Power for Living

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Power for Living Part 11 - I wish I Knew God's Will

by Gail Rodgers
We were contemplating a move! A new city, new schools, new friends and new jobs. Change screamed at us from all aspects of this choice. Some of the changes we could embrace heartily and with anticipation. Other changes would be more difficult.

Being God’s children we knew He had a plan for our lives. Did it include this move, this change? We were having a hard time figuring that out. Was this an opportunity from the hand of God? If it was, then we did not want to miss what He had in store for us. Could we know His will for our lives for sure?
As I prayed and pleaded with God to reveal His will… I read something in the Bible.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As I pondered these verses I saw that if I know nothing else of God’s will, I do know these three things. I was to be joyful, prayful, and thankful! I realized that the perplexity of my wondering had all but stopped these things in my life. I hadn’t been joyful, I had been fearful and anxious. I prayed but, as God seemed silent on the matter, my prayers were dwindling. And thankful! The attitude of gratitude had been hard to maintain as I worried about making the right choice.
I had a decision to make. I could continue to stew about what God’s will was…or I could embrace what I already knew was His will straight from His Word.
I made a conscious effort to ask the Holy Spirit to help me to be joyful and thankful because I knew these were not my natural byproducts in this situation of uncertainty. I asked God to help me pray in faith, believing He would guide us through each and every decision.
Over time the path before us straightened out and the way became clear. God showed me that He was more interested in my internal state than in my external location. Once I got His perspective, peace settled into my soul. He opened and closed the right doors for our family.
If you are asking God to show you His will today… start here! Sometimes the most important change in life is change in us! Ask His Holy Spirit for help! He will direct your way!