What is the ‘will of God’ and why is life so hard if His will is good for us?

I ask because I have had a rough few days and I know I am not the only one who has had days like these. Too many Christians waiver in their faith and lose hope because they are not sure what God’s will is. They go through a troubled time and wonder where God is, or why He would allow such things to happen.

But I have learned that in all situations, God is good and His will perfect. So like Paul I am learning to be content in all things.  How have I reached a place where trouble doesn’t bother me for long?  Knowing the will of God.

God has a particular will or plan for each of us, but we will never understand the particulars if we can not see His general will that is given to us in the Bible. So here is a list of verses that define the will of God for all those who follow Jesus.

1) Think differently.  Do not think of yourself first, or how the world is affecting you, but meditate on the promises and blessings of God. Then you will begin to understand the Will of God.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  – Romans 12:2

2) In renewing your mind to think first of God and His ways, consider that His first and greatest will or plan for you is your redemption (salvation).

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. – John 6:40

3) When your mind is changed, and you recognize His salvation work for you, thank Him and pray for His will to be done, this also is His will for you.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

4) Then once your thoughts are on things above, your life has been redeemed, and your attitude is one of gratefulness and prayer, Remember that you have been called out of this world, you are called to be an ambassador of His grace, proclaiming the light to all you know that still live in darkness.

Keep yourself from obeying the desires of your flesh, be honorable and have integrity so that if you are accused of evil by those who live in darkness, they will be forced to see that you walk in light and truth.

Then subject yourself to every authority, not because you are bound by them as those of this world but because God has called us to respect and honor what He has established in this world, so that your good work among them will silence ignorant and foolish people among that that would accuse you of evil.

Remember that when the days are evil, when you are pressed in from all sides and you feel like God is absent – YOU ARE FREE, the chains of this world no longer bind you, so use your freedom to serve God and love the people He is sending you to testify to.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

– I Peter 2:9-17

 

Beloved of God, this is How I am picked back up by God when trouble finds me, and I pray this lesson on the will of God will also strengthen your faith as your commitment to Him is tried.

In His Service,

Pastor Rob