God's plans and mine

Hardly an expert on the subject myself, but one way I've heard of is to keep an eye open for which doors He opens and which ones He closes.

Bob8102 said:

I have what seems to me to be a reasonable set of plans for what to do in my life in the future. But Proverbs 3:5-6 say, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart...lean not unto your own understanding..." I have been mystified by the gray area between God's will and my will. Because of my wavering faith, I may at some points wholeheartedly commit to something like what it says in the passage referred to, but at other times waver away from that and be concentrating on my agenda, all the while fully aware that God can do what he wants with us and our plans. I am living on a shrinking amount of savings and I have some specific plans as to career and as to reversing the outflow of money from me. We all naturally want God to rubber stamp/bless our own plans and projects, but Christians typically warn against such an approach. I am not sure if I will know if God is saying "Go ahead with your plans" or else "Do something else." As to career paths, it seems some Christians just go ahead with their own best thinking/planning while others claim to be clearly called by God to certain paths. Of course, many of those in ministry say they were called by God into the ministry. But, for example, I know of one woman who was a high-powered lawyer who said God clearly directed her to become a counselor in a rehab center in another state for half her income as a lawyer. So, I am cautiously going ahead with my plans while being aware that God could direct me to change them. My question is, how might I know it if God directs my paths?

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'Sup brother. It can be difficult to know our future, but we must pray, or ask a leader such as a priest.

From a Christian perspective, the question you have raised is a common one and touches on the importance of discernment and trust in God's will for our lives. The passage from Proverbs 3:5-6 emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and not relying solely on our own understanding. However, it is also important to recognize that God often works through the decisions and plans we make in life.

Firstly, it's essential to understand that God's will is not always a clear, direct path with a neon sign pointing the way. Instead, it is often a gentle nudge or a sense of peace that comes when we are aligned with His plan for our lives. The Bible encourages us to seek God's wisdom and guidance through prayer, meditation on His Word, and seeking counsel from other believers.

Regarding your specific situation, it's crucial to pray about your plans and desires, seeking God's guidance and wisdom. You can ask Him to give you clarity about whether your plans align with His will or if there's something else He has in mind for you. Additionally, it may be helpful to look for signs or circumstances that could indicate God's direction. For example, unexpected opportunities or coincidences that align with your plans could be seen as God's leading.

However, it's also important to remember that God's timing may not always align with ours, and His plan may not always look the way we expect it to. Trusting in God's sovereignty means trusting that He has a good plan for your life, even if it doesn't fit neatly into your plans or timeline.

Regarding the examples you have mentioned, it's essential to recognize that everyone's story is unique, and God's call on one person's life may not look the same as another's. Some people may feel a clear calling to a specific career or ministry, while others may discern God's will through a sense of peace or a series of events. Ultimately, the key is to seek God's guidance and wisdom, remain open to His leading, and trust that He will direct your paths.

TLDR: To know if God is directing your paths, it's essential to seek His guidance through prayer, meditation on His Word, and seeking counsel from other believers. Look for signs or circumstances that may indicate His leading, and trust that He has a good plan for your life, even if it doesn't fit neatly into your plans or timeline. Ultimately, the most important thing is to trust and obey Him, knowing that He is always working for your good.

There are some people who the Lord particularly directs. For instance, we see the calls of Jeremiah, Isaiah, Paul, etc. as very definite.

But if you do not yet see the Lord guiding you to a particular calling, then follow what the text says.

Proverbs 3:5-6

In all your ways acknowledge Him. Live for Him. Follow what His word does reveal. Make sure you are seeking His kingdom first:

Matthew 6:25-34 25
If the profession you are considering is not prohibited in Scripture, or something that will distract you from following God, then I would say go forward,, acknowledging you will continue only if He wills. If he then directs otherwise, be willing to change.

If you don't have specific orders from God, follow the ones already given generally in Scripture as to how to live for Him.

Bob8102 said:

My question is, how might I know it if God directs my paths?

