In our group, we’ve been discussing beliefs and core values. These conversations have stretched us, challenged us, and invited us to look honestly at where we are living from. Because everything in our lives, our decisions, our reactions, our relationships, our opportunities, flows from what we believe and what we value at the core.
The real question we’ve been wrestling with is this: Are our beliefs in alignment with God, or are they shaped by old narratives, fear, or the world’s expectations? Because when storms come, and they always do, what we truly believe becomes evident.
This blog is an invitation to reflect, question, grow, and realign our life with the values and beliefs that lead to true freedom and purpose.
What Are Our Core Beliefs and Values?
Core values are the inner compass that directs how we think, act, choose, and show up in the world. They are the unseen foundations beneath our lives.
The question is: Do we know what ours are?
Many of us say we believe in God. However, do we believe He is who He says He is?
Do we believe He can do what He says He can do? Are we living in alignment with Him? Are we walking in obedience and doing His will — not just our own?
When our beliefs are aligned with God, storms may shake us, but they will not uproot us. We can stand firm knowing, “This too shall pass.” But when our beliefs are shaped by fear, old stories, or pain, we find ourselves asking questions like: “How could a good God allow this?”
The truth is, we often blame God for things He did not cause.
We forget that He gave us authority over our thoughts and emotions.
God does not control our thoughts — we do.
And what we believe shapes how we feel, how we respond, and how we move through life.
Do We Understand Our Own Emotions?
How many times do we answer “Good,” “Fine,” or “Okay” when asked how we’re feeling?
Good is not a feeling. Fine is not a feeling. Emotional maturity requires us to pause long enough to say: What am I truly feeling, and why? This honesty is a form of kindness to ourselves. It is impossible to grow to spiritual maturity while ignoring our emotional reality. Because how we treat ourselves internally eventually spills out onto others.
Many times when I ask my daughter “how are you feeling?” She says, “I am happy,” then she goes on to say her brother is angry or mad. Both of them does that, they each tell me their feeling and what the other is feeling, because they know I am going to ask. They have an understanding of how to communicate their feelings, we are still working on specific language.
Are We Being Kind to Ourselves First?
Kindness is one of our group’s core values, and one of the highest values modeled by Jesus Himself. But kindness isn’t just giving things away or doing good deeds. The greatest act of kindness is using the gifts God gave us. Teaching, preaching, administration, organization, these are not just skills; they are deposits of God’s seeds within us. Not using them is a form of unkindness toward our own purpose. Many of us get stuck believing life is only about working hard to earn money, pay bills, and survive.
But Jesus said: “Do not worry about what you will eat or wear.” Matthew 6:25-34
He said this because He is our source, not the job. When we chase the world’s expectations, we miss God’s invitations. When we seek the Kingdom first and grow, opportunities appear effortlessly. But when we chase our own plans, Scripture says we are “dragged away by our own desires.” James 1 14-15.
Ignoring our gifts, ignoring His voice, and ignoring our purpose is unkind to ourselves, and it limits who we become.
In the summer time my daugther and I usually tend a small garden outside. She loves to play in the dirt and is not afraid of worms or insects. My son on the other hand would stay in the house and read or play video game. They have their own tendencies. I allow them to do what they love, because that way they learn to be kind to themselves. Do we observe our children to see what their tendencies are or do we force things on them?
Have We Received God’s Forgiveness?
Forgiveness is another of our core values — and perhaps one of the hardest to learn. Many of us know we are forgiven, but we have not received it in our hearts. Unforgiveness becomes a spiritual chain. It blocks clarity. It clouds opportunities. It keeps us stuck repeating the same cycles, bypassing the lessons that God uses to grow us. When we forgive, we are not excusing behavior. We are freeing ourselves. We are opening our eyes to what God has been trying to give us all along.
