"What's meant to be, will be." Really?

[SportsJunkie25]

So, for those of you who keep reading my threads, I'm sure you know I'm trying to figure out God's will for my life. Well, here's the problem: Am I supposed to be logically trying to figure it out or will it just happen? I keep trying to go down different avenues but every door continues to get shut. So, do I just sit here and wait? If so, I'd feel like a loser. I'd feel useless. I can't stand sitting at home, doing nothing...not making any headway.

On top of all of my life drama, I am now unemployed. Great. I'm trying to stay "happy" but...well...eh. I'm not hating life but I am very uncomfortable not having a life plan. I'm used to waking up...having things to do (i.e. practice, studying, etc.) Now, I waste my days away doing nothing. That's not very productive. Go volunteer you guys says? Well, I do that...every now n then but I can't volunteer all day everyday. Besides, there's not much going on in this desert of a city.

So, my question to you guys is...what am I doing wrong? Am I supposed to keep trying to think of different things he wants me to do...only for the door to be closed, or will he show me when He's ready to show me. And, if I have to wait until He's ready to show me, how do I get rid of this "loserish" feeling of wasting my days away...doing squat?

People say I just need to sit tight and pray. Uuumm...ok. I've been doing that but nothing has changed. I can't stand being a bum. I need God to show me His will for my life so I can get a move on it. Started making a difference...start doing something...besides wasting my days away on the computer b/c I'm consumed with boredom.

 

[Sackcloth]

Surely the Word says: "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" (Psalm 27:14)

A lady I never knew came up to me, she was filled with the holy spirit and prohesied over me telling me that God has a special plan for me, and that His hand is upon me and many other good things.

Before that, a famous prophet; Dale Gentry, came to my church and prophesied that I would be a great healer.
Many pastors have said that you cannot force the hand of God, and they are right. God will put people, opportunities, jobs, chances, etc. in front of you, for it is God's plan not yours

If He wants you to know whats going on He'll let you know, Don't try to figure it out or be logical, instead continue daily life praying , reading His word, etc.

If you really want God to answer you and tell you what to do NOW, since you can't wait. FAST!!!
Fast now and pray while your fasting, pray for God to show you His plan in your life.

God Bless


EDIT: Surely you know this verse: " 'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the LORD,'Plans you prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

 

[SportsJunkie25]

What's the point in fasting? What can that achieve that prayer can't achieve? I asked this in the fasting forum but no one answered me.

Also, why would people want to go around being hungry? I definitely don't understand this fasting thing...

Oh, I know He will put people, opportunities, etc in my life but what am I supposed to do when that hasn't happened? Just wait...doing nothing. I feel as if life is supposed to be meaningful. If I'm just sitting around doing nothing, life is not meaningful. Sometimes I don't even feel like getting up in the morning b/c I know I'm going to be bored. I can't stand being bored.

 

[Sackcloth]

I feel the same way you do,

Let me tell you something about Fasting, My mother faster for 21 days(Daniel fast) and got an answer from GOD HIMSELF!!!
Fasting doesn't mean you give up food.
Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life.
Fasting and prayer can also work on a much grander scale. According to Scripture, personal experience and observation, I am convinced that when God's people fast with a proper Biblical motive-seeking God's face not His hand-with a broken, repentant, and contrite spirit, God will hear from heaven and heal our lives, our churches, our communities, our nation and world. Fasting and prayer can bring about revival - a change in the direction of our nation, the nations of earth and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
The awesome power can be released through you as you fast through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
Fasting is one of the most neglected spiritual admonitions. In fact, it has been ignored for so long that it is difficult to find information on the "how-to's" of this life-changing experience. When I first undertook an extended fast, I had a difficult time finding information on the nature of a Biblical fast, how to start, what to expect physically and spiritually, and how to terminate a fast.

 

[MarkSB]

I think the point of fasting is to seperate yourself from your desires and get closer to God through it. Sever the flesh from the spirit, if you will. I've never tried it myself but would like to someday.

The verse sackcloth posted about waiting on the lord is the one that came to my mind too. That seems to be what you're doing just remember to be patient. I would say keep trying doors until you find the path God wants you to be on.

