God’s will for you is perfect FOR you, even if you don’t think it’s perfect from your own perspective. Some people mistakenly assume that troubles or difficulties in life are some kind of sign that they are missing out on God’s perfect will for their lives.
The reality is – you can be right in the middle of God’s will for your life and experience tremendous hardship. No one can escape all trouble. Ultimately, God’s perfect will is accomplished when the circumstances of our lives allow HIS GLORY to shine through our lives.
God’s Word has many examples of men and women right in the middle of God’s perfect will who still faced misfortunes, hassles, and trials. Joseph certainly faced disruption – trapped in a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison – but God used all of those difficulties to save Joseph’s family and God’s chosen people. David was the God-chosen next king of Israel, yet he suffered through years of jealousy, betrayal, and rejection before he was humanly-recognized as king. Paul was unjustly beaten with rods, stoned to death, shipwrecked, mocked, and ridiculed, but God’s message was still be clearly delivered through Paul. Jesus endured the cruelest inconvenience of beatings, crucifixion, and even death without ever stepping outside of the Father’s perfect will for His life on earth.
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that God isn’t finished yet. Paul stresses, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2 NLT).” I have heard people misrepresent this verse into somehow justifying a substandard for God’s will. Some suggest Paul is delineating three paths, but Paul’s word choice mentions only ONE will. In Greek, the verse DOES NOT break up God’s will into three kinds – good will, pleasing will, and perfect will. The word Paul uses for “will” is singular, not plural. Good, pleasing, and perfect all relate to one singular will.
Disturbance in your life is not an automatic signal that you have somehow missed God’s will for your life. That disagreement with your spouse shouldn’t send you into depressed anxiety about God’s will for your marriage. That rebellious child isn’t a sign that you aren’t called to be a parent. That cantankerous coworker giving you fits, doesn’t necessarily mean God doesn’t want you working at that location. Your flat tire on the interstate doesn’t mean you lost your way.
You may be squeezed today, but you can live for God’s glory!
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:2-4 NLT).”
I am praying today for God’s strength to live for His glory and to trust His perfect will for my life – even if it upsets my preconceived plans and personal comfort. How about you? Are you ready to live for His glory?
