How to Know God’s Will

A common question among Christian is, How can I know God’s will?

Twice in two days someone asked me: How does one know if she’s seeking her own way (her will) or God’s?

Great question. The folks who asked this question had been dealing with difficulties for a long time. Both were frustrated. They were sick and tired of waiting for promised results. They fretted.

Frankly, I couldn’t answer the question definitively. No one but God judges and knows the intentions and motivations of the heart.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, ESV).

Questions to Help Know God’s Will

However, I asked a few questions leading them to seek God’s will in the situation. You can do the same. Think of a decision or dilemma you’re facing. Now ask yourself:

• What is it that you want or hope to gain?
• Are you upset that you haven’t obtained what you hope for?
• What are you planning to do next since you have not received your reward?
• What are you saying in your prayers to God?
• Are you willing to give up or are you talking about giving up because you have not received your anticipated reward?
• What are you living for, to praise God or to get peace?

Insight from Psalm 37

Read Psalm 37:1-7 and pay attention to the verbs: fret, trust, delight, commit, be still, wait.

 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;

be not envious of wrongdoers!

 For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
 Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.

 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

Let God’s word penetrate your heart. Pray and ask Him again: “Lord, what’s your will in this difficulty? Then listen. 

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