 

[SportsJunkie25]

So, if you don't have to give up food, what do you give up? Do you get faster answers depending on what you give up? Do you get faster answers if you do 100% no-food fasts? Here I go...being super analytical. Perhaps i should be some sort of analyst.

 

[Shadolus]

What's the point in fasting? What can that achieve that prayer can't achieve? I asked this in the fasting forum but no one answered me.

Also, why would people want to go around being hungry? I definitely don't understand this fasting thing...

Oh, I know He will put people, opportunities, etc in my life but what am I supposed to do when that hasn't happened? Just wait...doing nothing. I feel as if life is supposed to be meaningful. If I'm just sitting around doing nothing, life is not meaningful. Sometimes I don't even feel like getting up in the morning b/c I know I'm going to be bored. I can't stand being bored.

Fasting doesn't nessessarily mean giving up food. Its when you give up something you love to do(Ex. playing basketball lol) Its suppose to show God your dedication in wanting a solution to your prayers. It also brings you close to Him in doing so. Kinda confusing... yes, but I believe it is a good thing to do if you're willing.

I understand what you're going through. I am also suffuring from too much down time, and wishing I were put to use. But I think if we could see the future we probobly would covet this free time. Pray that God opens, not just yours, but both our eyes to his spiritual intentions. Really, I wonder if this time is here for us to study the Bible, b/c when we are busy with stuff, we won't find the time as easily.

 

[SportsJunkie25]

I think the point of fasting is to seperate yourself from your desires and get closer to God through it. Sever the flesh from the spirit, if you will. I've never tried it myself but would like to someday.

The verse sackcloth posted about waiting on the lord is the one that came to my mind too. That seems to be what you're doing just remember to be patient. I would say keep trying doors until you find the path God wants you to be on.

Oh, ok...that makes sense. So, say if I LOVED chocolate, I could fast, for a week, on chocoalte? Or...is that lame?

About trying different doors. Eh...it's been over 2 years of continuous shut doors. I'm fresh out of doors to try...fresh...out. I'm going to need a miracle!

 

[Sackcloth]

Give up a material thing that you love the most

 

[SportsJunkie25]

Fasting doesn't nessessarily mean giving up food. Its when you give up something you love to do(Ex. playing basketball lol) Its suppose to show God your dedication in wanting a solution to your prayers. It also brings you close to Him in doing so. Kinda confusing... yes, but I believe it is a good thing to do if you're willing.

I understand what you're going through. I am also suffuring from too much down time, and wishing I were put to use. But I think if we could see the future we probobly would covet this free time. Pray that God opens, not just yours, but both our eyes to his spiritual intentions. Really, I wonder if this time is here for us to study the Bible, b/c when we are busy with stuff, we won't find the time as easily.

Oh, ok. Maybe I will fast with computer use. I always use the computer (I'm probably addicted to checking forums and my email. Lol. Clearly...) so I guess that would be a good thing. Is 1 day ok or the longer...the better? Will God reject my 1-day fast? I've never fasted before but I've been thinking about it, recently.

About our free-time: I've been thinking the same thing...I'll probably be wishing for this free time soon. Lol. And, I'm sure I'm supposed to use alllll of this free time to dive into the Bible but that never really happens. I mean, I pray and try to read my Bible every morning but it rarely lasts...for a long time. Morning prayer always happens but Bible-reading tends to go down the drain towards the end of the week. I think I have a problem wanting to read the Bible. Not quite sure how to change that. I don't have a daily urge...

 

[Shadolus]

Oh, ok. Maybe I will fast with computer use. I always use the computer (I'm probably addicted to checking forums and my email. Lol. Clearly...) so I guess that would be a good thing. Is 1 day ok or the longer...the better? Will God reject my 1-day fast? I've never fasted before but I've been thinking about it, recently.

About our free-time: I've been thinking the same thing...I'll probably be wishing for this free time soon. Lol. And, I'm sure I'm supposed to use alllll of this free time to dive into the Bible but that never really happens. I mean, I pray and try to read my Bible every morning but it rarely lasts...for a long time. Morning prayer always happens but Bible-reading tends to go down the drain towards the end of the week. I think I have a problem wanting to read the Bible. Not quite sure how to change that. I don't have a daily urge...

