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

116 | Biblical Business Building: Anchored Ambition (2 Thes. Bible Study and Devotional)

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

Share episode

Find the full episode here >>> LivingOnPurposeInChrist.com/blog

We unveil why Paul’s short letter still speaks to entrepreneurs, parents, and leaders who want their work to honor Christ without burning out. Find a surprising antidote to modern anxiety: a steady mix of truth, resilient faith, and purposeful work that holds when the headlines shout and your calendar overflows. 

We unpack the confusion that rattled the Thessalonian church—rumors about the day of the Lord, fear, and paralysis—and show how Paul answers with clarity rather than panic. You’ll hear how standing firm and holding fast to Scripture cuts through conspiracy and noise, why endurance in suffering is a sign of God’s work and not failure, and what it looks like to treat your work as an offering. We get practical about balancing holy rest with honest labor, resisting idleness masked as spirituality, and turning everyday tasks into sacred ground where integrity, service, and peace can take root.

By the end, you’ll have a framework for spiritual resilience: focus on Christ when the world distracts, stay rooted in the Word when fear rises, and work diligently from assurance rather than for approval. We also share simple tools to refresh your devotional life and invite you into a warm community for ongoing encouragement and resources. If the world feels unsteady, let truth, purpose, and the peace of Christ steady your steps. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs calm and clarity, and leave a review to help others find the show.

Send us a text

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>

Christian Coaching > PaulaBehrens.com/coaching

Become an Insider > bit.ly/insiderfamily

Community Freebies >>> DevotionDrops.com

Essential Oil Favorites > WhyEssentialOils.com

Printable Bible Study for Women >>> PaulaBehrens.com/members

Christian Resources >>> FaithBuildingClub.com

Get a copy > A New Heaven and New Earth: The Book of Revelation Revisited >>> https://amzn.to/3xRp0DI

Paula Behrens:

Have you ever felt like the world has just gone off balance? Maybe you're working hard to grow your business, managing a home that seems to need attention 24-7, and trying to keep your spiritual footing while everything around you feels a little unstable. You love God, you want your work to honor Him, but between client calls, family commitments, and the constant pressure to do more, your faith can sometimes feel like it's, well, running on fumes. If that sounds familiar, you're in good company, and not just with modern day believers. The first century Christians knew that feeling as well. They were a young, passionate church living in uncertain times, facing persecution and confusion about the future. They loved Jesus deeply, but they were tired, overwhelmed, and even a little shaken by all the noise around them. Sound familiar?

Paula Behrens:

The Apostle Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians is short, only three chapters, but it's power-packed with encouragement, correction, and reminders that God is still in control, even when the world feels unsteady. This letter is like a deep breath for the weary believer, the entrepreneur who's questioning her purpose, the dad who's running his business from the computer screen, and the parents who are wondering if they are doing enough for God. Paul's words remind us that staying faithful isn't about frantic striving, it's about steady trust. So pour yourself a fresh cup of coffee, maybe diffuse a little peppermint or rosemary to wake your mind and take a few slow breaths. Keep listening because I'm going to tell you how you can claim your free printable journal for improving memory and brain function. 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. 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:

Before our coaching call, you'll receive an essential oil sampler to use during our online session to enhance this fun spiritual journey. 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:

Let's start with a little context. The first letter Paul wrote to the Thessalonians was warm and encouraging, a gentle reminder to keep growing in faith and to stay hopeful about Christ's return. But just a few months later, Paul had to write again. Rumors had spread that the day of the Lord had already happened, and some believers were panicking. Others, convinced that Jesus was coming back any minute, stopped working altogether. Imagine that. Some of the early Christians were so sure the world was ending that they quit their jobs and just waited around. Paul loved these people deeply, and his second letter addressed that confusion with compassion and clarity. He wanted them to know that, yes, Jesus is coming again, but no, he hasn't returned yet. And until he does, we're called to keep living faithfully right where we are. That's a message that still hits home today because whether you're building a business, leading a team, or managing your household, it's easy to slip into one of two extremes, striving too hard and burning out, or giving up because you're tired of waiting for God to move. Paul's letter reminds us that God's timeline is perfect, and in the waiting, we have holy work to do.

Paula Behrens:

Chapter 1 of 2 Thessalonians opens with Paul thanking God for the believers' growing faith and love. That's encouraging, right? But he also acknowledges that they're suffering, really suffering for their faith. They were dealing with persecution and opposition, not unlike the challenges many of us face today when we try to live out our beliefs in a culture that often pushes God aside. Paul's words here are deeply comforting. He tells them that their endurance is evidence of God's work in them. It's not a sign of failure, it's a sign of faith. God's justice may not come immediately, but it's coming. And in the meantime, the trials we face become a refining fire that shapes our character and deepens our dependence on Him. If you've ever faced criticism or rejection because of your faith, or if you've experienced setback that made you question whether God was paying attention, this chapter reminds you that he sees every detail. He knows the long nights, the quiet tears, and the prayers you've whispered over your business, your family, or your calling. None of it was wasted. God is using it all to prepare you for greater things.

