THE WILL OF GOD IN THE CHANGES OF LIFE by Gail Rodgers

Blog Owner's Note: Though I don't ordinarily post other author's devotions on my blog anymore, I'm doing so today because I have a friend that could use this message. I'm hoping that they visit my blog today, and that it helps clear some things up. Now on to the Devotional:


Change. It comes to all of us on our journey. Some of the changes we embrace heartily and with anticipation. Other changes are more difficult.

Being God's children we know He has a plan for our lives. Yet at times we long to know... does it include this move, this change? Sometimes we have a hard time figuring it out. Is this an opportunity from the hand of God? Can we know His will for our lives for sure?

As we seek to know God's will we find that His word reveals fresh insight.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

When we know nothing else of God's will, we do know these three things. We are to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful! The perplexity of our anxious wondering can hinder these things in our lives. Joy fades when fear and anxiousness creep in. When God seems silent on a matter we can find our prayers dwindling. The attitude of gratitude is hard to maintain as we worry about making the right choice.

We choose. In every change and every uncertain step... we choose. Either we continue to stew about what God's will is...or we embrace what we already know is His will as taught right from His Word. We ask Him to cultivate in us a thankful spirit, a joyful heart and a prayerful attitude.

Over time the way becomes clear. God shows us that He is more interested in our internal state than in our external location. Once we get His perspective, peace can settle into the soul. He can be trusted to open and close the right doors.

Make a conscious effort to ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be joyful and thankful today. These are not our natural reactions in situations of uncertainty.

~Father God,
In the midst of the uncertainty of my life I ask that You would help me to make the most important change...the change in me. I ask that You would help me to have a joyful attitude, a thankful spirit and a praying heart. Work in me by the power of Your Holy Spirit today. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.