When in trouble, how to find God's will

I have been waiting for my SSDI Settlement for 20 months. My lawyer has advised me that my hearing is scheduled in Feb 2010. I was hurt on the job as a nail went through my left instep. I had steel toe boots on that day and have not been able to work since this accident! My question is where can I find where the Gospel will tell me that God has a place for me? 

-Albert

Albert, thanks for dropping by. I am sorry about your accident. It is discomforting to be without work, and facing an uncertain future. I am also sorry that I cannot give you a detailed roadmap of what God has in store for you. Only He knows that. There is no place in the Bible that tells exactly what God specifically has in store for each individual in this life. 

However, that does not mean that God has left us clueless about what He has in store for us both now and in eternity. These are given in general principles. Consequently, let me give you some of those principles – and maybe some practical advice.

1. God knows you individually, and is aware of your plight. He also loves you, and has a plan for your life (John 3:16; 10:10; Psalm 139). 

2. God is in charge of the entire universe, has a plan for the same, and works all things after the council of His will (Ephesians 1:11; Isaiah 40) down to the smallest detail (Lamentations 3:37, 38 – consult the entire chapter).

3. God permits difficulties to be placed into our lives that our faith may be strengthened (1 Peter 1:6, 7). He also causes the bad things that happen to us to work out for our ultimate good in the end (Romans 8:28).

4. A first step in finding God’s will for your life, is to make sure you are a born again Christian. There are articles on this website regarding how to be saved. He wants you to be saved, but you must first be born again and receive Jesus Christ to be your Savior (John 1:12, 13; 3:16; Ephesians 2:8, 9). 

5. Another step is to realize what God is trying to accomplish in your life: it is to conform you to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:28, 29). This means that God is transforming you to act like, think like, be like, and believe like Jesus Christ. He is our role model to follow (Colossians chapter 3).

6. There are certain tasks that God has placed into the hands of His followers. You work on construction. This means that your company has a certain job to do: build a building, construct a road or bridge – or whatever project is before them. God has something He is doing in this world also, and we are His co-workers (1 Corinthians 3:4-9). First, He wants us to follow the Great Commandments: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and second, love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27). Breaking it down to greater detail, He has charged us with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

7. Now, on a construction job, there are carpenters, equipment operators, iron workers, concrete people, laborers, and welders – all people with different crafts with their individual abilities, training, and experience. In the same way, in the church there are different roles that people engage in, depending on the abilities that God gives them (1 Corinthians 12:1-11ff.).

8. In trying to figure out God’s will for your life, it is like finding your niche on a construction crew. You first evaluate what abilities God has given you, what are the opportunities are in front of you, what resources He has granted you, what desires He has placed on your heart, and then come up with a plan to match all four together. Insight can come from other mature Christians, your spouse, circumstances in your life, life experience, and just good common sense. Keep reading the Bible as God speaks to us through it. Pray to God for understanding and wisdom (James 1:5, 6).

You can be confident that God is preparing you for something right where you are at. Most of the time we don’t know what God has in store for us until after it happens. Then we can look back and say, “Oh that was what God was preparing me for.” It is important to start getting involved in people’s lives, church work, and trying out different roles in Christian service. Whatever you are good at, and what you love to do, is probably what God wants you to do.

9. If you plan to become involved in Christian work, then you need the training and experience – just like you need to learn how to become a carpenter, etc. To do this you can go to a Bible School, become involved in a Bible believing church, read books, or take courses online – such as Newman Bible Academy.

10. As a final practical bit of advice, follow the directions of you Lawyer regarding the details and decisions with your injury. Make the best out of your difficult situation.

Albert, all the best to you, and may God richly bless you in every way.

Dr. Willis & Esmie Newman