God's Will or Our Desires?

Erik and I desire children so badly and sometimes question if that’s what God has planned for us. 

Even just typing that statement makes me sick. 

But good news!!  God graciously continues to remind me of simple truths in His word.  I’ll share those with you, in hopes that it can encourage you in whatever situation you may be in.  J  (Also, I can reference this post when I’m having “one of those days”.) 

Alright- - the gist is:

*Through prayer, we can have confidence in our desires, trusting and believing that we are indeed desiring God’s will for our lives.

Now, I do believe this is a process.  It is sometimes hard to discern what is our self-seeking desire and what is the righteous path that God has laid before us.  When we have a hard time discerning the difference, the only things we can do is turn to God in prayer, lean on His word and examine our hearts.  This is first and foremost.  If we are truly seeking Him, and I mean whole heartedly seeking…. then I believe His will becomes clear.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV

When we reach that clarity with a great deal of peace, then the challenge is remaining focused on the following truths so Satan doesn’t deceive us into questioning our faith in God.     

1.) Remember:  We are holy and blameless children of God through Jesus Christ!

“… In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world. That is, in Christ, he chose us before the world was made so that we would be his holy people—people without blame before him.  Because of his love, God had already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ.”  Ephesians 1:3-5 NCV

“…He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel…”  Colossians 1:22-23 NIV

“…Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past. You did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted. But be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who called you, is holy. It is written in the Scriptures: "You must be holy, because I am holy." I Peter 1:13-16 NCV

2.)  Remember:  God wants us to be confident in and BELIEVE what we are praying about!

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:6-7 NIV

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”  Matthew 21:22 NIV

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”  Luke 11:9-10 NIV

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NIV

“So when you pray, you should pray like this:  'Our Father in heaven, may your name always be kept holy.  May your kingdom come and what you want be done, here on earth as it is in heaven.’ ” Matthew 6: 9-10 NCV

 “… The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV

3.)  Remember:  God’s plans are even better than our own!!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”  Ephesians 3:20 NLT

“We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.”  Romans 8:28 NCV

4.)  Remember:  Be happy!

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”  I Thessalonians 5:16-19 MSG

God is GREAT and He loves us, y’all!  Let’s be confident in who we are IN HIM and focus on the goodness of the Lord.  J  …..  Have a great rest of the week, friends!

"We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties." ~Oswald Chambers