Living On Purpose In Christ | Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Essential Oils, Daily Prayer, Journal Prompts

110 | Feeling Emotionally Drained in a Stress Filled World? Discover Colossians (Bible Study and Devotional)

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Essential Oils Practitioner • Season 2

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Ever feel like you’re doing all the “right” spiritual things yet your peace keeps slipping through your fingers? We take a fresh look at Colossians to find a center that holds, tracing Paul’s letter from a church pulled in many directions to a people grounded in the sufficiency of Christ. Along the way, we swap the self-improvement spiral for deep rootedness, and we explore how identity in Jesus changes emotional health from the inside out.

We start with the tension in Colossae: competing teachings, legalism, and trendy spirituality. Then we lift up Paul’s sweeping vision of Jesus as the image of the invisible God who holds all things together, including anxious hearts and messy days. From there, we get practical: how to “put off” corrosive reactions, “put on” compassion and patience, and let Christ’s peace act like an umpire when emotions flare. You’ll hear simple, doable rhythms that help you stay steady: letting Scripture dwell richly, practicing watchfulness and cultivating thankfulness that grounds your emotions.

If you’ve been searching for a calmer way to live your faith, this conversation offers gentle structure and strong theology. We talk about gracious speech that carries the flavor of Christ, purpose in everyday encounters, and why you don’t have to earn wholeness when you already have it in Him. Walk away with language for your next hard moment, a handful of practices to reset your day, and a renewed confidence that Jesus is enough for peace, growth, and joy.

Want guided help to build a rhythm that fits your life? Book the Aroma of Christ coaching hour at paulabehrens.com/coaching and, if this resonated, follow, share, and leave a quick review so more friends can find their footing in Christ.

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Paula Behrens:

Have you ever felt like you're doing all the right things, reading your Bible, praying, showing up for church, but still something inside feels a little off balance? Like your sense of peace is gradually slipping away. You're not falling apart, but you're not exactly thriving either. You know what? The believers in Colossae were feeling something similar. They loved Jesus, but they were getting pulled in a dozen directions. There were teachers coming around saying, sure, Christ is good, but don't forget this special knowledge, or you'll really be holy if you follow this rule or that ritual. Paul's letter to the Colossians is a beautiful, heartfelt reminder. Jesus is enough completely, perfectly, eternally. Everything we need for emotional, spiritual, and even mental wholeness is found in Him. In just a few moments, we'll dive into a very interesting message for today, not as theologians, but as friends who want to live grounded, peaceful, emotionally healthy lives in Christ. But let me share a 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. 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:

Hey friend, I want to personally invite you to the Aroma of Christ coaching hour. If you've been feeling spiritually dry, this is your opportunity to reignite your love for time with God. It isn't just another Bible study or spiritual to-do list. It's a deeply intentional one-on-one session where you'll experience a rhythm that truly fits your life, all while using your senses. Before our coaching call, you'll receive an essential oil sampler to use during our online session to enhance this fun spiritual journey. We'll partner together to design a peaceful, Christ-centered rhythm that helps you breathe again spiritually and emotionally. You'll walk away with clarity, focus, and a renewed connection to the Holy Spirit. Go right now to PaulaBehrens.com/coaching to book your session. That's Paula Behrens B E H R E N S .com/coaching (no spaces). It's time to stop trying to figure it out alone and start connecting with God in a way that finally feels like refreshment for your soul. Check the show notes to save your spot while the Peace RESET is still on the table. 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:

Picture this: Paul is in prison, he's writing to a church that he didn't personally start. A man named Epaphras, one of Paul's co-workers, had gone to Colossae and shared the gospel there. People came to Christ, the church was born, but not long after, confusion crept in, a mix of Jewish legalism, Greek philosophy, and something like early mysticism. So from his prison cell, Paul writes this letter. And what he's really saying is, friends, you don't need to add anything to Jesus. He is everything you'll ever need for your salvation, for your peace, and for your growth. Doesn't that just make you take a deep breath of relief? Then Paul thanks God for the believers' faith and love and prays that they would be filled with the knowledge of God's will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Paula Behrens:

Now, when I read that, I always pause for a moment because that's exactly what we crave when we're emotionally tired: wisdom and understanding. We want to know how to walk through the ups and downs of life without falling apart. And then Paul gives us this breathtaking description of Jesus. He writes, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created, and in him all things hold together. That last phrase always gets me. In him all things hold together. Even when your emotions feel like they're falling apart, even when your home feels chaotic, even when your heart feels fragile, Jesus is holding it all together. That means your worth isn't in how well you perform or how emotionally together you feel. Your worth is in Christ, who already holds you in perfect love. And Paul says Christ has reconciled us, meaning he has restored the relationship between us and God. You're not at war with him anymore. You're his child, his beloved, fully accepted and fully loved.

