How does God guide us?

[KingGeorge]

Hello,

For some time now I've been unable to understand how exactly God guides us through life. In my prayers I always ask for guidance so I could achieve health and happiness, but I have a problem with the "way" God is supposed to guide me. I know that in order to be healthy and happy I need to make better life decisions; but how is God supposedly helping me in this regard? I've been obsessing about the thought that God can at moments basically high jack my brain and make me think certain thoughts so I could make better decisions, and this scares me, because it puts the image that God is controlling me like a puppeteer, as if my life decisions are based on what He wants, not what I want. I struggle with this because basically it suggests God is running my life, not me! I have a problem with analyzing God and my faith, so thats why these thoughts kind of take over and make me anxious. I asked a good friend about this, and he told me that the Holy Spirit guides us like a flashlight would in a dark forest, a guiding light, so to speak. But it still doesn't really stop these fears that God is basically controlling me and making decisions for me, so I'm at lost. I tried contemplating if God could lead me through people instead, but again I get scared when I imagine God bringing someone in my path, as if AGAIN He is controlling someone out of their will to basically 'guide me'. I just can't understand how God works through different people and how that doesnt make God basically a puppeteer.

I struggle with OCD so these thoughts have been stuck in my head for a long time and made me anxious. How can I bring this fire to an end?

 

[Jeshu]

Wrong thoughts bring us wrong emotions. Thoughts which make God scary need to be fought with the truth so that He can be loving again.

The best way to understand God's guidance is that the truth of God teaches us about life in our truth. So His truth brings us more truth in return. God would never force His will on anyone but He guides us with His truth.

Now His truth does not bind us to His will but makes us free to do His will. See God would only ever let His truth guide us to Him and His things. The truth makes us loving people. Free people, wise people and joyful people.

So when you ask God to guide you then this means that the things you have learned from God will always aid you on your path. You will through His loving truth make better decisions and keep yourself out of trouble making the wrong decisions. This is how the truth of God guides us.

Please repent of your thoughts that make God a puppeteer, such will only scare you away from God's counsel, rather understand that His loving truth will aid you in the decisions you make in life and keep you from making big blunders.

Peace.

 

[Monk Brendan]

Hello,

For some time now I've been unable to understand how exactly God guides us through life. In my prayers I always ask for guidance so I could achieve health and happiness, but I have a problem with the "way" God is supposed to guide me. I know that in order to be healthy and happy I need to make better life decisions; but how is God supposedly helping me in this regard? I've been obsessing about the thought that God can at moments basically high jack my brain and make me think certain thoughts so I could make better decisions, and this scares me, because it puts the image that God is controlling me like a puppeteer, as if my life decisions are based on what He wants, not what I want. I struggle with this because basically it suggests God is running my life, not me! I have a problem with analyzing God and my faith, so thats why these thoughts kind of take over and make me anxious. I asked a good friend about this, and he told me that the Holy Spirit guides us like a flashlight would in a dark forest, a guiding light, so to speak. But it still doesn't really stop these fears that God is basically controlling me and making decisions for me, so I'm at lost. I tried contemplating if God could lead me through people instead, but again I get scared when I imagine God bringing someone in my path, as if AGAIN He is controlling someone out of their will to basically 'guide me'. I just can't understand how God works through different people and how that doesnt make God basically a puppeteer.

I struggle with OCD so these thoughts have been stuck in my head for a long time and made me anxious. How can I bring this fire to an end?

You're making progress. YOu admit that you don't always like the way God guides you. Admit you've been wrong in prayer, and then ask God to help your emotions to line up with what you know to be the truth.

God doesn't want robots (puppets, if you like). He wants true daughters and sons.

 

[Rescued One]

When we pray, we ask for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. When we align our desires with HIS, we feel better about His decisions. It took me several years to realize that.

I find guidance by reading His word and thinking about it. How does He want me to treat others? What are the ways I can avoid temptation? Am I content with those situations I can't change?

Psalm 119
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

God has a plan that will benefit those who love Him.

Proverbs 3
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

As the years go by we have contentment when we do what is right, and we ask forgiveness every time we screw up.

 

[Rescued One]

I WANT the Spirit of God to be in control; I submit to Him because God changed my heart.

Romans 8 Berean Study Bible
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.a 2 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you b free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet the Spirit gives you lifec because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead d will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

 

[DeepWater]

Hello,

For some time now I've been unable to understand how exactly God guides us through life. In my prayers I always ask for guidance so I could achieve health and happiness, but I have a problem with the "way" God is supposed to guide me. I know that in order to be healthy and happy I need to make better life decisions; but how is God supposedly helping me in this regard? I've been obsessing about the thought that God can at moments basically high jack my brain and make me think certain thoughts so I could make better decisions, and this scares me, because it puts the image that God is controlling me like a puppeteer, as if my life decisions are based on what He wants, not what I want. I struggle with this because basically it suggests God is running my life, not me! I have a problem with analyzing God and my faith, so thats why these thoughts kind of take over and make me anxious. I asked a good friend about this, and he told me that the Holy Spirit guides us like a flashlight would in a dark forest, a guiding light, so to speak. But it still doesn't really stop these fears that God is basically controlling me and making decisions for me, so I'm at lost. I tried contemplating if God could lead me through people instead, but again I get scared when I imagine God bringing someone in my path, as if AGAIN He is controlling someone out of their will to basically 'guide me'. I just can't understand how God works through different people and how that doesnt make God basically a puppeteer.

