Have you ever felt stuck trying to determine what God wants for your life? You are not alone. Most of us fear making a wrong turn, but sometimes, we make it more complicated than it should be. While it’s good to know God’s will, the way we think about it isn’t always right.
Over the years, some very confusing ideas regarding God’s will have become common in our churches. These ideas often come from well-meaning people but make us more anxious than anything else. Let’s examine some of these misunderstandings so we may see God’s work in our lives more clearly and find peace in following Him.
If Something Feels Right, It Must Be God’s Will
Ever had that feeling where everything just feels perfect, so it must be God’s plan? We often think our good feelings are God’s green light. But remember what the Bible says – our hearts can be tricky!
While God can speak through our feelings, He mainly guides us through His Word, wise friends, and prayer. Just look at Moses – he definitely didn’t feel like leading the Israelites, but that was God’s plan all along.
Missing God’s Will is Irreversible
Some of us think God’s plan is made of glass; one wrong move, and it shatters forever. But that’s not how God works! Just think about how Peter denied Jesus three times but still became a church leader. David made huge mistakes but was still called a man after God’s heart.
God is more like a GPS that can reroute you when you take a wrong turn, not a teacher who fails you for one wrong answer.
Success Always Indicates God’s Blessing And Will
You know the idea that all successful people must be super blessed by God? It’s pretty common these days, especially with all those “living my best life” posts on social media. But flip through your Bible, and you’ll see something different.
Job was God’s faithful servant, but he lost everything. Paul wrote letters from prison. Even Jesus lived simply and died on the cross. Sometimes, following God’s plan means going through tough times. Real success in God’s eyes isn’t about your bank account or Instagram followers – it’s about growing closer to Him and becoming more like Jesus.
God’s Will is Always Obvious and Unavoidable
God doesn’t usually write His plans in the sky or force us to follow them. Think about Moses – he had to choose to go back to Egypt, and Mary had to say yes to being Jesus’s mom. God wants us to choose to follow Him, not be robots following commands. He works with us, not just through us.
God’s Will is Primarily About Personal Happiness
Most of the time, we see God as a happiness vending machine – just put in a prayer and out comes everything you want. Well, it’s not that simple. Sure, God loves seeing us happy, but He cares more about our growth. Remember Jesus in Gethsemane? He chose God’s hard path over an easy one.
Sometimes God’s plan is like when your mom used to say, “No candy before dinner” – it might not have made you happy at that moment, but it’s what was best for you in the long run. Real joy usually finds us when we stop chasing happiness and start living for something bigger.
If It’s God’s Will, Everything Will Work Out Perfectly
Ever heard someone say, “If it’s meant to be, it’ll be easy”? That’s not how it works! Look at Joseph – God had big plans for him, but he still ended up in prison first. The early Christians faced lions and persecution, but they were exactly where God wanted them.
Sometimes God’s plan includes bumps in the road that help us grow stronger. It’s like training for a race – the hard parts make you better.
God’s Will is Always in Line with My Desires
“If I want it, it must be God’s will, right?” Not exactly. Sometimes, what we want and what God wants are different. For example, when Peter told Jesus he shouldn’t go to the cross, Peter wanted to protect his friend, but that wasn’t God’s plan.
Following God sometimes means letting go of our own ideas and trusting His bigger picture.
God’s Will Will Never Be Unclear
Sometimes, we expect God’s will to be like a GPS with clear turn-by-turn directions. But even great people in the Bible had confusing times. David spent years running from Saul, probably wondering what was going on. God can let things be unclear to help us trust Him more. It’s like learning to ride a bike – at some point, the training wheels have to come off.
If I Make the “Wrong” Choice, God Will Be Disappointed or Angry
God is not as judgemental as most of us are. That’s not the God of the Bible! He’s more like a loving parent who helps their kid learn to walk – there might be stumbles, but He’s there to help us up. Your mistakes don’t make God love you less; they’re opportunities to experience His grace.
I Need to Be 100% Sure of God’s Will Before Taking Action
Some of us wait for complete certainty before we move. But look at Abraham – he packed up and left home without knowing where he was going. Walking with God is more about trust than certainty. It’s like stepping onto a bridge – you don’t need to see the other side to know it’ll hold you up.
God Will Provide a Clear Sign For Every Decision
Wouldn’t it be nice if God sent a text every time we needed to make a choice? But that’s not usually how He works. Sure, sometimes God gives clear signs, but most times, He expects us to use the wisdom He’s given us. It’s like driving – you don’t need a special sign from God to know whether to stop at a red light!
God Will Reveal His Will Only When I Am Perfectly Ready
If we waited until we were perfect to follow God’s will, we’d never start! Moses stuttered, David was the youngest brother, and the disciples were just regular guys. God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. He’s like a good teacher who doesn’t wait for you to know everything before starting class.
Walking Confidently in God’s Will
Here’s the thing, following God’s will is not about getting everything right and not messing up. It’s about growing daily in your relationship with God – trusting Him even when things aren’t clear, and learning from both your victories and your failures. God cares more about who you are becoming than about you always making the right decisions. Just like a road trip with a close friend – the journey together is just as important as the destination.
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