God's Will For You

“What does God want me to do?” It’s one of the most common questions I’m asked in counseling. I can’t always give specific answers. I can give Biblical principles to help with decisions, and often, there are simple Bible answers. But most of the time, making good decisions flow from an understanding of God’s values, goals, and wisdom.But there is a statement from an obscure Old Testament prophet that can guide us through almost every decision.“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you: but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

• Do the right thing. That’s the meaning of “do justice.” When I ask the question, “What is the right thing to do?”, almost always, the counselee knows what that is. So start there. Do what’s right. No matter how you think things will turn out.
• Be nice. The word for kindness is a Hebrew word, translated, “mercy,” and it means to be nice to people who don’t deserve it. Sometimes you might have to have a tough conversation, but you can still be nice. Don’t be nice to people because they are nice to you. Be nice to everybody, no matter what. You’d be surprised how that might change a lot of things in your life.
• Be humble. No matter how much you have accomplished, how smart you are, how rich, or talented, everything you have has been given to you. Even if you work hard, your capacity to work, both physically and mentally, is a gift from God. None of us have reason to be proud. Knock off the know-it-all, cocky attitude and admit that everything good in your life comes from God. After all, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5 & James 4:6).
• Walk with God. That’s what you were created for. He made you to know and enjoy him, so that he might enjoy you. Does he? Do you walk with him? Do you give him time? Do you obey him? Do you consciously think through, “What would be pleasing to Jesus?” Are you walking through life with God?

So I can’t tell you who God wants you to marry, or should you take that transfer, or should you have that conversation with your mother-in-law. But if you do what you know is the right thing in everything else, if you are nice no matter what, if you approach people with a humble attitude, and you are walking with God, you’ll make a good decision. Better yet, your life will be what it was designed to be: one that brings honor and pleasure to our Creator.That’s God’s will for you.