedly disappoints, or extending grace to a friend who has betrayed trust. It does not excuse the sin, but it liberates your own heart. As we reflect on forgiveness, diffuse Ylang Ylang or Sandalwood, or put a drop in your hand, or any scent that feels soft and soothing. Then breathe in the wonderful aroma and repeat this affirmation with me. I choose forgiveness, I release bitterness and embrace God's peace. Imagine letting go of resentment and feeling your heart lighten with God's grace.

Paula Behrens:

Paul highlights the Macedonian churches who gave generously despite their poverty. He encourages the Corinthians that true generosity is a joyful offering from the heart. This principle is timeless. God loves a cheerful giver. Generosity is not limited to money. It includes our time, attention, prayers, and encouragement. The woman who volunteers at her local church, the grandmother mentoring her grandchildren, or the neighbor who delivers meals to someone in need, all of these are acts of cheerful giving. For generosity and a joyful heart, breathe in a citrus oil like orange or lemon. Say this affirmation. I give generously from my heart, and God multiplies every seed I sow. Picture your acts of kindness flowing outward, blessing others and being multiplied by God's goodness.

Paula Behrens:

Paul calls the church to stand firm. Standing firm can be lonely and costly, yet it is essential. For Christian women, this may mean teaching children God's Word faithfully, choosing integrity over convenience at work, or lovingly holding friends accountable in their walk with Christ. Standing firm does not mean pride or judgment, it means obedience and faithfulness. To feel grounded as we stand firm in God's word, apply Cedarwood or a blend called Grounding to your wrists. Speak this declaration. I stand firm in God's Truth. I am not swayed by the world. His Word is my anchor. Imagine roots of faith growing deep, holding you steady in every trial.

Paula Behrens:

Paul reminds us that our light and momentary troubles are anchors of eternal glory. This perspective reshapes how we experience trials, things we go through, physical exhaustion, emotional pain, and relational challenges, which are temporary, but God's eternal work, well, that's never ending. As we close with an eternal perspective, breathe in Frankincense or a comforting oil that draws your mind heavenward. Speak this affirmation. These trials are temporary. My hope is anchored in Christ, and his glory is eternal. Let your heart rise above the difficulties of today and dwell in the joy of God's promises forever.

Paula Behrens:

If all of this feels overwhelming, or if you long for a personalized plan to strengthen your devotional life, I invite you to book an Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour with me. Together we'll pray, identify what's draining your spiritual energy, and create a sustainable devotional rhythm. We'll also integrate essential oils as sensory anchors for prayer, reflection, and peace. Book your session now at PaulaBehrens.com /coaching. That's Paula Behrens B E H R E N S .com /coaching (no spaces). Let's walk this sacred journey together, surrounded by truth, purpose, and the sweet aroma of His presence.

Paula Behrens:

Thank you for tuning in today. And remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the Church Potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more women like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning in to Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.