It sure is tough to read the Bible consistantly, I agree. (*warning* this might offend some ppl) But I put one of my Bible's in the cough... cough, bathrooms, for when, you know, umm... natures callen. Yeah sounds a lil gross but you wouldn't believe how much more I read it.

As for how long you should fast. Do what you feel is like a good time that will get God's attention. Its relative to each individual. I'm confident God wants us to be patient.... but man is it hard.

 

[LoneSheep]

The Bible is a great book to read, but you really have to be in the right mood to absorb it (like any information). You also need the right language that you understand quickly.

You like the outdoors, correct? Why not take the Bible outside, find a quiet place to relax and start reading a little at a time? Reading about the creation of life while out in creation is a wonderful experience.

 

[SportsJunkie25]

The Bible is a great book to read, but you really have to be in the right mood to absorb it (like any information). You also need the right language that you understand quickly.

You like the outdoors, correct? Why not take the Bible outside, find a quiet place to relax and start reading a little at a time? Reading about the creation of life while out in creation is a wonderful experience.

That's an excellent idea! Just thinking about it actually made me smile. Me + my Bible + an awesome park = good stuff. I'll try that...

On another note, can anyone tell me how to figure out where God wants me? (I.e. state/city). I really want to move back to my hometown, California, but I'm wondering if God wants me to stay where I'm at. I don't know why...I hate this place (state = NV). Wouldn't he want me to live in a place I've always wanted to live? This place just isn't me...

So, basically, I want to know how I can tell if I'm supposed to suck it up and stay here or keep trying to move home. And yes, I've prayed about it but I still don't know. So, I was hoping you guys could give me some clues?

 

[Fixation On God]

Lady,
God's plan is different for each of us, yet he has the same intentions toward the plans he has for us..
Surely you already know that He has good intentions for you.

I can tell you to expect suffering and hardship for through those things God brings you closer to Him.

Keep living a Godly life, I will pray that He reveals His plan to you.

 

[Fixation On God]

Sorry I left without throwing some Scripture your way

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. " (2 Timothy 2:15)

"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. ... " (Colossians 2:1-23)

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ... "
(Galatians 5:1-26)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ... (John 10:1-42)

"Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. "
(Psalm 119:165)

Don't forget to read Psalm 23
Happy trails =P

 

[heron]

God's plan is different for each of us, yet he has the same intentions toward the plans he has for us..
Surely you already know that He has good intentions for you.

First of all, this is a time where thousands (millions) of people are in the same situation. So don't take it personally. The longer you are unemployed, the worse it tends to feel, so keep yourself grounded and remind yourself of the realities.

There are times when God directs us very specifically, but there are also times when He allows us to make choices, or explore new pathways. We don't get talking burning bushes, or swallowed by whales every day. Leaning on Him is important, and listening, but it's okay if He is not always speaking out the next step.

Consider what types of opportunities might be available during this time of layoffs. Avoid auto sales or design, newspaper production. Notice that environmental promotions are picking up. And certain government jobs.

It is okay to research and think logically. That is what we do in our jobs every day... what our work entails. We still need to lean on our Creator, but He is not opposed to reasoning. If we refused to reason, we'd be living under trees eating rotten apples and fallen nuts. God made us with the ability to build houses and build organizations.

Even in this time of crisis, there is still funding for people to take training courses and degrees. Nurses and med technicians are still needed, and some school programs are only two years. Teachers are still being hired. School bus drivers (if you can take it!). Waitresses.

Sometimes a crisis like this redirects us to a better spot. Let the shift happen. We don't easily get out of our ruts of comfort when things are going well, so think of this as a temporary time of shifting course.

 

[Johnnz]

Make sure you are practical and realistic. Sure, pray. We all need to do that. But we are not immune from life's circumstances, in spite of what some think. Recession means few jobs. That means it will be very hard getting one. Only trying whatever will bring some possibility of actually getting some paid employment. You don't need revelation to begin doing that.

Without work or study daily life becomes unstructured. So, build in some activities - exercise, go to a library, look for work, meet people.

Faith? That's believing that God has not abandoned you.

this is a time when good friends and a supportive church family can make a real difference. I hope you have such support.

John
NZ