Finding God’s Will in the Midst of Life’s Choices

How many times have you found yourself asking, “What is God’s will?” And how many times have you uttered that question as you find yourself totally frozen in fear of making a mistake? At one time or another we have all found ourselves brain-numb, with no clue as to the “right” decision. We just want God‘s best for our lives. And we don’t want to screw it up!

So often the stronger our desire to please God, the greater this fear becomes. 

Analysis Paralysis

We find ourselves refusing to take a step until we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, the direction we are headed is exactly the plan God has laid out for us. We find ourselves. Feet cemented to the ground. Refusing to move. And in essence, ceasing to live.

In her book, The Best Yes: Making wise decisions in the midst of endless demands, Lysa TerKeurst refers to this as “analysis paralysis.” I am currently loving my way through this book. I highly recommend you get it for yourself and all the beautiful women in your life! Chapter 7 is the inspiration behind today’s post.

Lysa’s words about her struggle with the “what if‘s” of early adulthood so exactly mirrored my own thoughts from that time, I can’t help but wonder if 15 years ago she had my dorm room bugged. “What if I picked the wrong college? And then picked the wrong town to move to after college? And then picked the wrong job that put me in the wrong circle of friends? And then I’d never met the husband I was supposed to marry. And then I’d never have the kids I was supposed to have. And then and then and…”

I lived my life this way for the better part of a decade. So much stress and anxiety constantly tormenting me. The undiagnosed, though nonetheless real, ulcers burning in the pit of my stomach. The familiar weight of an invisible anvil sitting on my chest making the simple act of breathing feel like a colossal chore. For so many years I lived in this state of constant exhaustion, paralyzing fear, and overwhelming dread.

What is God’s will? How do I know God’s will? What if I miss God’s will?

I Found It!

But then, one day I found it! I found God’s will, and I am going to share it with you! Are you ready?

Never again will you be able to say, “I just don’t know God’s will.” And guess where we’re going to find it? You’ll never believe it…the Bible! No joke. It’s been sitting there in plain sight for a couple thousand years.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NIV (emphasis mine)

Did you catch that? God’s will! Right there! I remember when I found it. It was sometime in my mid-twenties, post-marriage and pre-babies. Right about the time the Lord was really impressing on my heart that full-time ministry was where He wanted me to be.

I was between careers and had a lot of options and loads more questions. Sitting at my kitchen table with my coffee and my Bible. The glow of the sunrise pouring through the bay window practically illuminated this passage. No doubt I had read it many times before, but these words “this is God’s will for you” jumped off the page. I thought, oh my goodness. You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s been here all along!

I remember thinking how much trouble, stress and worry I could’ve been spared had I so clearly seen those words before. However, God’s providence has a way of revealing things to us and bringing them to our attention exactly when we need them most.

I vowed then and there to share this scripture with everyone I could. Especially my own children, from a very early age, so they will never have to say, “I don’t know God’s will.”

When Options Abound

In life we will often have questions about which decision to make. Which option is best. Which choice is the most pleasing to the Lord. (More to come on these dilemmas soon.) But from this day forward never again can you say, “I don’t know God‘s will.”

Should you find yourself in the throes of life’s abundant decisions, sinking in the quicksand of too many options and not enough clarity, remember this. You do know God’s will. Go back to basics. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances. When you don’t know which way to turn, praise God you know where to run. And go there with all your heart!

So write 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 on notecards, and put them all around your house. Call your friends. Tell your children. You have found God’s will!

I will close out this post with a link to a video I did about a year ago. Rest assured, my friends God’s will is not like the elusive golden Easter egg.

Don’t Miss a Post in This Series

Next week I will continue with this theme of finding God’s will. This will be a multiple part series. Upcoming posts will look at: What if all my options look right? What if I still can’t decide? And what if I already made the wrong choice?

Be sure you don’t miss a single one. Have each post delivered right to your inbox as soon as it is published by filling out the form below. Would love to have you join me and this growing community of women discovering practical ways to apply the power of God‘s Word to our everyday stuff! Happy Easter, friends!