If you’ve been raised in church like I have, there’s a pretty good chance you have heard the phrase in a prayer: “And Your will be done”, or something similar. We all know that that’s how we should pray, and honestly, when things are going great, that’s so easy to say. Wanting God’s will to be done is so easy when things are going great because what we want is lined up with what He wants.
But how about when things aren’t so great? What about when we really wanted to get into that program at school, but didn’t? What about when a family member is on their death bed? What about when we could really use that new job with that big paycheck? What about when the person you thought you’d be with forever leaves? Those are the times when we aren’t saying “Your will be done” but rather “God, please me get in” or “God, you know I need this job.”
I’m not saying it’s not okay to ask God for these things, because He is the one in control, and He truly does want us to be happy. However, sometimes even though in that moment it may seem like that job or that boy would solve all our problems, we don’t know the future like God does. God has a plan for each one of us. After a tough breakup, I remember constantly reminding myself “If I was that happy with the wrong one, I can’t wait to see my future with the right one.” It's cheesy and cliche but God’s will for us is SO much better than what we could ever even imagine for ourselves.
A verse that I cling to a lot when things aren't going the way I want them to is Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
The thing is, I know that right this second if you’re going through a tough time, reading these things doesn’t make your problem go away right now. Trust me, I understand. I know for sure that God has a plan for me but there are some days that it still stresses me out that I am almost 21 years old and really don't know what my two-year plan looks, like much less five or ten-year plan. If things were going according to MY will, I would be in a serious relationship, graduating on time, and settled on where I want to work. BUT, none of these things are true for me at the moment and while it's terrifying, I just have to remind myself that God knows what He's doing and right now He's just preparing my mind and heart for those steps.
Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It says: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope, and a future."
I’m not trying to act like I’ve done so awesome at staying in the word and praying every day, but I know for sure that every morning that I wake up and give it to God, my bad days aren’t so bad. Just cling to Jesus and start every day with a prayer that God’s will be done and you will be AMAZED at how many times a day God lets you know that everything is going to be okay and that you’re not alone. It’s easier said than done, I know, but the more you do it, the more you believe it, and the more chances God has to reveal his mercy to you.
Even a lot of non-Christians hold onto the idea that “everything happens for a reason” and we’re just lucky enough to know who that reason is. How lucky are we to have faith in a God who knows how many hairs are on our head and the number of stars in the sky. He knew us before we were even born, so what makes us think He’s just going to leave us hanging?
