When we want more than God has planned

ByTheSpirit

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So is this a good/bad/indifferent thing: When we want more than what God has planned for us.

Someone who wants to have a healing ministry, but never sees healing manifested.

Someone who wants to preach, but is never called upon to do so.

I mean there are other examples that are less religious and probably pretty subjective, and my somewhat awful examples aside.

Is it possible that those desires are God birthed and we are just to strive/struggle for them?

Or is it possible that we can want more than God has planned for us?
 

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Or is it possible that we can want more than God has planned for us?

Yeah I do think this is possible. People are ambitious after all. Our heart lusts after worldly acclaim and praise and accomplishment and such. Even if our intentions are good, to bring about the Kingdom of God, sometimes we aren't focusing enough on what He wants to do with us. We should not seek to elevate ourselves above the position God wants us in, we should be content with our lives as they are, and if God desires to move us up into a position of higher esteem then we should certainly accept such a gracious offer.
 
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Tree of Life

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It's possible that God wants us to struggle to realize certain desires or dreams we have. It's also possible that we can want other than what God wants for us. But we must always trust God in the midst of our frustrated desires that we can never want more than what God wants for us. Even if God's desires for us and our desires are not the same in a given moment, God's desires for us are best are are far greater than all we could ever ask or even imagine.
 
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bèlla

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So is this a good/bad/indifferent thing: When we want more than what God has planned for us.

I have a passion for relationships. I spent years discussing the subject elsewhere. When I returned to God the passion never left. It remained and included marriage. The surrendered woman is something I could speak of daily without running out of topics.

But alas, I'm not married and He called me to the marketplace and fashion. However, others within the church have recognized this within me and encouraged me to teach and suggested seminary school and women's ministry. But I had no wish for either.

I don't think it's wholly me but it's also a part of me that He's redeemed that I didn't pursue properly. And while I'd love to stand on a stage and talk about marriage He desires something different. I'd make a larger impact being successful in the marketplace while abiding by these principles.

It is one thing to hold that perspective and another to have a life of comfort and say the same. It is one thing to call him my beloved as part of our life and ministry and another to echo the same as the CEO who embraces his headship and authority.

I don't believe I wanted more. It took a long time for me grasp what He was asking of me in light of our culture and today's ideologies. He needed someone who could stand. Who was utterly convinced of her place and it wouldn't be shaken. And to know that He finds me worthy of that...

No words can explain the depth of my appreciation. I didn't lose anything. I'm stretching to reach the mark He set. That is the better road for me.

His Will; my fate.
 
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Blade

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What matters is whats written. Your desires? 1st did not Christ say.. what so ever you desire when you pray believe you receive it and you will have it. Is it not written all good things come from God. The enemy's not going to give you desires or thoughts to serve God. Gods WILL is His word.. So far what you said goes in line with His word.

What stops God is DOUBT. So many are moved by what they SEE HEAR FEEL! The word says.. we walk by faith.. faith is the only thing that pleases Him. Christ said.. these signs shall SHALL follow them that (KEY here) believe. When I pray.. 1st I KNOW He hears me.. I make sure there is NO SIN so I repent of any. If I am praying for someone.. there is no "I didnt see anything happen". That is NOT written. HE said.. lay hands on the sick and the shall be healed. Peter and John at the Gate didnt ask Jesus to come or to touch them ..no. They said.. what I have give I unto you in JESUS NAME! They told us later "why look on us as if we did this by our own power. Its FAITH IN THAT NAME! Faith in HIS NAME!"

I don't have the power.. its not me. He ALREADY did it.. Isa 53:5 are...1st Peter 2:24.. WERE healed. There are SO many reason when praying...some are not forgiving others..some are walking in sin and will not repent.. on and on. Need to ALWAYS be prayed up before.. and ask the sweet sweet Holy Spirit to use us with HIS gifts..

Fact.. if its of GOD He WILL open all the doors and will provide EVERYTHING that is needed. That WORD Is HIS WILL. Not what I say or anyone else. Fruits of the spirit.. He will always use peace..never fear.. never RUSH HURRY.. haha..He knows already.. FAITH..
 
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topher694

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When people come to me who are struggling with what God has called them to do & be, I always encourage them to follow their passions and interests (as long as they line up with scripture) and see what God does with it, because that is a part of how God made them.

However, we must always be extremely careful that we are always pursuing the gift Giver, not the gift. Pursuing your passion and interests is a different thing than pursuing a platform. God provides the platform when you are ready, and if someone isn't ok with that, then their heart probably isn't right.

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart"

What many miss in this scripture is this: Where are the desires of your heart fulfilled? From delighting yourself in the Lord. Meaning, God isn't a vending machine giving you whatever you want, when you want it. But, when you pursue Him with everything in you, His desires for your life become your desires for your life and He is able to fulfill them, because your focus is first and foremost on Him.

For example, if you have a heart for healing, read and study all you can. Study scriptures on healing, and read about established healers of the past (like Wigglesworth). Pray for the folks God puts in your path. But don't print out business cards, announce to your pastor or anyone who will listen that you have a "healing gift" (It's all God anyway).

Likewise, if you feel called to preach, again study the Word and other established preachers you gravitate towards. I often suggest even going so far as preparing messages as you get inspiration... even though you have no platform to share them on... you are building your skills,preparing yourself AND growing your knowledge and relationship with God. But, don't go out church to church offering to preach (I've seen it).

If you do things like this, God will provide the platform when you are ready, you won't even have to work at that part, and it will bring Him glory. If you do things like this and you find your passion fading, then perhaps it isn't a part of your calling, but the cool part is you haven't wasted your time because you've learned more about God and your calling.
 
