Other times, we will seek confirmation about vital life choices. We might want to know if it’s time to take the next step in a relationship, a career choice, or another critical juncture (1 Peter 1:13). But sometimes, the only way to determine whether things will work out is to keep moving forward one action at a time (James 1:22). It is better to take incremental steps toward a greater goal than to rush into something prematurely and unprepared (Proverbs 16:9).

Are you unsure if God is giving you the green light to get married? Keep dating and pray for clarity. Do you need help to decide whether to transition from your current job to another employer? Keep working and pray for God to open and close doors that pertain to employment as He sees fit (Proverbs 3:5-6). Is it plausible that God wants to teach you something where you are right now and wants you to be patient (Romans 8:24-25)? Pray for wisdom to determine if you’re missing out on a lesson or if it’s time to make a more substantial adjustment (James 1:5-8). So, ultimately, we aim to balance aligning our desires with God’s timing and continue preparing for the future (Ecclesiastes 3:17).

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie ten Boom

Look back a year, several years, or even a decade. Hasn’t God always been faithful to help you overcome every obstacle? He has a perfect track record (Romans 5:5). Why would you start doubting Him now? When you look back, do you see that there’s been significant progress in your life? Sometimes, it may be a slow progression from our perspective, but in God’s eyes, it’s the perfect timeline. We don’t have to measure our success based on the speed at which others operate. There will be people who may appear to have an advantage over us in several areas of life, but often, they may even feel the same way about us. Even if we counted all of it as a loss, it would be worth it if it were necessary to gain Jesus Christ in return (Philippians 3:8).

In any case, we don’t know what they sacrificed to get where they are. So, instead of staring at greener grass on their side of the fence, we should applaud the success of our peers and keep an eye on our lawn care instead. Their blessings don’t interfere with God’s timing for our blessings (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The mistake lies in spending too much time and effort focusing on their gains rather than our victory in Jesus Christ (Psalm 118:14).

Instead of spending excessive time on social media or daydreaming about those around us, we should be investing in God’s will for us. We should concentrate on the things above and navigate life with an eternal mindset (Colossians 3:2). There’s no superior way to conduct our lives than doing everything for God’s glory and our ultimate good. If we love God and He calls us according to His purpose, we know that God guarantees this outcome for eternity (Romans 8:28). Does that always pan out how we want to in this life? No, but that’s where our faith comes in. A faith that in and of itself is a gift from God to us (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

We cannot find fulfillment in the things of this world (1 John 2:17). Only in God and a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, can we find our anchor of hope (Hebrews 6:19-20). He is the sole source able to complete the gigantic, missing puzzle piece in our hearts (Psalm 107:9). Without Him, we have nothing and cannot produce anything of eternal value (John 15:5). With Him, we have everything, including the blessing of sharing eternity in heaven with Him forever (1 John 2:24-25)! If we try to find personal satisfaction in the limited things here on earth, we will always come up short (Ecclesiastes 1:14). 

Nothing can appease us in the long term without God being at the center (Psalm 16:11). Apart from God, people feed the insatiable appetites of their flesh, and unmet expectations abound. A man or woman of God knows they cannot find lasting joy, satisfaction, contentment, or blessings in this world apart from God (1 John 2:16). We cannot even discover it in the good things when we idolize them over God who provides every good and perfect gift in its time (James 1:17). Sometimes, God may not offer specific opportunities until we’re ready to handle them and steward them graciously. Otherwise, we may get lost in the blessing and lose sight of the bigger picture found in His plan (2 Peter 3:9).

We must be open to the idea that since God gives us everything, He also has the authority to take away anything at any time He pleases (Psalm 24:1; Job 1:21). However, we know His character is unchanging, and His promises are irrevocable (Hebrews 13:8). For instance, God is not taking away that eternal gift of fellowship He gave you through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). You don’t have to worry about losing your salvation if you have found it in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). But it would be tragic if that promise led you to backslide or compromise your faith at every turn (Romans 6:1-2). Instead, it should inspire us to do good works that glorify Him (Ephesians 2:10). We must cling tightly to God’s promises and understand that some are conditioned based on our obedience. We must also distinguish between principles and promises to avoid confusion, but that is beyond the scope of today’s article.

May God equip all of us to seek Him above all else. May we walk in the victory Jesus Christ already won. Jesus Christ is our forerunner in the faith. He fully understands the gravity of what we go through regarding every aspect of humanity, including our trials and temptations (Hebrews 6:19-20). He alone can empathize with us on the deepest level and comfort us in times of need. The One who bottles our tears and counts the hairs on our heads will not abandon or forsake us (Psalm 56:8-11; Luke 12:7; Hebrews 13:5). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. May we bring God glory in all our endeavors and submit to His will by aligning our desires with His (1 Corinthians 10:31).

