Editor's Note: Over the past six years I've written a number of posts on seeking God's will for your life (God's Will, God's Will Versus My Will). Finding God’s Will is not about programs or methods; it is about a person. Asking the question, "what does God want me to do", is the starting point to finding His Will for your life.
Matthew 6:33 (NLT2) 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Portions of this post were excerpted from "Three Mistakes to Avoid When Seeking God's Will" from Daily Hope by Rick Warren.
I would always ask how can I know God's will for me whenever I needed to make an important decision that could affect my life and the lives of my wife and children. It may have been a decision to change jobs, or to relocate, or to buy a home, or some other major purchase. I wanted to make the right decision and I knew that if that decision was in the will of God for me it would turn out for good but if that decision was not in the will of God it could mean disaster and some of them were.
Christians sometimes find it difficult to determine God's will for their lives in certain situations. It can be very confusing and frustrating when you can't find clear direction especially when we haven't gotten an answer.
Right now it may look dark, you may feel defeated, and God’s will may seem like a mystery to you. But one day you’re going to see in the light of eternity how it all fits together in God’s plan. Until then, here are three steps you can take as you seek God’s will that will help you trust in him more.
Matthew 6:33 (NLT2) 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Portions of this post were excerpted from "Three Mistakes to Avoid When Seeking God's Will" from Daily Hope by Rick Warren.
I would always ask how can I know God's will for me whenever I needed to make an important decision that could affect my life and the lives of my wife and children. It may have been a decision to change jobs, or to relocate, or to buy a home, or some other major purchase. I wanted to make the right decision and I knew that if that decision was in the will of God for me it would turn out for good but if that decision was not in the will of God it could mean disaster and some of them were.
Christians sometimes find it difficult to determine God's will for their lives in certain situations. It can be very confusing and frustrating when you can't find clear direction especially when we haven't gotten an answer.
Right now it may look dark, you may feel defeated, and God’s will may seem like a mystery to you. But one day you’re going to see in the light of eternity how it all fits together in God’s plan. Until then, here are three steps you can take as you seek God’s will that will help you trust in him more.
Three Mistakes to Avoid When Seeking God’s Will
1. Don’t be fatalistic. The idea of fatalism—that everything that happens is God’s will—leads to self-pity. It causes us to blame God for everything bad in our lives rather than accepting responsibility when we caused the problem. And, fatalism leads to passivity. It makes us think we’re waiting on God to bring us a spouse or get us a job. God’s saying, “I gave you a brain! I gave you two feet! Get out and do something about it!”
2. Don’t be frustrated. If you try to figure out everything in your life, you’re going to be very frustrated. Sometimes you’re going to do what you think is God’s will, and it’s going to fail.
What do you do when there are no answers? You keep trusting God, knowing that he’s working on your character through all of your circumstances and that he has good plans for you.
3. Don’t be fearful. The root problem of fear is doubting God’s love.
1 John 4:18 (NLT2) 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
We always get into trouble when we doubt God’s love, because when we don’t trust him, we don’t obey him.
Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT2) 23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
God’s will is an expression of his love. When you don’t understand what God is doing, have patience. God knows what’s best for you. You can’t see the end result yet, but he can. God’s path may be a path of pain, but all those delays, difficulties, and problems are building character in your life.
You may not know where God’s taking you. You may not know what happens next. You may question whether or not you’ll be safe. But you can count on God.
Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT2) 7 “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
Your Heavenly Father is right beside you. You may not know a lot of things, but if you know Him, that changes everything.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT2) 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT2) 10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
1. Don’t be fatalistic. The idea of fatalism—that everything that happens is God’s will—leads to self-pity. It causes us to blame God for everything bad in our lives rather than accepting responsibility when we caused the problem. And, fatalism leads to passivity. It makes us think we’re waiting on God to bring us a spouse or get us a job. God’s saying, “I gave you a brain! I gave you two feet! Get out and do something about it!”
2. Don’t be frustrated. If you try to figure out everything in your life, you’re going to be very frustrated. Sometimes you’re going to do what you think is God’s will, and it’s going to fail.
What do you do when there are no answers? You keep trusting God, knowing that he’s working on your character through all of your circumstances and that he has good plans for you.
3. Don’t be fearful. The root problem of fear is doubting God’s love.
1 John 4:18 (NLT2) 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
We always get into trouble when we doubt God’s love, because when we don’t trust him, we don’t obey him.
Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT2) 23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
God’s will is an expression of his love. When you don’t understand what God is doing, have patience. God knows what’s best for you. You can’t see the end result yet, but he can. God’s path may be a path of pain, but all those delays, difficulties, and problems are building character in your life.
You may not know where God’s taking you. You may not know what happens next. You may question whether or not you’ll be safe. But you can count on God.
Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT2) 7 “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
Your Heavenly Father is right beside you. You may not know a lot of things, but if you know Him, that changes everything.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT2) 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT2) 10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
RSS Feed