I struggle with OCD so these thoughts have been stuck in my head for a long time and made me anxious. How can I bring this fire to an end?

The reason you are not understanding how God leads, is because you are not using the Light He gives to show you the path.
You have to turn on the Light to be able to get rid of the darkness, KingGeorge.
You just wrote a lot of details, and yet, you never mentioned reading the Word.
And the reality is, unless you are connected to the word of God, you absolutely cannot be connected to direction from God.
God IS His word, He operates through it, He leads us with it, and if its not a part of your everyday lifestyle.....time spent in it, you will continue to be wondering why you are not getting clear and certain direction.

Listen.....
Prayer, is you talking to God.
The New Testament, is God talking to you.
The bible is a LIVING BOOK..Its ALIVE......its not just ink on paper with a black cover.

Now im going to tell you what to do with the NT.
Open it.
Read the Gospel of John, and The Proverbs..... beginning to end, for 2 weeks.
Everyday, read some.... and not just once a day.
Open the NT, turn to the Gospel of John, and say....>"God, you are my Father, show me what to do".. and read and read.
Do not do this with the cell phone ringing and texting you.
Turn off the TV.
You have to understand that when you want God to become real to you, you have to GET REAL with Him.
And this means that you have to spend quality time, alone with God., in HIS word.
That is your answer.
See...., the New Testament is Light, its direction, its help .......its answers.
God is in there, and if you go in there and stay then He will meet you, and help you.

There is no other way.



blessings,


<dw><

 

[Sabertooth]

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot [even begin to] see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 NKJV

@KingGeorge , you started this post in the sub-forum, "Struggles by Non-Christians."

If that is correct, your Holy Ghost GPS cannot be activated until you plug into God, through Jesus.

At best, you are just winging it.
At worst, you are being misled.

 

[KingGeorge]

Thanks so much. Now I'm beginning to understand better how God guides me. I was beginning to think that this anxiety and worries were lead by my incorrect knowledge of God, which is true. It makes a lot of sense now.

 

[Bumble Bee]

MOD HAT ON
This thread has been moved from Struggles by Non-Christians to Christian Advice.
MOD HAT OFF​

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hello,

For some time now I've been unable to understand how exactly God guides us through life. In my prayers I always ask for guidance so I could achieve health and happiness, but I have a problem with the "way" God is supposed to guide me. I know that in order to be healthy and happy I need to make better life decisions; but how is God supposedly helping me in this regard? I've been obsessing about the thought that God can at moments basically high jack my brain and make me think certain thoughts so I could make better decisions, and this scares me, because it puts the image that God is controlling me like a puppeteer, as if my life decisions are based on what He wants, not what I want. I struggle with this because basically it suggests God is running my life, not me! I have a problem with analyzing God and my faith, so thats why these thoughts kind of take over and make me anxious. I asked a good friend about this, and he told me that the Holy Spirit guides us like a flashlight would in a dark forest, a guiding light, so to speak. But it still doesn't really stop these fears that God is basically controlling me and making decisions for me, so I'm at lost. I tried contemplating if God could lead me through people instead, but again I get scared when I imagine God bringing someone in my path, as if AGAIN He is controlling someone out of their will to basically 'guide me'. I just can't understand how God works through different people and how that doesnt make God basically a puppeteer.

I struggle with OCD so these thoughts have been stuck in my head for a long time and made me anxious. How can I bring this fire to an end?

I don't see any problem with God moving our thoughts or emotions in specific directions. The bible tells us over and over again that God's thoughts toward us are only for our good. When he directs you you can be sure it is for your benefit. Yet God does not control us, he still enables us to make decisions. But in important things God may well move our thoughts in a particular direction.