We do not need to look any further than the example of Paul in Philippians. He wisely found satisfaction and joy in God rather than spend His time dwelling on his dire circumstance (Psalm 16:11). Paul found Himself in the equivalent of a dungeon. Yet by God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s lead, he shared the book of Philippians with us. Despite the imprisonment, Paul was rejoicing (Philippians 4:4), encouraging fellow believers to abstain from anxiety (Philippians 4:6), and filled with the peace of God (Philippians 4:7).

If we focus on things to be grateful for and trust God to provide what we lack, we arrive at a disposition of contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-10). But, of course, I am not advocating apathy or laziness. There is still a place to retain a certain degree of ambition. We should not merely sit back waiting for something to happen. Instead, we ought to be proactive about pursuing the dreams God has led us to while simultaneously finding satisfaction in our current situation. The key is to have such aspirations focused primarily on the things of God rather than the allures of the world (Psalm 63:1). Paul discovered that by making God his ultimate source of joy, He could find contentment in all the situations he found himself in (Philippians 4:10-13). Jesus Christ strengthened him to endure hardship and meditate on the things that carried an eternal significance (Philippians 4:8-9).

When we are grateful, it also puts us in a position to worship God. At that moment of thanksgiving, we often gravitate toward acknowledging the generosity of God in our lives. I like to thank God for everything from the smallest of material blessings to the largest of spiritual ones and everything in between. For instance, I am thankful for the keyboard I utilize to write Biblical-based content like this, and I am eternally grateful for my relationship with Jesus Christ. These are blessings that God chose to provide me, and being thankful to Him for them shows Him that I recognize His countless gifts in my life.

The correlation between gratitude and humility is also vital to understand. Without God, we can do nothing of eternal significance. God empowers us to bear fruit only in, with, and through Jesus Christ (John 15:5). Such a reality should lead us to always rely on God and thank Him in the process. Our calling is to glorify God, and we must trust Him to supply our needs. It should be intuitive to avoid taking for granted when God meets those needs. Instead of allowing entitlement to take root, we must humble ourselves before our Maker (Matthew 23:12). Gratitude and humility will lead us to adopt a perspective of appreciation toward God no matter our challenges.

It is dangerous to think so highly of oneself to the point where we believe we are self-sufficient (Romans 12:3). We are more vulnerable than we would like to admit. This meekness is often an attribute of those whom God will lovingly choose to carry out His work (1 Corinthians 1:27). God will strengthen us to overcome our weaknesses and give Him all the glory for it (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Thank God for filling the gap between our shortcomings and accomplishing His will for us. If you put Him first in your life, you will remain at the center of His will. May God continue to help us surrender to His sovereignty in more and more aspects of our lives as we remain grateful for His providence (Luke 1:52).

While God’s ways may be mysterious, He reveals facets of His character, desires, and promises throughout scripture. Moreover, those of us who are believers are in the process of sanctification (Hebrews 10:14, 1 Corinthians 6:11). In other words, we are actively becoming more like Jesus Christ over our lifespan since we came to saving faith. Linking these two realities together sheds light on why we should pay attention keenly when scripture teaches us these things. We get to know God more intimately and learn what He desires we do by following the example of Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:20). The more we learn about who God is, the more confidence we will have in taking action as ambassadors of Jesus Christ throughout our lives (2 Corinthians 5:20). Since we also know God does not change His mind, we can take solace in the fact that He will keep His promises to us (Numbers 23:19).

Interestingly, God withholds segments of His plan from all of us. However, since we know that His agenda simultaneously maximizes His glory and the good of His children, there is no need to worry when we do not understand what He is doing (Romans 8:28). It is critical to remember that He operates on an eternal timetable, which can sometimes make better sense of our circumstances. God does not promise a life free of problems, challenges, turmoil, or trials. Jesus Christ warns us if the world hated Him, it would also hate us. (John 15:18-25). Thankfully, Jesus Christ also overcame the world and offers us peace even amid trouble and tribulation. In turn, this should inspire us to feel encouraged and find the motivation in Him to even be of good cheer in the process (John 16:33)!

