Sometimes I wish I could just let everything flow; wake up and go with the day, no plan, no goal, no direction. This will make life so easy. Just vibes. Maybe you’ve felt that too.
But if you’ve ever tried to live without much thought or purpose, you’ve probably realized (like I did) that it just doesn’t work. At least, not if you want to grow, heal, and walk in alignment with God’s purpose for your life.
One of my favorite books, Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill, describes what happens when we try to “just flow” through life without intention: we start drifting.
Drifting: What Happens When You Don’t Live Intentionally
In Outwitting the Devil, Napoleon Hill defines drifting as the habit of going through life without a definite purpose, letting circumstances, other people, and fears steer the wheel. It’s what happens when we avoid making conscious choices and surrender our lives to autopilot. The cost of drifting is often subtle but devastating.
Drifting leads to:
- Disconnection from God’s purpose
- Wasted time and energy
- Shallow living—full of activity but lacking depth
- Increased anxiety and inner emptiness
Psychologically, this mirrors what’s known as learned helplessness, a state where a person feels like their efforts don’t matter, so they stop trying altogether. It develops over time when repeated setbacks or failures lead someone to believe that change is impossible.
Some of the symptoms of learned helplessness include:
- Avoiding decisions
- Quitting quickly when faced with challenges
- An inability to tolerate frustration
- A passive or withdrawn attitude
- Poor motivation and lack of effort
- Procrastination and chronic delays
- Low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness
- Refusing to try, even when opportunities exist
This internal state often shows up in people who are drifting. Rather than taking ownership of their time, mindset, and choices, they give in to hopelessness and spiritual fatigue.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). That means we are called to live awake and intentional, even when it feels easier to numb out or give up. When we partner with God in truth, He empowers us to break free from helpless patterns and step into purpose-driven living.
What Does It Mean to Live Intentionally?
Intentional living means making daily choices that align with God’s will and truth for your life. It’s not passive—it’s prayerful, purposeful, and deeply personal.
Here’s what it looks like in practice:
- Seek God’s will first in every area of your life—not just in emergencies or big decisions, but in your daily routines, diet, dressing, finances, daily purpose, relationships, work, and rest.
- Ask Him to heal the places in your heart that have been wounded by failure, pain, and disappointment.
- Asking God to show you His truth over every area of your life—your identity, calling, finances, relationships, health, and future. He does speak, in a still, small voice, in dreams, visions, through His word, and through other people. Always wait for His response.
- Letting His truth guide your decisions, not your feelings, fears, or past experiences. Always abide in His truth and trust Him completely.
The Five Areas of Your Life That Require Intention
In a powerful podcast episode, Taylor Welch outlines five areas of life we must steward well if we want to be truly wealthy:
- Spiritual Wealth—your connection with God and your sense of purpose
- Health Wealth—your physical, emotional, and mental well-being
- Relationship Wealth—the depth and quality of your connections with others
- Time Wealth—the freedom to use your time meaningfully
- Resource Wealth—your money, tools, and opportunities
If you don’t apply intention in these areas, you will drift. And drifting doesn’t just happen in your twenties or during crisis seasons. It sneaks in subtly—when you stop praying, stop planning, stop evaluating, and stop seeking God’s truth about your next steps.
But when you become intentional in these areas, you experience transformation. That’s why I define intention as the pursuit of truth. And not just any truth—God’s truth.
What Does the Bible Say About Intentional Living?
The Bible is rich with guidance on living purposefully. Here are just a few scriptures that highlight intentionality:
- “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15–16
→ This is a clear call to live with awareness and wisdom, not carelessness. - “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
→ Intention must be anchored in surrender. We plan, but we let God lead. - “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” – Proverbs 29:18
→ Vision—another word for God-inspired intention—gives life its shape and direction.
Jesus Himself lived the most intentional life of all. He didn’t rush, didn’t react emotionally to every situation, and never drifted from His purpose. He frequently withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16), always obeyed the Father’s timing (John 7:6), and never allowed the pressure of people to distract Him from His mission.
How Do I Live an Intentional Life?
This is a journey we’ll explore together through upcoming blog posts and resources. But here’s a starting point:
- Evaluate each area of your life.
Ask: Am I drifting here? Am I applying God’s truth? - Ask God for vision and strategy.
Pray: Lord, show me Your will in my health, finances, relationships, and calling. - Start small but stay consistent.
Intention is built into your habits. Create rhythms that reflect your values—prayer, journaling, movement, meaningful conversations, financial stewardship, and rest. - Use an intentional living journal.
Document your thoughts, track your progress, and record the lessons God teaches you. This helps you stay anchored and aware.
The Benefits of Intentional Living
- You experience greater peace and clarity.
- You stop chasing what doesn’t matter.
- You grow in your relationship with God.
- You make better decisions—rooted in faith, not fear.
- You break free from the autopilot life and start creating a meaningful one.
Final Thoughts: You Were Never Meant to Drift
God didn’t create you to drift. He created you to thrive on purpose. Even when life feels uncertain or chaotic, you can return to center—back to His truth, His promises, and His guidance.
This post is just the beginning. In upcoming articles, we’ll explore how to apply intentional living to your wellness, your mindset, your finances, your relationships, and your calling. For now, take this one step:
Invite God into the areas you’ve been drifting.
He’s not here to condemn you, but to align you with His best.
Let’s Journal Together
Here are some reflection prompts for your journal:
Answer each area prayerfully. Create a worship atmosphere by playing instrumental worship music. Ask God these questions, and write down the answers. Test the answers to see if they align with Scripture and God’s truth.
When God speaks to you, trust Him and obey Him.
- What area of my life am I drifting in right now?
- How can I break this drifting habit?
- What is your truth concerning this area?
