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

112 | Can Essential Oils Deepen Your Devotions? A Bible Study of Philippians with Aromas

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

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What if joy could bloom in the quiet places of your life? We explore Philippians as a map to joy, humility, peace, and contentment, pairing Scripture with simple practices that slow the mind and open the heart to God’s nearness. 

From prison-born praise to a thought life that guards peace, we offer grounded steps to live this letter every day. Together we practice a livable rhythm—short prayers, simple breathwork, and small sensory cues that help the soul slow down and listen. You’ll hear how humility becomes a fragrance people can feel, why being “poured out” is not losing but belonging, and how to trade résumé religion for a daily relationship that lightens your steps. Thought life becomes the turning point—welcoming calm and clarity.

We close with Paul’s rare treasure: contentment in every circumstance. Not complacency, but confidence in God’s care. From reconciling relationships to generous giving that rises like a fragrant offering, Philippians sketches a way of life that smells like grace—steady, bright, and deeply human. If you’re longing for a devotional rhythm that fits a real schedule and a busy mind, you’ll find practical guidance to breathe, reset, and return to Jesus throughout the day.

If this episode lifts your heart, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find biblical encouragement. Join our Facebook community for Christ-centered wellness conversations and monthly freebies at DevotionDrops.com, and explore the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour to craft a peaceful, personal plan with God.

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Paula Behrens:

Have you ever caught an aroma that instantly brought peace to your heart? Maybe it was lavender drifting from a diffuser as you opened your Bible, or frankincense rising gently as you prayed. There's something sacred about the way God wired our sense of smell, isn't there? It can awaken us, it can soothe us, and even anchor us in his presence. Today we're diving into one of the most joy-filled books of the Bible, Philippians. And as we journey through this letter from Paul, we'll also explore how a simple fragrance, like a drop of essential oil or a whisper of aroma, can remind us that God is near. Okay, stick with me until the end because I'll be telling you about our private Facebook group, a cozy online space for Christians who love biblical encouragement and faith-centered conversations about spiritual wellness. And also, there's a freebie you can grab each month.

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:

You want to grow closer to God, but let's be honest, your days are full, your mind is busy, and your devotional routine feels more like a struggle than a sanctuary. That's exactly why I created the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour. This one-on-one session is designed to make deepening your relationship with God simple, peaceful, and personal. No pressure, no overwhelm, just a guided, spirit-led approach to help you reset and reconnect with Jesus in a way that truly fits your life. You won't leave empty-handed either. Before our coaching call, you'll receive an essential oil sampler to use during our online session to enhance this fun spiritual journey. You'll walk away with everything you need to continue your journey, including a printable devotional planning guide to help you stay consistent, a beautiful gospel reading plan that walks you through the life of Jesus, a downloadable prayer journal to reflect, process, and pray intentionally, and practical guidance on how to use essential oils to quiet your mind and invite peace into your spiritual practices. You don't need fancy tools or hours of free time. You just need a doable plan and someone to help you make it real. So let's make your devotional life easy, meaningful, and refreshingly Christ-centered. It's time to simplify your spiritual life so you can savor it again. Book your Aroma of Christ coaching hour today at PaulaBehrens.com/coaching. That's Paula Behrens B E H R E N S .com/coaching (no spaces). Look for a link in the show notes.

Paula Behrens:

All right, it's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal, cozy up to your favorite beverage, and let's dive in. The book of Philippians isn't written from a mountaintop. It's written from a prison cell. Picture this. Paul under house arrest in Rome, chained to a Roman guard, his freedom is gone, his future is uncertain, and yet he's overflowing with joy. That's not natural joy, it is supernatural, the kind that rises from deep within the soul because Christ is the anchor. Paul writes, I thank my God every time I remember you. Can't you almost hear the smile in his voice? Paul's heart is filled with gratitude for the Philippians, the first church he planted in biblical times. These were his spiritual children, his partners in spreading the gospel. And then comes a promise that has comforted generations of believers. He who begin a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. When I read that verse, I sometimes take a deep inhale of something grounding like cedar wood or myrrh essential oil, and let it settle into my spirit. It's a way of saying, Lord, I trust you to finish what you've started in me.

Paula Behrens:

Paul's circumstances didn't dictate his joy because his focus wasn't on what he lacked, it was on who he belonged to. He even writes, What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Can you imagine saying that while in chains? Paul did. He saw his hardship as holy ground, his guards as his congregation, and his pain became his pulpit. When I think about that, I picture diffusing a bright, hopeful scent like citrus or peppermint, something that wakes up the senses and says, God is still working here. God can bring joy out of confinement, peace out of pressure, and beauty out of broken places. Paul writes, For to me to live is Christ and to die is gained. It's one of those verses that makes you pause and whisper, Wow. That kind of focus is freeing. It's like clearing a mental clutter, the same way you might clear the air with a refreshing scent of eucalyptus or lemon. Paul closes the first chapter by encouraging the Philippians to stand firm in one spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. That's the kind of unity we need in our homes, our churches, and our communities, hearts aligned under one name, Jesus.

