Do you ever wonder if you’re living in the center of God’s will?
Do you sometimes think, “Maybe I’ve missed the mark, got off track or messed things up big time? I’m probably somewhere out in left field, far away from the perfect road God planned for my life.”
I used to think that way all the time. But the more I spend in God’s Word the more I understand His will for my life.
God’s will for your life isn’t some mystical secret or profound mystery that He’s hiding from you. God’s will is not out of your reach or too complicated to understand {most of the time}. 🙂
In fact, God has placed instructions in the Bible for you and me – to read, study, and understand. You can find several verses that reveal God’s will and His plan for your life.
Here…let me give you a great example:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Did you see that? Clear, concise, and easy to understand, right?
Rejoice ~ To feel or show great joy or delight.
Pray ~ To talk to God, especially to give thanks or to ask for something.
Thankful ~ To express thanks. To be glad that something has happened or glad that someone or something exists.
So let’s do a little exercise. {Don’t worry…I’m not going to ask you to pull out your dusty dumbbells or strap on ankle weights.}
1. What is one thing – a situation, person, or experience – you can rejoice about today? Okay, write it down on a piece of paper.
2. Next, pray (talk) to God about the situation/person/experience you’ve selected to focus on. Tell Him why this brings you so much joy. As you pray, write down all the reasons that come to mind.
Tip: Take your time and don’t rush the process. Enjoy these moments with the Lord and resist the temptation to hurry through to the next step.
3. Now, express to God your thanks for something that happened this week. It can be a something big or small. Tell God all the reasons why you’re thankful and why this brought you such delight. Be sure to write it down.
See, that wasn’t difficult at all. In fact, I bet you feel a little refreshed, rejuvenated and energized after going through this exercise. Why? Because you were spending time with God and doing His will in your life.
Life Application: Practice doing this 3 step exercise each day – through the day.
If you’re running errands or sitting in traffic… rejoice, pray, give thanks to God.
If you’re in a meeting at work or on a 15 minute break…rejoice, pray, and give thanks to God.
If you’re folding clothes or unstacking the dishwasher…rejoice, pray, and give thanks to God.
If you’re working out at the gym or running a mile…rejoice, pray, and give thanks to God.
Get the idea? Okay, it’s your turn. Leave a comment sharing one thing you are thankful for today or tell about a situation or person that has brought you great joy.
Oh, before I forget…
Congratulations to the winner of last week’s giveaway for a signed copy of A Confident Heart Devotional Book:
Winner ~ Gifty Morris
If you’re visiting my blog for the first time, welcome! Feel free to poke around and check out the free resources by clicking the “giveaways” tab here. I’d love for you to subscribe, so we can stay in touch. Just fill out the “subscribe for updates” box above. It’s super easy.
NOTE: For those of you reading this post from your email inbox, be sure to click the title of this post {I’m So Far Away} which will take you to my site, so you can leave a comment. If you have a prayer request, be sure to include. It would be an honor to me to pray for you and your loved ones this week.
Stay in the Word and stay awesome!
Melissa says
Need to rejoice and give thanks more often. Thanks for the three step process. The reminder.
Nancy Dunker says
I am thankful for my husband of 42 years and my son and his family. Our daughter died 4 1/2 years ago from cancer (age 35) and we are thankful that we had her for 35 years, but miss her terribly. My prayer is for healing for me and all my family. We would like to move closer to our son and it is a big move. I would like to ask for prayer for all details of this move; getting enough for our current house to be able to financially pay for the move and to find another home that we can be happy and healthy in and be close to our son. Thank you for you blog and for your prayers.