Paula Behrens:

By chapter two, Paul gets to the heart of the confusion about the false teachings the Thessalonians had heard, that the day of the Lord had already happened. The believers in this new church were very much unsettled. Some were anxious, others were paralyzed with fear, and a few just gave up altogether. Paul steps in like a steady voice of truth. He reminds them that before Christ returns, certain events will take place, the rise of rebellion, the revelation of the "man of lawlessness," and a season of deception. But he doesn't focus on the fear. Instead, he calls them to stay grounded in truth. He points them back to God's promises and reassures them that believers who belong to Christ are secure. This is such an important reminder for us today. In a world full of sensational headlines, conspiracy theories, and endless noise, it's easy to get caught up in fear or distraction. Paul's message cuts through all of that. Focus on Christ. Stay rooted in the Word. Don't let fear drive your decisions. Let faith guide them. And isn't that exactly what we need as Christian entrepreneurs and leaders? The business world can be unpredictable, algorithms change, clients come and go, finances fluctuate, and sometimes you feel like the ground beneath your feet is shifting. But God's truth is steady. When everything else feels uncertain, his promises hold firm.

Paula Behrens:

Paul's words in chapter 2 build to a powerful encouragement. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you (2 Thessalonians 2.15). Stand firm, hold fast. Those aren't passive phrases, they're active calls to spiritual resilience to stay steady when life shakes you. Standing firm doesn't mean pretending everything is fine. It means choosing to believe that God is faithful even when you can't see what he's doing. It's showing up in your work, in your relationships, in your quiet time and saying, Lord, I trust you. It's keeping your business rooted in integrity, even when shortcuts might look tempting. It's serving your clients, customers, or co-workers as though you're serving Jesus Himself. Paul closes this section with a prayer that's just as relevant today as it was then. He writes, May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word, 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, verses 16 through 17. That's the kind of strength we all need, the kind that doesn't come from hustling harder or managing perfectly, but from resting in the steady encouragement of Christ.

Paula Behrens:

By the time we reach chapter 3, Paul is addressing another practical issue, idleness. Some believers, convinced that Jesus' return was imminent, had stopped working altogether. They weren't contributing, they were coasting. Paul doesn't mince words here. He reminds them of the example he set while he was with them, working hard, earning his keep, and serving faithfully. He says, in essence, don't use God's promises as an excuse to check out. Faith isn't a license for laziness, it's a call to diligent, purpose-filled living. Paul tells them plainly, if you're able to work, work. If you're capable of serving, serve, and do it all as unto the Lord. For us today, this hits right at the heart of the tension between hustle culture and holy rest. As Christian entrepreneurs, we don't work for approval, we work for assurance. We don't grind to earn worth, we labor out of gratitude. The difference is huge. When you see your business, your creative work, or your household responsibilities as an offering to God, everything shifts. The mundane becomes meaningful, the stressful becomes sacred, and suddenly you're not just running a business, you're building a ministry.

Paula Behrens:

Paul wraps up his letter with a tone of peace and encouragement, saying, Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way (2 Thessalonians 3.16). What a beautiful promise for those of us navigating busy schedules and uncertain seasons. Peace doesn't come from having everything figured out, it comes from walking daily with the one who does. If there's one big takeaway from a 2 Thessalonians, it's this the world may shake, but your purpose does not. Paul's second letter is a call to endurance, to hold tight to faith, truth, and hard work, even when life feels unstable. It's about keeping your focus on Christ, not the chaos around you. It's about showing up every day in your God-given calling, knowing that your work, your emails, your sales calls, your parenting, your ministry matters to God. And maybe most importantly, it's a reminder that peace isn't the absence of problems, it's the presence of Christ in the middle of them. So if your heart's been weary or your spirit stretched thin, take courage. God hasn't forgotten you, He's shaping you, steadying you, and strengthening you right where you are. So stay faithful, keep showing up, and live ready. Because the same God who encouraged the Thessalonians through Paul's words is encouraging you today to stand firm, work diligently, and trust deeply.

Paula Behrens:

Before we wrap up, I want to invite you to keep this conversation going in a place where faith and friendship meet real life. If today's message spoke to your heart, if you're craving more peace, purpose, and practical encouragement as you live out your faith, I'd love for you to come hang out with us in our private Facebook community, Biblical Encouragement and Devotional Rhythms with Essential Oils. It's a warm, grace-filled space where listeners just like you are learning to keep Christ at the center of their homes, hearts, and even their workspaces. We share devotionals, prayer support, essential oil tips for focus and calm, and monthly resources to help you stay anchored in God's Word while caring for your mind and body. And when you join, you can snag this month's free download, a beautiful devotional journal and seven-day challenge called "Awaken to Aroma, Scent Scripture and Brain Health." It's a powerful way to reconnect your faith, focus, and well-being through God's word and the gift of scent he designed for us to enjoy. So come on over to devotiondrops.com, which will take you right to the group. I can't wait to see you there, to pray with you, laugh with you, and walk this journey of faith-filled living together. Because, friend, you don't have to do it all alone. And God never meant for you to. See you in the group.

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 are 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 with purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.

Head Shot

Paula Behrens

Host