Partners
In Hope

Knowing What God’s Will Is Not

Sunday December 8, 2024
 

I don't always know what God's will is for me, but I always know what it's not.

Getting to know God's will is the journey of a lifetime.  For many people the problem of living in sobriety is not so much “quitting” an addictive habit as it is of maintaining a new way of life – living in God’s will rather than self-will.


It is God’s will that we get to know Him and develop a meaningful relationship with Him.  Everything else comes after that.  We know that acting in ways that nurture our addiction will take us away from God rather than towards Him, so we need to make a plan that enables us to stay close to God in every situation.

For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death physically but made alive spiritually.   But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! (1 Peter 3:18, Romans 5:8 GNT) 

Repeatedly in the Bible we are reminded that God loves us with unfailing love and is ready to receive us, forgive us, and give us a fresh start when we turn to Him and give our will and life over to His care.  So, endlessly living in shame and guilt is clearly not the will of this loving God for us.

Whenever I am anxious and worried, you comfort me and make me glad.  (Psalm 94:19 GNT) 

Building a relationship with anyone is developed by spending time with them, being ourselves, listening, asking questions, telling stories, working together, and so on.  Living in relationship with God is about all these things too.  Neglecting to make time for conversation with God each day is clearly not God’s will for us. 

We may not know what God’s will is for our long-term career or the ultimate working out of problems we created in addiction, but we know that God’s will for us today is to live well and to trust Him with the unknowns. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I want to know Your will for my life and put that into practice.  Help me to stay away from those things I know are clearly not Your will for me and to leave the unknowns of the future with You.  Help me to get to know You more.  Amen

   Video Encouragement and Prayer 

Audio for Knowing What God’s Will Is Not

Recent Meditations

OLD GROWTH GOODNESS
March 31, 2025
ANGER
March 30, 2025
DISCOVERING TRUTH
March 29, 2025
AFFIRMED AND ACCOMPANIED BY A LOVING GOD
March 28, 2025
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
March 27, 2025
See all

Giving Hope

Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.