Difficulties in God’s Will…

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

How do we know we are in God’s will? Sometimes we think if we are in God’s will that we will find a place without trials and suffering, a place of peace, rest, and contentment. When things get difficult, we may question if perhaps we misunderstood God’s will. But I do not see God’s will depicted as such in the Bible. Do you?  Seriously it seems quite the opposite.

1.    God’s will for Abraham was to leave his home – his place of comfort and familiarity to go to a place God would tell him. “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:1-2 Clearly, Abraham was obeying the will of God. Fast forward many years, “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’” Genesis 22:1-2 This certainly would be a time of great trial in any father’s heart, yet Abraham was in God’s will.

2.    Consider Moses: it was God’s will for him to stand before Pharaoh and to meet resistance again and again.  “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:10; But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Exodus 7:3 Resistance tends to make us question the will of God.  Moses met resistance over and over again.  In fact, there were far more against him than with him, yet Moses was in God’s will.

3.    Hosea – “the LORD said to Hosea, ‘Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.’” Hosea 1:2. God’s will for Hosea was for him to marry a woman who would be unfaithful to him and to raise children that were not his own.  Hosea was in a marriage that no one would volunteer for yet he was in God’s will.

4.     The best example I can offer is Jesus Christ Himself.  Jesus walked every moment in the Father’s will yet He faced confrontation and testing (by the Pharisees and Sadducees), rejection, betrayal, torture, and ultimately crucifixion. (see the Gospels)

God’s will in our life is not just about us.  God’s will for our life is also about others around us whom we may not even know.  God’s will may be difficult yet His grace, His peace, His comfort, His love, His power, His strength are all ours in the process.

What are you facing for which you are seeking to discern God’s will?  Are you in a marriage that falls short of your expectations? Are you at a job that is a challenge with unbelievers that mock you for your faith?  Are you in a church that is less than perfect?

Maybe you believe you are in God’s will but are facing hurdles or opposition.  Hurdles, opposition, trials, difficulty, and resistance are NOT sure indicators that you are NOT in God’s will.  Press in and press on, sister.

You are blessed today.

Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!