Better Husbands
Better Fathers
Better Followers of Jesus
Better Men
- Nate Whitson -
Do you know what God's will is for your life?
I know that a lot of men really struggle with this question - myself included at times.
That's why I did a 3-part series about this on my Nate Whitson Podcast show (you can subscribe and check it out here if you haven't yet).
If you missed it, here's the gist of what I said:
Knowing God's will isn't as complicated as we sometimes make it.
What makes knowing God's will so difficult for many of us is that we're asking for specific directions about everyday decisions (i.e. should I take this job? should I marry this girl? should I buy this house? etc.)
But God hasn't promised that He would give us specific instructions like that.
However, there ARE several clear and direct things that He has spelled out for us that are not ambiguous or unclear at all.
Like this passage from 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18.
"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
Now, I don't claim to be the brightest person on the planet - but I think anyone can understand exactly what God's will is for them from this passage.
For the not-so-bright, here is it:
- Always be joyful. Being a man of joy is one of our 4 principles in our online Fight Club community. (By the way, you should check it out if you're not a part of it yet!) What I often hear men say is that joy is maybe the hardest of the four to live out. (The others are Honor, Discipline, and Strength.) God produces joy in His people through the changes the Holy Spirit brings to our lives. It's a key characteristic of godly men and it's clearly His will for you and I to be men of joy.
- Never stop praying. Does this mean you need to bow your head, close your eyes, and fold your hands all day long? No. (At least I hope not! That would make driving so much harder!) But it does mean that you need to be in constant communication throughout each day with God. Don't try to make this type of prayer a formal thing. As you go throughout your day, simply talk with God and include Him in it. This is His will for you and it promises to be good for you if you will!
- Be thankful in all circumstances. We live in a world that's highly discontent and never satisfied. We are rarely truly thankful for all we have or all God's done (or maybe that's just me). But God's will for you is that you'll be thankful in ALL things. The good, the bad, the tragic, and the glorious. Thanking God and finding ways to change your heart throughout each day is His will for your life.
So, don't make knowing God's will something more complex than it needs to be.
If you're always joyful, praying, and thankful - you're right where you need to be in the center of His will!
Nate
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P.S.
Do you find it difficult to understand what God's will is for your life?
Is it elusive or confusing to you?
Or do you think that maybe we've made it more complex than it really is?
Share what you think with me - I'd love to hear your take. 📧 [email protected]
P.S.S.
Sometimes I write these newsletters early in the morning and my hair looks like this. Don't judge me! I'm doing the best that I can with the face and hair that He's given me! It's all I've got.