Paula Behrens:

If chapter one shows us joy in hardship, chapter two shows us the fragrance of humility. Paul says, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Now, humility doesn't always come naturally. It's something we practice. Then Paul gives us one of the most stunning pictures of Jesus' humility in all of Scripture. He writes, Though he was in the form of God, he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. And because of that obedience, God exalted him to the highest place. That's the beautiful paradox of Philippians. The way up is down, and the path to glory runs through humility. When we choose to serve others, to love quietly and faithfully, we reflect the aroma of Christ Himself. Paul says, Do everything without complaining or arguing, then you will shine like stars in the sky. Isn't that a lovely image? Even small acts of grace, like a kind word, a gentle response, or a moment of patience, can carry the fragrance of Jesus to those who need it most. Paul goes on to describe his own life as a drink offering poured out for the sake of others. He rejoices even in his sacrifice. That word poured out always reminds me of the aromatic oils found in the Bible, something precious and purposeful. When we anoint someone or even use an oil in prayer, we're symbolizing surrender and consecration. We're saying, Lord, my life belongs to you. Pour me out for your glory. Imagine how differently our days might look if we approach them that way, choosing to pour out love, grace, and forgiveness, even when it costs something.

Paula Behrens:

In chapter three, Paul turns personal. He looks back at his religious credentials, his status, achievements, and heritage, and he basically says, None of it compares to knowing Jesus. Paul realized that real joy comes not from accomplishment, but from relationship. Sometimes we hold on to old patterns, right?, like guilt or striving, thinking they'll bring us closer to God. But Philippians reminds us that intimacy with Christ begins where self-reliance ends. When we let go of the weight we're carrying, our regrets, our anxieties, our need to be in control, we make room for the Holy Spirit to move more freely within us. Paul's words invite us to run the race, eyes fixed on Jesus, hearts lightened by grace. He says, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. There is such freedom in that. It's not about perfection, it's about direction. You may not have it all figured out yet, and that's okay. Paul says just keep pressing on, keep moving forward, keep breathing in his truth and his peace.

Paula Behrens:

Then we arrive at chapter four, the heart of Christian peace and contentment. Paul begins by encouraging two women in the church, Euodia and Syntyche, to reconcile. He's teaching us that unity matters to God and that disunity steals joy. He's teaching us that forgiveness restores it. And then he says, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice. You can almost hear him clapping his hands for emphasis. And right after that comes this gentle reminder, let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near, he's here right now. Then Paul gives us his famous antidote to anxiety, saying, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When I'm feeling anxious, I'll sometimes pair my prayer time with maybe something like Roman chamomile or cedar wood. Not because the scent itself is magical, but because it reminds me to breathe deeper, to slow down, and to bring every thought captive to Christ. Paul continues, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, think about such things. Our thought life determines our peace level. What we meditate on shapes our mood, our choices, even our faith posture. You might think of it like this. Just as an oil blend can shift the atmosphere of a room, our thoughts can shift the atmosphere of our hearts. When we dwell on what is good, lovely, and praiseworthy, we fill our inner space with light. So maybe as you're diffusing something gentle like lavender or spearmint, you let that verse become your focus. You ask God, Lord, renew my mind. Replace my worries with your truth. Fill this space inside and around me with your peace.

Paula Behrens:

Then Paul in chapter 4, verses 11 through 13 reveals a secret most people spend their whole lives chasing, contentment. He writes, I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances. Contentment doesn't mean complacency, it means confidence in God's care. It's that deep inner knowing that says, even here, when the plans fall apart, Christ is enough. You can almost sense Paul writing those words with a calm smile, maybe gazing out his small window in Rome, breathing in the quiet assurance that he is held by God. And that's what I want for you too. When you sit with God, Bible open, diffuser humming softly, heart surrendered, you're creating space for the same peace that carried Paul through his prison days. It's the peace that whispers, You are not alone, I'm right here with you.

Paula Behrens:

Paul ends his letter by thanking the Philippians for their generosity, and he wanted them to know how deeply he appreciated them. He wrote, I am amply supplied now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice pleasing to God. Paul uses sent language intentionally. Their giving, their love, their faith, it rose up to God like the aroma of worship. That's one of my favorite images in all of Philippians because it ties everything together: the joy, the humility, the service, and the peace. Every act of faith, every prayer, every word of kindness becomes a sweet aroma to God. When you step back and look at Philippians as a whole, you see a rhythm of life that smells a lot like the aroma of grace. It's the rhythm of joy that bubbles up in hardship. It's the rhythm of humility that pours itself out in love. It's the rhythm of peace that quiets anxious hearts. It's the rhythm of contentment that rests in Christ's sufficiency. And that's something you can live every single day.

Paula Behrens:

When you begin your morning with a deep breath, maybe with a drop of citrus oil for energy or frankincense for prayer, and you whisper, Lord, help me live on purpose in you today, you're living Philippians. When you choose to forgive, to serve, to let go of the past, you're living Philippians. When you exchange anxiety for prayer and gratitude, you're living Philippians. When your home carries not just the aroma of essential oils, but the fragrance of Christ's love, you're living Philippians. The world is desperate for that kind of faith, one that smells like peace, joy, and grace in motion. So go ahead and breathe it in. Let the word of God settle over you like a soft fragrance of hope. And remember, He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion.

Paula Behrens:

Okay, if today's show spoke to your heart, and especially if you love using essential oils as part of your devotional or prayer life, I'd love for you to join me and other faith-filled listeners inside my Facebook community. It's a cozy little space where we talk about biblical encouragement, Christ-centered wellness, and using God's creation, including essential oils, to draw nearer to him. And don't forget those monthly freebies. You can find us by visiting devotiondrops.com. That's devotion drops d-r-o-p-s .com (no spaces). It's a place to breathe, belong, and believe together, one drop of faith at a time.

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.