Letting Go of the Reins?

[Greg the byzantine]

We are always praying that God's will be done, and that he Guide our lives, but how do we go about doing that, without feeling like we are giving up the reins?

Then on the other hand how do we know when something is God's will, like when it comes time to make an important situation?

Sorry if I don't make any sense, if so, just ignore this.

[repentant]

We are always praying that God's will be done, and that he Guide our lives, but how do we go about doing that, without feeling like we are giving up the reins?

Then on the other hand how do we know when something is God's will, like when it comes time to make an important situation?

Sorry if I don't make any sense, if so, just ignore this.


For the first question...We know God has a plan for us, and He helps guide us to it. We don't necassarily "give up the reins". We need to live our lives and hope it's in accordance to God's will. We can't just let what happens, happens. We know we are going to die when God wants us..does that mean we should just live extreme? Should we run across the busy interstate saying if I die, it's God's will? I hope not..

2nd question, I have no clue..

Just my opinion, I'm lost when it comes to this my self..

[Khaleas]

Greg, do you mean situation or decision in the second part??

[Asinner]

These are difficult questions. First, we have to know whether or not we truly desire God's will or just think we do. For me, I have suffered enough with my own stupid decisions that I know my will is definitely not what I desire, lol! Prayer is the beginning of doing His Will, truly asking Him to show you, to guide you . . . opening doors to His Will and closing them to your own. I also believe that God will place within your heart what His Will is and only through fasting and prayer and the opening of those doors will you be able to discern whether it is from God or from yourself. Another clue that you are doing His Will is if you undergo severe persecution . . . :D Satan wants nothing more than to thwart His plans for you because ultimately, they will lead to your salvation and others. Pray the prayers of saints outloud, but pray your desire to do His Will secretly, especially when asking Him whether this or that is His Will . . . knowwhatImean? If the devil gets any inkling as to what His plan may be, he will work extra hard at causing it to not happen; yet we both know that Christ will be victorious if you seek His Kingdom first.

God Bless :)

[ClementofRome]

Here is a for instance....I began negotiations for a new job at another institution over two years ago. At first, it looked like it was a done deal....then it fell through.
They came back to me with an offer a year later, but due to a budget issue, it fell through again.....but that a promise of cutting a contract in fall 06 with the view toward coming on board in fall 07. Well, some info that I received through the grapevine has led me to believe that I will not be receiving a call in fall 06 for fall 07 start date...

In retrospect, I am beginning to believe that I was attempting for force God's hand because I wanted the position so badly....GOD had no intentions of me taking that position. A year ago, I was angry. Now, it seems, that I have a real peace about the situation and in fact, now I don't know if I would take it if they offered.

I have been a believer in Divine providence all my life....the idea that God has a plan for my life even in my feeble attempts to live within his will (a task that I fail at with some regularity).

Forgive me.

[NyssaTheHobbit]

Pray the prayers of saints outloud, but pray your desire to do His Will secretly, especially when asking Him whether this or that is His Will . . . knowwhatImean? If the devil gets any inkling as to what His plan may be, he will work extra hard at causing it to not happen; yet we both know that Christ will be victorious if you seek His Kingdom first.

I'll second that! Back when I was still heavily influenced by Charismatic Pat Robertson and The 700 Club, and my dad told me about setting out "fleeces" to know God's will, I would try to find God's will using Charismatic means. I sat meditating and asking about a certain guy; I would set out "fleeces" and write down what would be a "yes" and what would be a "no" answer. Wouldn't you know it, every time I did this, one way or another I got the "yes indeed, he is your future husband" answer. It was always WRONG!