Ultimately, God reveals and withholds things from us at His discretion (Proverbs 3:5-6). Several times in my life, I may have been daunted and not followed through if God had given me the fully revealed blueprint of what would come. It can be intimidating or even paralyzing to have a tremendous mountain to climb ahead of us. Instead, we should only focus on taking each step forward one at a time. We will find it much easier to manage and take ample time to seek God’s will at every crucial juncture (Jeremiah 29:13). In turn, He will also bless us with the rest we need to persevere when we come to Him for help (Matthew 11:28-30). You and I do ourselves a tremendous favor to heed the following advice as well:

“34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)

If we refrain from worry, we will better equip ourselves to tackle life’s numerous challenges in light of this Biblical principle. Conversely, when we preoccupy ourselves with the past or overly dwell on the future, we rob ourselves of the ability to maximize the present. Enjoying the journey, being fully engaged in what is in front of us, and staying focused on our current circumstances will ensure that we do not take anything for granted. Practicing mindfulness like this will give you many advantages and remind you to appreciate the opportunities right before you! After all, not a day is promised to us, and it is critical to redeem the time for God’s glory (James 4:13-14, Ephesians 5:16-18). 

I would recommend balancing the discipline of abstaining from worry whenever possible with occasional reflection on the past to learn from mistakes and actively make reasonable plans for the future. After all, there is a significant difference between reflecting on prior events and obsessing about them. Likewise, there is a distinction between being consumed by future possibilities and setting expectations or making general goals for the life you want to achieve. However, we must always be adaptable because God is our vessel’s captain, and we must prepare for the unpredictable seas ahead (Proverbs 16:9, Jeremiah 29:11).

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

• Corrie Ten Boom

One possible consideration is that God might be preparing our character (Ephesians 2:10). Facing trials may put the kind of pressure on us that we have never dealt with before. When you and I find ourselves in a situation where we must confront such obstacles, God provokes us to step out in faith. Sure, we could choose to be angry at God, throw a pity party, and give up. However, God knows we can mourn the loss, draw nearer to Him, and rely on Him to overcome the seemingly impossible instead (Proverbs 3:5-6). If we never came across this kind of testing in life, we might come to a point where we are too comfortable (James 1:2-8). Extreme comfort can breed complacency and lack of purpose, neither of which we ought to desire. In these times, we need to take refuge under the shelter of our unchanging (Hebrews 13:8), omnipotent (Revelation 19:6), omniscient (Psalm 147:5), and omnipresent God (Psalm 91:1-4). We need to remember His promises to us and seek Him whole-heartedly (Jeremiah 29:13), knowing that He would not allow anything to transpire that didn’t work out for His eternal glory and our eternal good (Romans 8:28).

Sometimes the difficulty is far less dramatic but still substantial enough to lead us to our knees. Maybe your best friend since childhood moved away, or you had a rough week at work. Indeed, we could try to handle these issues on our strength, but why not bring them to God first? We should pray for wisdom and discernment when we have a significant decision, but we do not have an obvious answer. Life will throw us all curveballs. It is only a matter of time before we face the next one. 

If we have faith in God, how can we justify not bringing such matters to His attention right away? He knew what was coming, when it was coming, and how it would transpire. It is up to us to recognize that while God is sovereign, He has divinely orchestrated everything to happen in a way that takes prayers and individual accountability into consideration. You and I should not be discouraged from seeking God simply because we know He has it all under control. Remember, God not only wants to further our relationship with Him through our sole Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5-6), Jesus Christ, but He also desires us to align with His will willingly. What better way to do that than to reach out to Him and share our concerns transparently?

There are instances where God calls us to shift in direction. Occasionally, friends may draw closer or further away. Alternatively, people might come or go from your life altogether. Perhaps, He might lead you to transition away from a workplace or close a door you assumed would be open forever. At times these kinds of adjustments may be pretty intimidating. Especially when we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, facing unexpected tasks, and few allies we can trust whole-heartedly. 

It makes sense for us to seek God first and foremost in all circumstances and every area, but nothing drives us quite as quickly to our knees as these kinds of issues. Thankfully, we can trust God and even validate His faithfulness to us in our shared history with Him. Most of us need not look back too far if we are paying attention to see how God has never let us down or forgotten us (Hebrews 13:5). He might have allowed certain things seem not to have gone our way from our finite perspective. However, if we knew what God knows in His infinite wisdom, we would most certainly recognize His reasoning. If we saw the vision, eternal value, and purpose He has for things, it would not even cross our minds to question Him.

We need to step into the faith zone with God continually. No matter where you are, what you are coping with, or how far you still have to go, God will remain unchanging in the life of a believer (James 1:17, Malachi 3:6). His Word is a timeless resource and will always remain a written testament to His glory. The same way He was faithful in the lives of our forefathers who came before, He will stay so with us. God is not in the business of letting us down, and all the things we think are setbacks in one form or another point to a greater purpose in His plans from an eternal vantage point. May we faithfully and humbly pursue His will to bring Him glory accordingly and remember that His ways are always superior to our own (1 Peter 4:7-11).