Your Will or God’s Will?
“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
—Matthew 26:39 NKJV
So many of us pray and ask God for things that are not specifically promised in Scripture—a certain job, relationship, opportunity, home, or outcome—but we forget to ask, “Father, is this Your will?”
When we do not receive what we asked for, we may believe God ignored our prayer. But sometimes His answer was no. It was not His will for you to have that job. It was not His will for you to be with that woman or that man. What feels like rejection may actually be God’s protection.
Jesus showed us how to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked whether the cup could pass from Him, but He ultimately surrendered His desire to the Father’s will: “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
That must become our prayer as well.
Sometimes we are so determined and resourceful that we can force open doors God never intended for us to enter. We push, manipulate, and exhaust ourselves trying to make something happen simply because our flesh wants it badly. Meanwhile, God may be placing obstacles in our path to redirect us.
However, every obstacle does not automatically mean God is saying no. Some things require patience, perseverance, discipline, and hard work. There is a difference between opposition we must faithfully overcome and a door God is mercifully keeping closed. That is why we need prayer, Scripture, wisdom, and spiritual discernment.
Ask yourself: “Am I faithfully working toward something God has placed before me, or am I forcing something simply because I want it?”
When God is leading, the road may still be difficult, but He will provide the strength, wisdom, and direction needed to walk it. When you are forcing your own will, you will often find yourself compromising, manipulating circumstances, or losing your peace just to keep the door open.
Pray about everything, but surrender the outcome:
“Father God, if this is Your will, guide me and give me the strength to pursue it. If it is not Your will, close the door and give me the humility to accept Your answer.”
If God closes the door, thank Him. You cannot see the turmoil, pain, or destruction that may have been waiting on the other side. A closed door is not always punishment or rejection. Sometimes it is the loving hand of God protecting His child.
Do not merely ask God to bless what you want. Ask Him to help you want what He wills.
Not my will, Father—but Yours.
—Rev. Carlos Figueroa
TheFreeBible.org
#ThoughtOfTheDay #GodsWill #NotMyWillButYours #TrustGod #Prayer #Faith #Discernment #TheFreeBible
