Why God Hides His Will For You

There’s a old proverb that that says:

Give a man a fish and he’ll feed himself for just a day, but give him the means to catch his own fish and he’ll be able to feed himself and his family for a lifetime.

The principle is clear and, on the surface at least, compelling. It is often used as the difference between helping someone or teaching them to fend for themselves. One gives what is needed in the mom; the other seeks to provide the means for being self-sustained.

The Will Of God For You

The book of Hebrews reminds us that in the Old Testament era God spoke many times in many ways (Hebrews 1:1). We think not just of prophets being given direct words from God, but also of angels appearing with divine guidance, of visions, dreams, and even personal messages appearing on a wall to declare what to take place (Daniel 5:5).

If you look back on such times, you can easily feel a little envious. Which of us wouldn’t want our own private angel to tell us how to best navigate life? Or a vision to let us know what God’s will is? Without such direct revelations, it can be hard to discern what God would have us do.

But when we think that way, we may actually be asking for less, rather than more.

The New Testament is not short on teaching about God’s will. It is there. It is also clear. But it is often not as specific as we would like. On one occasion Paul writes, “This is the Will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). That’s all well and good, but what job should I take? Should I move next year? Should I be pursuing marriage? And would about all the smaller decisions we face each day?

How We Find God’s Will

God hasn’t given us a magic 8 ball. That might seem frustrating. But He has given something much better:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Roman 12:2

This is our relationship to God’s will; not that He emails a daily briefing of what were to do each day, but that He gradually renews our minds, changing the way we work, giving us the capacity to discern His will without moment-by-moment direct updates. But the trick is if we want God’s will for our life, we have to allow Him into our hearts so that He can do that changing work that needs to be done.

This is hugely dignifying. God is not telling us what to think at every moment, but how to think. He’s rarely telling us what decision to make, but teaching us how to make decisions.

What God Is After

There are a couple of examples of this in the New R. We’ve already seen what Paul said to the Thessalonians. God’s will is that we are sanctified; that by increasing measure we become more and more like He is; holy (1 Peter 1:15). A significant component of that is therefore resisting all sexual immortality. Any move toward sexual sin (mental or physical ) is a direct contradiction of God’s will As we take God’s word, we gain a better understanding of what He’s like, and what He likes.

Romans 8;29 says “Those He foreknew He also predestined to be confirmed to the image of His Son, so that he might be the firstborn of many brothers.” (or sisters )What’s God’s will for you? That you become more like Jesus, and that many others become more like Him too. Anything that leafs us toward that end is God’s will.

Many people today are moving away from churches. They don’t want to make the sacrifice to go church every week. Some people feel like they are being judged by others, Some just think they’re too busy, or need a few more hours of sleep before returning to their busy work week.

I will be the first one to admit some times I don’t feel like going to church. But then I think “This isn’t about what I want, it’s about what God wants.” I don’t get up and go to church for the people that are there. I go to seek God, it’s my soul purpose. I also think tithing comes from the heart. No one should make you feel guilty about tithing. That is between you and God. I think of it as I’m sowing into my inheritance in heaven.

Having a relationship with God isn’t about what others think, or say. It’s about doing God’s will. The Bible doesn’t say I have to sit at my desk a 7:00 AM with a open Bible. But it does say I’m to become more like Christ. And this won’t happen without spending time with Him in His word and praying.

Transformed, Not Just Informed

So, God doesn’t give us a spiritual GPS – “turn left there, then right.” He gives as an atlas- “this is your destination; get here, by all good means available.”

This may not be as easy as simply being told what to do or where to go, but surely it far more rewarding. God wants to train us not to need angels delivering instructions. He wants to give us far more; the increasing capability, by His Spirit who lives in us, to think like He does- to have our minds rebooted with His operating system. God is not merely handing us a fish when we need to eat, but He’s teaching us how to feed ourselves.

During the process of learning how to “feed ourselves,” however, God’s will often seems frustratingly vague and non-specific. The difficulty is part of the design. In those moments, we must look again at the destination we are headed, pray much, and think carefully about how to get there. God wants so much more that to prescribe our every step. He wants to help change. He does not simply want to inform us, but to transform us.

Why Are We So Hard On Ourselves?

