Living Within the Will of God

How often do we get into a panic over the will of God for our lives?  Why do we freak out about this?  Have we forgotten about such verses as I Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV): “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”?  Or what about Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV): “I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”?

But you may say to me, “Lisa, what about God’s specific will for my life?”  You’re right.  Last I checked, the Bible didn’t say, “Lisa, you are going to marry John Doe on July 27, 2017, and you are going to meet him at Walmart on January 31, 2016.”  You know what?  If it said that, my personality is such that I would avoid Walmart on January 31, 2016, just to see what would happen.  Partially out of stubborn defiance, partially out of intellectual curiosity, and partially out of fear.  If God told you every detail of His will for your life, be honest with yourself, wouldn’t you find something in it to complain about still? Wouldn’t you run from certain things?

Going back to my made up life example, say the Bible did give those details, I would say to God, “I don’t want to get married in July.  Do you know how hot out it will be?  And humid!  Ugh.  No thank you.”  I would honestly reject this despite the fact that I know it would be God’s best for me if that is what His plan entailed.  So I think I will stick with the will of God I already know.  I already struggle to give thanks in everything, why would God want to give me more to handle?  Hard times will come.  Good times will come.  God will show me what He specifically has for me.  But the first step toward that is to follow what I already know to be His will as He has showed it to me in His word.