 

[Michael Vichiola]

Hello,

For some time now I've been unable to understand how exactly God guides us through life. In my prayers I always ask for guidance so I could achieve health and happiness, but I have a problem with the "way" God is supposed to guide me. I know that in order to be healthy and happy I need to make better life decisions; but how is God supposedly helping me in this regard? I've been obsessing about the thought that God can at moments basically high jack my brain and make me think certain thoughts so I could make better decisions, and this scares me, because it puts the image that God is controlling me like a puppeteer, as if my life decisions are based on what He wants, not what I want. I struggle with this because basically it suggests God is running my life, not me! I have a problem with analyzing God and my faith, so thats why these thoughts kind of take over and make me anxious. I asked a good friend about this, and he told me that the Holy Spirit guides us like a flashlight would in a dark forest, a guiding light, so to speak. But it still doesn't really stop these fears that God is basically controlling me and making decisions for me, so I'm at lost. I tried contemplating if God could lead me through people instead, but again I get scared when I imagine God bringing someone in my path, as if AGAIN He is controlling someone out of their will to basically 'guide me'. I just can't understand how God works through different people and how that doesnt make God basically a puppeteer.

I struggle with OCD so these thoughts have been stuck in my head for a long time and made me anxious. How can I bring this fire to an end?

Simple, he guides us with his word, his son, and the holy spirit. Remember, the bible is god talking to you, Also, prayer. prayer is talking to god, The bible mentions in Isaiah that God/Jesus has many names, including "Wonderful Counselor"

 

[Andrew77]

Hello,

For some time now I've been unable to understand how exactly God guides us through life. In my prayers I always ask for guidance so I could achieve health and happiness, but I have a problem with the "way" God is supposed to guide me. I know that in order to be healthy and happy I need to make better life decisions; but how is God supposedly helping me in this regard? I've been obsessing about the thought that God can at moments basically high jack my brain and make me think certain thoughts so I could make better decisions, and this scares me, because it puts the image that God is controlling me like a puppeteer, as if my life decisions are based on what He wants, not what I want. I struggle with this because basically it suggests God is running my life, not me! I have a problem with analyzing God and my faith, so thats why these thoughts kind of take over and make me anxious. I asked a good friend about this, and he told me that the Holy Spirit guides us like a flashlight would in a dark forest, a guiding light, so to speak. But it still doesn't really stop these fears that God is basically controlling me and making decisions for me, so I'm at lost. I tried contemplating if God could lead me through people instead, but again I get scared when I imagine God bringing someone in my path, as if AGAIN He is controlling someone out of their will to basically 'guide me'. I just can't understand how God works through different people and how that doesnt make God basically a puppeteer.

I struggle with OCD so these thoughts have been stuck in my head for a long time and made me anxious. How can I bring this fire to an end?

Your concern seems contradictory.

I mean.... think about it..... if G-d was controlling you directly.... I think the very first thing he would do, is make you happy with him controlling you. Wouldn't that be the very first action? In all those movies where someone controls anther's mind, the first they they do is act all happy.

The very fact you are worried about that, pretty much proves G-d isn't controlling your thoughts.

So, how does G-d lead us?

Mark Gungor, a pastor out of Wisconsin, says it best... when G-d wants him to move, G-d shuts all the doors and windows in his life, and then sets the house on fire, and opens 1 door. Then Mark says he feels "led" to go through that one door.

Another way of saying it, is that you make the most wise and moral choices that you can, and then trust that G-d will guide your steps.

What job should I do? Well what can I do? You make wise assessment of your ability. You apply for more than one or two jobs, that you can do. Then trust that G-d will guide your foot steps in faith.

 

[Tom 1]

Hello,

For some time now I've been unable to understand how exactly God guides us through life. In my prayers I always ask for guidance so I could achieve health and happiness, but I have a problem with the "way" God is supposed to guide me. I know that in order to be healthy and happy I need to make better life decisions; but how is God supposedly helping me in this regard? I've been obsessing about the thought that God can at moments basically high jack my brain and make me think certain thoughts so I could make better decisions, and this scares me, because it puts the image that God is controlling me like a puppeteer, as if my life decisions are based on what He wants, not what I want. I struggle with this because basically it suggests God is running my life, not me! I have a problem with analyzing God and my faith, so thats why these thoughts kind of take over and make me anxious. I asked a good friend about this, and he told me that the Holy Spirit guides us like a flashlight would in a dark forest, a guiding light, so to speak. But it still doesn't really stop these fears that God is basically controlling me and making decisions for me, so I'm at lost. I tried contemplating if God could lead me through people instead, but again I get scared when I imagine God bringing someone in my path, as if AGAIN He is controlling someone out of their will to basically 'guide me'. I just can't understand how God works through different people and how that doesnt make God basically a puppeteer.

I struggle with OCD so these thoughts have been stuck in my head for a long time and made me anxious. How can I bring this fire to an end?

When I pray about things I don’t understand, or want to learn how to deal with better etc., things always slot into place, and new insights and ways forward just ‘happen’, leading to fruitful ways of thinking about or addressing whatever the situation is. If I don’t pray about a given thing, that doesn’t happen. I’m not so sure about the ‘health and happiness’ prayers tbh, I mean I tend to think we should be more engaged with the realities of life than that, if that makes sense. Often I pray for God to give me understanding of what is the best way forward, or what I should do about this or that situation, and that invariably leads to an understanding that unfolds over time.