We all have a inner critic that affects all of us in some way, with some people having a more harsh voice than others. Some are not even aware of it. Where does it come from, and how much it really affects us.

Being self-critical can activate the fight/flight/ freeze/fawn response in our brains because it interprets our sold-criticism as an emotional attack on ourselves.

But who do we raise awareness around our experience with it? What does self-criticism look like. Here are some common traits of self- criticism:

  • We judge ourselves harshly
  • We fear rejection and family
  • We experience low self-worth
  • Our self-talk often included words like “I should, I could, I shouldn’t have done, I will never”
  • We are very task and achievement oriented
  • We often set unrealistic expectations of ourselves
  • We feel underserving of basic respect and understanding from ourselves or others
  • We have a very low (or non-existent) tolerance for making mistakes
  • We may experience perfectionistic or people pleasing tendencies
  • We have a hard time developing close relationships and opening up to people

Can you relate to any of the traits?

You may be wondering where all this self-criticism comes from. It is not always necessary to understand this, but it can be helpful to understand the root cause,

Reasons Behind Self-Criticism

  • Early Trauma or Peer Relationships:

If at an early trauma happened and they were very critical of you or themselves, there’s a chance that self-critical traits and resulting behaviors were projected onto you. This may be a person being highly critical of you or others, whether they were hard to please, controlling, or comparing you to others, or lacking affection. It could have been verbally or emotionally “You sister is smarter than you” or “you will never make it in life why do you even try” or non- verbally with disapproving g looks, the silent treatment, or eye rolls.

There is a way that teasing can be healthy, such as playful teasing between loved ones. However, when peers or family members becomes unhealthy and may turn into bullying, this can lead to a harsh inner voice. Children are very impressionable and are much more likely to internalize negative comments from others begin to form our own beliefs about ourselves , or identities, and our self-esteem. At a young age, it is hard for us to differentiate between comments we should or shouldn’t take to heart, especially when these comments are coming from people who are close to us.

Self-criticism can be viewed as a learned behavior. If someone who cares for you is dealing with their own self-criticism and you may have picked upon that and began to treat yourself in the same way.

  • Cultural Beliefs

Within some cultures, it is believed that self-criticism is an effective motivator. This includes your families culture.

People who were raised with this type of parenting may have parented you in the same way. They were most likely well-meaning and not entirely wrong. Self-criticism does motivate in the short term. But, there are a few problems with this type of motivation. self-criticism motivates from the basis of fear and judgement, which leads to many problems that far outweigh the benefits of using this type of motivation.

  • Abuse

Any kind of abuse – physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, or psychological can contribute to self-criticism. Whether is was recurring or happened one time, it can still have an impact on how you view and treat yourself.

When we begin to see the root cause of our self-criticism, then and only then can we begin healing and working on our self-critical views and work on using self-compassion to quiet our inner critic.

Why Did God Destroy Sodom And Gomorrah?

The simple ways of sudden Camorra were so corrupt that God destroyed the two cities with fire sparing only the family of Lot.

The Bible account of Sodom and Gomorrah is a cautionary account of the destructive consequences of sin. Sodom and Gomorrah were series mentioned in Genesis, notorious for their flagrant sin Genesis 18:21-21 states.,

The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great that their sin is so Grevious that I will go down to see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me, if not, I will know.

Genesis 18:20-21

When Abraham learned of God’s plan to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, he asked God if He will spare then if He can find 50 innocent, godly people. God reassures Abraham that if he finds 50 righteous people He will spare the city for their sake. Abraham didn’t ask about a lesser and lesser number and held down to 10 people as God answers, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it” (Genesis 18:32).

God’s Angels Arrive In Sodom and Gomorrah.

Sodom was one of the most ancient cities of Syria. It was commonly Ningen in connection with Gomorrah, but also with Admah and Zeboim, and o one occasion with Bella or Zohar (Genesis 14:1). Saddam was evidently the chief town n the settlement.

After leaving Abraham, God’s angels arrive at the gates of Sodom and Gomorrah where they were greeted by the gate keeper Lot. He pleaded with the angels to join him in his house so he could wash her feet and serve them a meal. The angels agreed and went to the house of Lot. Lot was a foreigner to the realm of Sodom and not succumbed to the lustful, degenerate sins rampant in the city.