Paula Behrens:

Chapter 2 is where Paul starts warning the church about spiritual counterfeits. He says, Don't let anyone take you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy. In modern language, Paul might say, Don't let trendy spirituality pull you away from the truth you already have in Christ. We see this all the time today, don't we? Messages like, you just need to find your higher self, or you can manifest your own peace. It sounds empowering, but it's empty without Jesus. Paul says instead, So then, just as you receive Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. There's that word again. Rooted. Emotional health for a believer doesn't come from trying harder or finding the perfect self-care formula, it comes from being rooted in Christ. You can picture it like this, your soul is a tree, the storms of life will blow, sometimes fiercely. But if your roots go deep into Jesus, his love, his truth, his presence, you'll stay standing. You might bend a little, but you won't break. And then Paul reminds us that in Christ we are complete. I don't know about you, but I need that reminder often because it's so easy to think if I could only fix this about myself, then I'd feel whole. But Paul says, No, in him, in Christ, you are already complete. You don't need to earn your wholeness. You already have it. You are already made whole in Christ.

Paula Behrens:

Now, chapter three is where it gets practical and personal. Paul says, Since you have already been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above. That's not just poetic language, friend. It's an invitation to refocus your emotions. It's as if Paul is saying, Lift your eyes up, remember who you belong to. Because let's be honest, our emotions can take us on quite a ride. Anger, frustration, disappointment, insecurity, they all pop up from time to time. But when we set our hearts on things above, we remember that those emotions don't have the final say. Paul then lists things we're called to put off, like anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, basically the emotional junk that keeps us stuck. And in its place, he says, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. It's almost like getting dressed in the morning. When you lean into the indwelling Holy Spirit, you can choose what emotional clothing you will wear. And here's the beautiful part Paul doesn't say, just try harder to be nice. He says, Because you are God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves.

Paula Behrens:

Did you catch that order? He doesn't say, be good so God will love you. He says, You are already loved. So live like it. Clothe yourself in the fruit that comes through the Spirit. That's the foundation of emotional health for a believer. We don't try to be peaceful, compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient to earn God's love. We rest in Him, and all those things will grow in our hearts from there. And right in the middle of that chapter, Paul gives one of my favorite verses for emotional stability. He says, Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace and be thankful. Now that word "rule" means to act like an umpire. Let peace call the shots. When your emotions start flaring up, ask, Does this align with Christ peace? If not, maybe it's time to pause and reset. And then Paul reminds us that the word of Christ should dwell richly among us. That means you don't just read your Bible, you soak in it. Let it become the voice that shapes your inner world.

Paula Behrens:

The final chapter of Colossians feels like Paul's personal goodbye, but it's also full of little gems for daily living. He says, Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. That's such a steadying rhythm. Prayerful, watchful, thankful. Prayer keeps you connected. Watchfulness keeps you discerning. Thankfulness keeps you grounded. And then Paul says something that touches the heart of every believer who wants to live with purpose. He says, Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt. In other words, let your words carry the flavor of Christ. Whether you're talking to your kids, your spouse, a co-worker, or a stranger in line at the grocery store, your tone and your words can point someone else to Christ.

Paula Behrens:

The letter to the Colossians gives us a Christ-centered path toward emotional wholeness. It reminds us that wholeness doesn't come from trying to fix ourselves, it comes from surrendering ourselves. It teaches us that spiritual growth isn't about adding more "to-dos," it's about deepening our "to-be." And it reminds us that joy, peace, and security flow naturally when our roots are in Christ alone. So when you feel insecure, remember you are complete in him. When you feel out of control, remember he holds all things together. When you feel unseen, remember you are chosen, holy, and dearly loved. Paul's message is not just theology, it's therapy for the soul. So if you've been struggling to stay emotionally grounded, take heart, friend, you don't have to chase balance. You just need to stay connected to the one who holds balance itself.

Paula Behrens:

Before we close, let me ask you, what would it look like for you to live this week rooted in Christ? Maybe it's as simple as starting your morning with one verse from Colossians and a deep breath, letting his peace rule in your heart before the world rushes in. Maybe it's putting away old habits of negative self-talk and instead reminding yourself, I am chosen, holy and dearly loved. Or maybe it's letting gratitude overflow, even in the middle of hard things, because you trust that Christ is holding it all together. Whatever it looks like, my prayer is that you will feel lighter, freer, and more emotionally anchored in him. Because when Christ is at the center, peace isn't far behind.

Paula Behrens:

If this episode has stirred something in you, that longing to live more peacefully, more deeply connected to God, and more emotionally anchored in Christ, I want to invite you to take the next step. Join me for a personal Aroma of Christ coaching hour plus Peace RESET. This is a gentle, prayerful, and sensory experience designed especially for Christians who want to reconnect with God in the quiet places of the heart. Together we'll explore what's been stealing your peace, and we'll walk through a beautiful process of spiritual and emotional renewal using biblical truth and the power of scent. When you schedule your session, you'll also receive a free essential oil sampler, a curated blend we'll use together during our session to help create calm, focused, and Christ-centered emotional balance. It's my gift to you. A little reminder that God designed both your spirit and your senses to experience his presence in everyday life. So when you're ready to take what we talked about today, peace, wholeness, rootedness in Christ, and make it part of your real daily rhythm, I'd love to walk with you through this process. You can book your Aroma of Christ coaching hour plus Peace RESET at paulabehrens.com/coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H R E-N-S .com/coaching (no spaces). And remember, friend, when Christ is at the center, peace isn't far behind.

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 listeners 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 into Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.