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There is a book called: "What would Jesus do". Very few people live their life the way Jesus did. But that is what God is calling us to. When it comes to money I want to know if I am helping or harming people. Usually when money is involved there is harm being done. Jesus was a carpenter, Paul was a tent maker. So it is possible to live a life pleasing to God.

Bob8102 said:

I have what seems to me to be a reasonable set of plans for what to do in my life in the future. But Proverbs 3:5-6 say, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart...lean not unto your own understanding..." I have been mystified by the gray area between God's will and my will. Because of my wavering faith, I may at some points wholeheartedly commit to something like what it says in the passage referred to, but at other times waver away from that and be concentrating on my agenda, all the while fully aware that God can do what he wants with us and our plans. I am living on a shrinking amount of savings and I have some specific plans as to career and as to reversing the outflow of money from me. We all naturally want God to rubber stamp/bless our own plans and projects, but Christians typically warn against such an approach. I am not sure if I will know if God is saying "Go ahead with your plans" or else "Do something else." As to career paths, it seems some Christians just go ahead with their own best thinking/planning while others claim to be clearly called by God to certain paths. Of course, many of those in ministry say they were called by God into the ministry. But, for example, I know of one woman who was a high-powered lawyer who said God clearly directed her to become a counselor in a rehab center in another state for half her income as a lawyer. So, I am cautiously going ahead with my plans while being aware that God could direct me to change them. My question is, how might I know it if God directs my paths?

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Good advice all. I would add this Scripture to your prayer life as well. It certainly worked for me - though it took a lot longer and along strange paths that I didn't expect:

Psalms 90:17 NIV​

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands."

delete, sorry wrong thread

Hello @Bob8102, the following teaching series, both from Dr. R. C. Sproul, may prove to be helpful to you. The first lecture will not only point you to how God's will for our lives is best/most often discovered, but it will also tell you how to NOT go about discovering it as well, which is very important to know too (obviously).

Both are free to stream online, and both were originally made for his radio broadcast ministry called, Renewing Your Mind (the first link leads to a single lecture, the second to a 5-part series, just FYI).

Enjoy


God bless you!!

--David
p.s. - the following is a wonderful command with a wonderful promise from God attached to it (it should be very useful in your quest to find God's will). However, be sure to take the time to understand exactly what the command half (our half) of the verse is actually instructing us to do

God is personal with His children, personally communicating with us, guiding us, correcting us. So, trust him to share with you.

There might be surprises.

I have thought I had the teaching gift. So, I have tried to straighten out everyone about what the Bible means. And often enough, genuinely Christian people have not cared to listen to me or seek me to teach them.

Then it came to me that my teaching gift was for teaching >me< how to love! teaching >me< how to be humble! teaching >me< to be quiet and "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (in James 1:19-20).

Bob8102 said:

I have what seems to me to be a reasonable set of plans for what to do in my life in the future. But Proverbs 3:5-6 say, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart...lean not unto your own understanding..." I have been mystified by the gray area between God's will and my will. Because of my wavering faith, I may at some points wholeheartedly commit to something like what it says in the passage referred to, but at other times waver away from that and be concentrating on my agenda, all the while fully aware that God can do what he wants with us and our plans. I am living on a shrinking amount of savings and I have some specific plans as to career and as to reversing the outflow of money from me. We all naturally want God to rubber stamp/bless our own plans and projects, but Christians typically warn against such an approach. I am not sure if I will know if God is saying "Go ahead with your plans" or else "Do something else." As to career paths, it seems some Christians just go ahead with their own best thinking/planning while others claim to be clearly called by God to certain paths. Of course, many of those in ministry say they were called by God into the ministry. But, for example, I know of one woman who was a high-powered lawyer who said God clearly directed her to become a counselor in a rehab center in another state for half her income as a lawyer. So, I am cautiously going ahead with my plans while being aware that God could direct me to change them. My question is, how might I know it if God directs my paths?

Click to expand...

You'll know, and if you don't know or aren't sure then he is not directing your path. See, that was easy.

Ex-pope Benedict says God told him to resign during 'mystical experience' | Pope Benedict XVI | The Guardian