Finding God's Will

            Sometimes I look into the future and I can feel so overwhelmed.  My secretary, Francie, has a very good friend and -- the woman can't be but 61 or 62 years old -- there's a chance she may have Alzheimer's.  And I remember thinking,  at her age -- 61 years old?  It was just a little jarring, because admit it, by honest, you start to think, whoa, that's young, that's not far from my age.  There's hardly a Christian who at one point doesn't look into the future and thing, "What is God's will for me?  What will He do, what's His plan for my life?"

            Well, you don't have to be in your 60s to be asking that question -- some people ask it in their 20s, or even younger than that.  And for whatever age you are, First Thessalonians 5: 16-18 may be short and sweet, but these sentences are all the answer you need.  Listen to this wisdom.  It says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  

            Man, God is so amazing.  He squeezes so much incredible insight into such a short space.  He even says, "okay, here is my will for you if you are wondering about your future:" in Christ Jesus, be joyful.  Pray continually.  And give thanks. 

             But I can hear you saying, "But you don't know my circumstances.  How can I be thankful for the pain and turmoil in my family?"  Well, friend, God is not asking you to be thankful but to give thanks.  There's a big difference between feeling thankful and giving thanks.  One response involves emotions, the other, your choices, your decisions about a situation, your "step of faith." as it were.  It takes faith -- sometimes great faith and a terrible circumstance -- to choose to forgive, to choose the loving (and not angry) response.  That's hard.  Your feelings are pulling you the other way.  But trusting God has nothing to do with trustful feelings.

            And something else to keep in mind:  God's not asking you to give thanks for the tough times-only that you give thanks in them.  Give thanks that He is sovereign... give thanks that He is in control... give thanks that He's planning it all for your good, for your family's good, and ultimately it will be all to His glory.

            The Biblical command to be joyful - that's a command, to pray always, and give thanks will lead to a clearer understanding of where God's leading you, your future is all about and what He wants you to do.   It's what happened to me many years ago after my accident.  In that hospital, I gritted my teeth, and I willfully gave thanks for everything from those grueling hours of physical therapy to the sometimes awful food.  Months later a miracle occurred.  As I gave thanks I began to feel thankful.  My brighter attitude enabled me to give thanks for greater things, more things.  And later on, another miracle happened:  I was able to rejoice in suffering and even give thanks for things.  And finding God's will from then on out?  It just seemed to naturally unfold.

            And I think I'm going to swallow my own prescription as I consider Francie's good friend who is struggling with Alzheimer's, I'm going to remember how I Thessalonians 5 served as my anchor years ago when I was first injured -- be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks.  If you're wondering what God's will is, that simple command is a good place to start!

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