Sodom, Sodomy, and Sodomites.

One of the most prevalent sins in Sodom was homosexuality of the men, engaging in sexual relations with the other men and boys. Bottom is where they get the term “sodomy and sodomites” named after this widespread sin of the town. After the angels entered the home of Lot, the men of the city surrounded Lot’s house. According to Genesis 19:5, “ they called out to Lot ‘ where are the man who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them.”

Lot pleaded with the crowd to reconsider, even offering his two Bergen daughters in place of the two visiting men, whose angelic identity was apparently unknown to the lustful sodomites. “get out of our way,” they replied. “ this fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! Will treat you worse than them” (Genesis 19:9). As the crowd moved to break down the door, the men inside pulled Lot back inside and shut the door.

As Genesis 19:11-13 states, “Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door. The two man said to Lot, “ Do you have anyone else here – sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that He has sent us to destroy it.”

The Burning Of Sodam and Gomorrah.

After lot is unable to convince his son-in-law to leave the city, he fled Sodom with his wife and two daughters encouraged by the two angels that the Lord will look after them. The Angels first tell Lot to flee to the mountains, but Lot requests that his family go to a near by city, named Zohar, to ensure their survival.

The Bible describes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:23-29, stating:

By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the Lord rain down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah -from the Lord out of the heavens. He overthrew both cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities – and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Early the next morning Abraham got up and return to the place where he had stood before the Lord. He looked down towards Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. So when god destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities were Lot had lived.

Genesis 19:23-29

Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt as she looked back, “for disobeying the instruction not to look back. Her actions suggest that she identified with the people of Sodom. Her failure to free God’s punishment becomes a vivid warning to others (Luke 17:32).

This account of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a lesson of the consequences of sin and the wrath of God.

Life Changing Bible Verses

I spent years feeling lost, abandoned, unloved, and afraid. I’d become convinces that I was unwanted – and pretty or smart enough to have a successful, happy life.

You could say after years of hearing these things spoken to me. Somehow I began to believe them , The lies had taken root and I felt totally unworthy.

They say if you tell a lie long enough people with think it’s truth.

After nearly 40 years of carrying all these negative emotions around I couldn’t take the weight they had put on me. As I came to the saving knowledge of Jesus and finally began to unpack the baggage that was holding me hostage, I became aware of all the damage those false beliefs had caused in my life.

I know we all carry a certain amount of negativity or doubt around with us about our self-worth caused by events and set us up for difficulties. So, I’m writing about how managed to change my life for the better.

Here I’m going to share with you the life-changing truths that were revealed to me from the Scriptures that replaced the lies I had come to believe.

First read these scriptures out loud to yourself and ask God to give you great faith to believe His words about you and fight against all the enemies lies.

1.God pursues His sheep (people)

2. Even while we’re destitute and far from His God wants us.

3. We are precious in His sight

4. His creation is wonderfully made

5. Every person has value

6. Our worth is not determined by our outward image

7, Our minds can be transformed and renewed

God Pursues His People

Everyone one of us was a lost sheep until we found our shepherd. Here’s the parable Jesus told:

Suppose one of you had 100 sheep and loses one of the . Doesn’t he leave the 99 in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbor’s together and says,’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep,’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents that over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Luke 15:4-7

Like the rebellious sheep, we foolishly runaway when our shepherd is chasing after us. We misunderstood His pursuit and have a hard time believing that He really wants to help us. But instead of punishing the sheep, look what the shepherd does in the parable- he gives up everything for the rebellious sheep to be found, And when they are finally safe, the shepherd rejoices,

Even While We’re Destitute And Far From Him, God wants us

When I was troubled and alone, He was right there with me. Although I searched the world for the love and acceptance. I was deeply craving. God’s plan was for me to find it only in Him.

Surely your goodness and love follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23;6

We Are Precious In His Sight

Read this verse to see how God feels about you and who you are in His eyes.

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by your name: You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you: And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall notebooks burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God. The Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Sebastian in your place. Since you were precious in My sight. You have been honored. And I have loved you; I will bring your descendants from the East. And gather you from the west: I will say to the north, Give them up!” And to the south. ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar. And My daughters from the ends of the earth – Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory: I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

Isaiah 43:1-7

In God, there is redemption for comfort for His people, regardless of the circumstances. We are His and He doesn’t give up on those called for His glory.