Michelle says
Thank you for your blog posting, “I’m so far away”. I am recently divorced after three decades. The last years were mentally abusive. I praise God for His continued healing. Your blog posting helped me. I felt led to Psalm 16 afterwards, “The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory.” I would appreciate prayers for me and my grown son and daughter-in-law. I am starting over in every way. Seeking a job, needing a car, so many things. What I seek most is for God to restore so much that was lost, not things, but the really important aspects of our lives. We need family and roots and God’s will fulfilled in our lives. We have been hindered so much that I don’t even know how to verbalize it in few words here. I was also blessed by reading the other postings in the comments section. Thanks again for being a voice and a light for God. I pray God’s blessings upon your ministry for His glory.
leah says
Michelle, thank you for leaving a comment and being so honest about your struggles. I’m so very sorry to hear about your recent divorce and I’m praying for you/your family today. I’m trusting God will comfort you with His love and strengthen you through His Word. That He will reward you as you earnestly seek Him. May you sense His presence each day and know that He is carrying you through this difficult season. As I read your comments, I was reminded of Psalm 25: 4-6. Its a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness. I don’t think you’d e disappointed if you decided to read the entire Psalm. 🙂 Blessings, Leah
“Show me the right path, Oh LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have show from long ages past.” Psalm 25:4-6
Michelle says
Leah,
Thank you for your words of encouragement, comfort, and prayers for me and my family. I have come back to this posting several times to read your letter of response to my comments. I am seeing some answers to prayer. Day by day, unto us His children, He gives. Thank you again for the timely Word from the scriptures. God be with you & your family. Michelle
Ann Marie Peterson says
GREAT BLOG!
Jan Albritton says
Dear Leah, Thanks so much for your uplifting words that I can take with me on my daily journey. I want to share that today I am rejoicing in celebrating with my cousin, Norma, her 67th birthday!!! She lives in Michigan, and my dad and her dad were brothers. We keep in touch – not often enough – but this, being her Special Day, gave me the opportunity to share in celebrating her life and the gratitude I feel for having her as my cousin, friend and sister-in-spirit. Happy Birthday, Norma!!!
Much Love and Many Blessings, Jan Albritton
leah says
Jan, what a beautiful way to celebrate your sweet cousin, Norma. I’m praying for both of you today, asking God to provide all that you need, according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. Sweet Blessings, Leah
jennifer says
I am thankful my 21 year old daughter has been clean off of heroin for 10 days. She is entering an inpatient program next week. Finally she has a desire to be clean. Thank you God. Prayers would be appreciated for her journey through this disease.
leah says
Jennifer, I’m praying for your precious daughter today, asking God to strengthen her and guide her along the journey of recovery. These verses came to mind and I hope they bring you and your daughter much joy today. Sweet Blessings, Leah
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Sandra Price says
Thanks Leah for your personal response that gives this process of revealing this issue publicly a little easier. Thanks for the encouragement! Blessing Sandra
Stephanie B says
Leah ~ I think this is a fantastic way to stay in contact with God daily. Today I am especially thankful for my husband who contiunes to love and support me as much today as he did 21 years ago when we were dating. 🙂
I do have a prayer request for a family member that is experiencing struggles after a 20 year marriage ended in divorce and the heart strings involved with dating again.
Thanks for all you do to keep us motivated through God’s Word.
leah says
Hey Stephanie ~ Yes, you have a great hubby and he’s got an AMAZING wife!!:) You can tell him I said that too! I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s divorce. I will certainly be praying for this family. Even though I don’t know their names, God’s knows every single detail about their lives, and that’s what matters the most. May He mend and heal their hearts, as only He can do. Hugs, Leah
Sandra Price says
Hello Leah! This is my first time visiting your blog! Thank you for the focus today on what is needed for a closer walk with Jesus. I recently found out accidently that I have a lesion on my bone in my chest. I am not able to get this taken care of right now as I am traveling for work with my husband. I know that Gods will is in this that he wanted me to find out.So now I am praying for healing. I am also doing a fast today. Satan is trying to scare me but with Gods help we are ,”capturing every thought and making it obedient to Christ! Please pray for my healing and strength to get through this. And Gods will to be done. God bless!! Sandra
leah says
Sandra, I’m so glad the Lord brought you to my blog yesterday. I’m sorry to hear about the recent discovery of the lesion on your chest bone and I’m praying for you today. I hope your fast went well and trust that God will continue to guide and hold you closely through this journey of healing. He promises to provide all of your needs! May this scripture verse below bring you comfort and encouragement today. Sweet Blessings, Leah
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:19