What Is God's Will?

Friends this is a question that we should be asking ourselves hourly, because this keeps our focus on God all day long!

Do you know what God's will is for your life? Let's take our spouses and family members out of this equation for a moment and just focus on God's will for our own lives.

How often we are telling God what He needs to do with our spouses, kids, coworkers, or family members in order to "straighten them out" and yet we're unwilling to listen to what God is asking US to do? Sound familiar? How convicting this sentence is...right?!

Too often our prayers to God are what we want God to do in our lives, instead of us listening to what God wants. At times we are even bold enough to tell God what outcome we'd like to have because if he would just change our loved ones or our situations then our lives will be easier and who doesn't want an easier life? Friends, God is not interested in giving us an easy life, God is interested in our obedience and our relationship with Him, remember God's will is not our will.

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Do you hear God speaking to you? What is God asking you to trust Him with? What is God asking to you to be patient with? Sometimes we need to change our dialog with God, instead of asking God to do our will, we need to ask what His will is and follow where He leads us.

Isaiah 6:8 NIV

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

If you are unsure of what God is saying to you, I highly recommend reading "Hearing God's Voice" by Henry & Richard Blackaby it is an exceptional book! You'll gain great insight on how to pray and listen to God's voice.

This book "Hearing God's Voice" reminds us that "one of the greatest reasons we don't hear from God is our lack of faith" and "if you don't believe that God speaks to people today, it is doubtful you will hear him." This book also reminds us that "we need to go to Scriptures often; because they are amazingly candid and specific."

Psalm 145:18-19 NIV

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them."

Today our challenge is to change the way we pray, let's begin our prayer with thanking God for all He is doing in our lives and then ask him what His will is for us today. Remember Matthew 6:34 NIV "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Make sure to wait patiently for His answer and remember it may not come immediately. Trust God's timing in all circumstances and you will begin to recognize His voice when He speaks to you.

Isaiah 30:21 NIV

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime