What does it mean to follow in God’s Will? We often hear people say, “If God will this or God-willing”. Why should we follow in God’s Will? What if His plans are completely different than our plans? Do we trust God? Let’s dive in and see what the Bible says!
When someone makes a decision, we can say it is their will. God has this same approach but His decisions are not just based on the present, He sees everything and does what is best. Why? Because He loves us and desires only what is good. Sometimes God works according to what we want. Sometimes, He does not. How do we handle this?
In our life, it is okay to make plans on what you want to accomplish. This can include getting married, buying a house, having children, going to college, etc. However, as we all know, life sometimes, does not go according to our plan. We have our plan, but God has His plan too. God’s plans are good and not evil.
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” If we follow God completely, we can be assured that God has a purpose for everything. God can use the good and the bad events in our life for His glory. A bad event can be a blessing in disguise.
So what do we do if a request was not God’s will? We can feel disappointed, sad, angry, etc. but we cannot let those emotions control us. We must continue to serve and love the Lord. This is done by spending much time with the Lord. It is only in the Lord that we can find the strength to follow His ways over our own. If we are not diligent in making time for the Lord, we can grow a resentment towards Him.
I know accepting bad news is not easy, but God has a purpose for the good and bad in our life. We cannot let a “no” answer, stop us from following Jesus. Instead, we are called to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). If we draw close to God, He will see us through any situation because He promised He would never leave us.
So the next time we receive a “no” answer from the Lord, let us turn it into praise and glorify God through the circumstance. Remember, it is through our praise and submission to Him that He gets the glory. God loves you and has the best interests for you. What may seem disappointing now can turn into something wonderful. Trust God today, He will never let you down.
Thought for the week: Have you had events where God’s Will was different than yours? How did everything work out in the end? What area are you currently seeking God’s Will in and how will you handle it?