Finding God's Will

1. Acknowledge the fact that you need some help. 

James 4:6 New Living Translation (NLT)

6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”

When life gets hard, you may need to humble yourself.

Stress is when you take responsibility for things that you don't have control over.

2. Believe the best about everyone you meet. 

A. It's not your responsibility to judge others. 

James 4:11-12 New Living Translation (NLT)

11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.[a] If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

B. When you judge others, you are wrong most of the time.  

1 Corinthians 4:5 New Living Translation (NLT)

5 So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

When you believe the best, it allows you to engage the law of reciprocity.  Our actions have a boom-a-rang affect.  

You can choose how people treat you. 

Luke 6:37-38 New Living Translation (NLT)

37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

3. Consult with God before you do anything. 

James 4:15 New Living Translation (NLT)

15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

Ask, will this honor God.  

Matthew 6:33 New Living Translation (NLT)

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

God is at work on the solution before you knew there was a problem. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

Greg Surratt, Church of the Highlands