A woman in our group recently realized her hardships were tied to unforgiveness. As soon as she acknowledged it, clarity came. Forgiveness is not only a command, but it is a pathway to internal freedom, emotional maturity, and spiritual growth. This doesn’t mean we are forgiven forever; we will make mistakes again. We can go boldly to God asking Him to forgive us. This is why being a believer is a daily walk.
Are We Living As Jesus Modeled?
Jesus modeled the five core values: Kindness, forgiveness, compassion, family (community), and growth.
Even on the cross, He showed kindness by giving us salvation: “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
He showed forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” Luke 23:34.
He showed compassion by feeling what we feel and helping us.
He lived in community, choosing disciples and teaching them.
And His ministry grew.
But many Christians stop growing. We claim we are “content,” but we really are afraid. Afraid to try something new. Afraid to step out. Afraid to lead. Afraid to change. Yet growth is not optional. It is a command: “Make disciples.” We cannot disciple anyone if we ourselves refuse to grow.
How Do Our Beliefs Affect the Opportunities We Choose?
Opportunities have been coming to many of us lately. But the deeper question is: Which ones are for us?
Not every open door is a God-door. Some doors are distractions — shiny, convenient, impressive, but misaligned. When we know our values, decisions become clearer. We stop choosing based on money and start choosing based on alignment. The ideal job or opportunity is one where our personal core values align with our work core values. Jesus had an assignment: teaching, healing, proclaiming the Kingdom, and He was always aligned with His purpose. He moved in freedom, was flexible, and lived out his faith. We are called to the same. However, it is a journey, and we are at different levels.
What Does Freedom Look Like for You?
Scripture says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
But freedom looks different for each of us. For some, freedom is speaking openly about our faith.
For others, it’s flexibility in schedule. For others, it’s expressing creativity, wearing what we want, or building something of our own.
I learned this when I was a child in Jamaica. We wore uniforms, and I hated the restrictions. For a graduation event, I designed a beautiful red and white dress, that my aunt made. But at the last moment, the school decided that we should wear uniforms again. I wore my dress anyway, I was the only one not in uniform.
That longing for expression followed me into adulthood. However, if I had to choose to express my faith freely and wear uniforms versus no uniforms but unable to speak freely, I would choose wearing the uniform and expressing my faith. That is how important faith is in my decision.
Your version of freedom is connected to your values. And when you live out those values, life feels lighter, not because circumstances are easy, but because you are aligned with who God created you to be.
Are We Making Choices Based on Fear or Love?
This is the heart question. Fear keeps us small. Love pulls us forward.
Many of us were raised in systems that taught us to chase degrees, jobs, money, status, and work until age 65. But that system is not the same as the purpose. Purpose is not something we wait until retirement to do.
Purpose is now.
Freedom begins within. It begins with identifying what is holding us back, whether unforgiveness, people-pleasing, fear, or old beliefs. God grows us internally so we can step into the opportunities already waiting for us, the good works that he prepared for us from the foundations of the world. When we align our values with God’s values — kindness, forgiveness, compassion, love, growth, patience, gentleness, self-control — we begin to see clearly, we see the big picture. Storms don’t shake us. Opportunities don’t confuse us. Work doesn’t drain us. And life stops feeling like striving; it becomes a journey of grace.
Now you…
What Do You Value?
Take time this week to ask yourself:
What are my true core values?
Are my beliefs aligned with God or with fear?
Am I being kind to myself?
Am I growing, forgiving, and showing compassion?
Am I choosing opportunities that reflect who I am in Christ?
Write them down. Pray over them.
Affirm them daily.
Ask God to realign your life with His will.
Because when our beliefs and values align with heaven,
our lives begin to reflect heaven, this first begins in the mind before it is manifested — ‘on earth, as it is in heaven.”
We were created for freedom, purpose, and growth. Begin your journey today!
If you would like more information or coaching in this area, send us an email at [email protected]
With grace and growth,
Sanchia and team.
Audio Version
Please listen to our podcast Be Still And Grow, Episode 6: Living From the Inside Out
Video Version
Please watch our full length of Be Still And Grow. Living From the Inside Out