His Creation Is Wonderfully Made

God saw all that He Had made, and it was very good…

Genesis 1:31

That’s you! You were wonderfully made with intention and purpose, not as a clone to any other of God’s created beings.

Every Person Has Value

Since we belong to a loving Father, we ARE loved. And not only do we belong to Him, we were created by Him. God supervised our creation, watching over us as we were intricately knit together in our mother’s womb

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I an fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was woven together in the depth of the earth. Your eyes say my u formed body; aka the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. when I awake, I am still with you.

Psalm 139:13+18

Every single person is known and lived by the Creator God.

Our Worth Is Not Determined By Our Outward Image

Thankful,y, the Lord looks at the heart, not at our exterior.

As humans, it’s normal to notice appearance and it’s second-nature to make some assumptions. However, God asks us to go further – to look past the exterior and see each person based on their heart, just like He does.

Charm is deceived, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Romans 12:2

Our Mind Can Be Transformed And Renewed

You will in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26;3

He has given us everything we need to renew our minds and knows His will. When we study His word and know the trust, we can replace the lies with words that speak life and remind us of our value and worth in Him.

Ultimately, in our weakness and sin, we know that untruths are easy to believe. But when you study these life-changing truths from the Bible and make efforts to heat

When we spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, the truth is revealed to us,

It has taken me 10 years of study, meditation, and prayer, but God has given me great faith and truth has been revealed. I know for certain that my value and worth is unchanging, thank to a loving Savior.

Seasons of Sorrow

It’s in the hardest moments of our lives that we learn to lean on God and trust who He says He is. We have the optometrist either turn away from Him or allow our faith to be transformed into something tangible that we can carry with us the rest our lives.

It’s when I had felt that I’d lost everything, that I found my greatest strength, not realizing it, until I was completely ready to give up.

I was tired of fighting, I had to fight my way through my entire life. I felt I was drowning in my own regret. I lost the only thing I could trust in my life, the support of my father. I was losing my husband of 30 years, and my daughter and I had lost myself a long time ago. Their was only my son and he was 3000 miles away.

I had turned away from God a long time ago. “If He was real and truly lived me like everyone kept telling me, how could He just watch all the horror I have been through.”

I had run from everything and everyone that loved me. I felt the only way out was to end it all. I packed a bag and drove for miles, not knowing where I was going to end up. I ended up at my sisters, we had not talked in years, but it’s the only thing I had. I had driven 200 miles. Later to realize that the drive there I was shaking so badly and crying out for someone- anyone to rescue me from the pit I was in.

I kept telling everyone I was a saved Christian. That night I realized I was living a lie, I might have taken to title of a Christian but I definitely was not and by no means was I saved.

I had turned away from God and never had any intention of accepting Him into my life. Sure I had gone through all the motions but that was all.

That night I reevaluated my relationship with God. I told Him that night if He got me out of the mess of a life I had made. I would turn to Him. At the time I doubted every word I had spoken to Him.

But, as I sat there on the bed at my sisters home. I processed through the insurmountable pain and loss I had to overcome in my life. To say the least I didn’t sleep at all, and cried most the night.

A had hit rock bottom, There was no where else for me to go. I decided I nothing to lose.

I stayed at my sisters house for 4 days, trying to get the nerve to even ho home and face my husband. And in that time, My sister and I had patched things up.

Now it all can down to either I had nothing and had to start my life over. Or put all my trust in God, A God I had doubted my entire life. But hey what did I have to lose. I anchored down in the sovereignty of God and prepared for the worst. That my husband would not let me in the house, and it was over.

Trusting God and His purpose for me meant trying to find joy in the sorrow.

It ended up my husband and decided to give it another shot. To forgive everything we’ve ever done to each other. And start fresh.

God pulled me out of the pit and stood me on a solid ground. Now I was up to me to try and collect all the garbage in my life and throw it out for good.

These days I’m on a steady path of following and obeying God everyday. And I will never have to worry about my past mistakes. It’s an amazing feeling. To know I am forgiven.

That long season of pain and suffering are over. Thank God!