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jiminpa

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Sometimes, we want exactly what God wants us to want, but we are passionately impatient about it. Reading your posts here and on HGO, I can confidently say that your passionate heart is very likely from God, but you are impatient with yourself foremost and life after that. I think that God loves your passion, but it might not be time.
 
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hislegacy

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Eph 3:20. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

I don’t think you can out expect God.
 
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BenFTW

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As much as contentment is often praised, I also see it as a negative, because it accepts the mundane, it receives plateaus, and hinders growth. If we can be better, if we can go further, why be content where we are when we can be far more reaching?

It is good to be content where you are, but this should not hinder progress. Be glad that you have made it to where you are but always know that there is more to be had. There are always deeper levels of experience. The Lord heals a headache through you, great! What about a broken bone? When will your faith accept the reality that with God all things are possible? Small or great is only a construct of our minds. For God, it is simply a word and it is done.

I think what you have expressed is hunger and this is good, because it will seek God. It is healthy.
 
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So is this a good/bad/indifferent thing: When we want more than what God has planned for us.

I believe it can be a 'bad' thing ... IF our desire for "more than what God has planned for us" drives us away from God, hinders our relationship with Him in any way.

I believe it can be a 'good' thing ... IF this desire for 'more' drives us deeper into relationship with Him, causes our faith and trust in Him to grow.

I say all that because I sincerely believe God is more concerned about 'relationship' ... than 'works'.

Not that 'works' ... those done in love .... are not important, because they are ...
but because faith, hope, love ... in and for God ... is what I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me is most important to Him.


Is it possible that those desires are God birthed and we are just to strive/struggle for them?

Yes.

Or is it possible that we can want more than God has planned for us?

Yes.

Discernment in determining these things is key ...
the counsel of wise, loving friends can be helpful and prove insightful ...
mostly, the Holy Spirit is Our Loving Guide, Counselor, Comforter on this journey ...

God bless.
 
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lismore

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So is this a good/bad/indifferent thing: When we want more than what God has planned for us.

Someone who wants to have a healing ministry, but never sees healing manifested.

Someone who wants to preach, but is never called upon to do so.

I mean there are other examples that are less religious and probably pretty subjective, and my somewhat awful examples aside.

Is it possible that those desires are God birthed and we are just to strive/struggle for them?

Or is it possible that we can want more than God has planned for us?

Hello There ByTheSpirit. Interesting question. In my experience of Pentecostal Church 1999-2007 a lot of people were competing with each other/vying/ promoting themselves into teaching/ministry/leadership positions. Few were called of God to take leadership positions, few were ready or came with a pure heart. A lot of people wished to be in the limelight, less wanted to do menial tasks.

Moses was a very humble man, was called of God to be a leader and a prophet, he asked God to send someone else. He wasn't pushing himself forward.

I think good things to look for in a potential leader are fruits of the Spirit and a servant heart. Someone called by God will serve in tasks no matter how menial or how small just to bless God's people and serve the Lord and they will do this with joy. Someone who isn't called by God will not do this, they'll complain, they'll make it about them, they'll show the fruits of the sinful nature.

James 3:1 says that not many should be teachers/ leaders, it's a very important calling.

God Bless :)
 
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FatalFantasy

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So is this a good/bad/indifferent thing: When we want more than what God has planned for us.

Someone who wants to have a healing ministry, but never sees healing manifested.

Someone who wants to preach, but is never called upon to do so.

I mean there are other examples that are less religious and probably pretty subjective, and my somewhat awful examples aside.

Is it possible that those desires are God birthed and we are just to strive/struggle for them?

Or is it possible that we can want more than God has planned for us?
Less is more :)
 
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hislegacy

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Someone who wants to preach, but is never called upon to do so.

I can help you here:

There are abundant opportunities to preach - Short term missions - small groups - feeding the homeless - volunteering in an area of ministry at your church.
 
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ByTheSpirit

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I appreciate all your kind and generous replies. My question wasnt really about myself, although it could be. I was honestly just curious about the possibility of someone reaching for more than what God had designed.

I somewhat knew that it is entirely possible for a person to do more than God wanted or have great desires that God gave them, as @mourningdove~ mentioned its really about discernment and I think being able to hear & know the Spirit's leading.

At any rate, I better stop, thank you all for your replies :)
 
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ByTheSpirit

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When people come to me who are struggling with what God has called them to do & be, I always encourage them to follow their passions and interests (as long as they line up with scripture) and see what God does with it, because that is a part of how God made them.

However, we must always be extremely careful that we are always pursuing the gift Giver, not the gift. Pursuing your passion and interests is a different thing than pursuing a platform. God provides the platform when you are ready, and if someone isn't ok with that, then their heart probably isn't right.

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart"

What many miss in this scripture is this: Where are the desires of your heart fulfilled? From delighting yourself in the Lord. Meaning, God isn't a vending machine giving you whatever you want, when you want it. But, when you pursue Him with everything in you, His desires for your life become your desires for your life and He is able to fulfill them, because your focus is first and foremost on Him.

For example, if you have a heart for healing, read and study all you can. Study scriptures on healing, and read about established healers of the past (like Wigglesworth). Pray for the folks God puts in your path. But don't print out business cards, announce to your pastor or anyone who will listen that you have a "healing gift" (It's all God anyway).

Likewise, if you feel called to preach, again study the Word and other established preachers you gravitate towards. I often suggest even going so far as preparing messages as you get inspiration... even though you have no platform to share them on... you are building your skills,preparing yourself AND growing your knowledge and relationship with God. But, don't go out church to church offering to preach (I've seen it).

If you do things like this, God will provide the platform when you are ready, you won't even have to work at that part, and it will bring Him glory. If you do things like this and you find your passion fading, then perhaps it isn't a part of your calling, but the cool part is you haven't wasted your time because you've learned more about God and your calling.

I truly appreciate this response. Thank you!
 
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