His Will or Mine?

Have you ever wondered why sometimes things simply do not go your way?

Sometimes, the answer may lie in the difference between our expectations and our preparation. Have you taken quality time to prepare for what you desire? Have you researched, planned, prayed, and sought God’s direction? Or do you simply expect that somehow everything will turn out okay?

The Bible reminds us:

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”

 Proverbs 21:5 (NKJV)

Preparation matters. Planning matters. But seeking God’s will matters.

We may make wonderful plans for ourselves, but Scripture tells us:

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

 Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

What Seeds Are You Sowing?

Have you ever considered the message behind the song Show a Little Kindness? It speaks about seeing someone struggling beneath a heavy load resulting from the seeds they have sown.

That thought caught my attention: What kind of seeds are we sowing?

Could they be seeds of carelessness, lack of preparation, impatience, pride, disobedience, or perhaps sin?

Sometimes we find ourselves dealing with the consequences of decisions we made without adequate preparation. Perhaps we rushed ahead, failed to seek wise counsel, didn’t pray about the decision, or simply did what we wanted rather than asking what God wanted.

The Bible warns us:

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

— Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)

Our choices have consequences.

There may be times when we have to live through the consequences of seeds we planted yesterday. But that does not mean that God has abandoned us today.

His Will or Mine?

Perhaps the more important question is not simply, “How did I get here?”

The question may now be:

“Lord, what is Your will for me from here?”

You may have made mistakes. You may have taken a wrong turn. You may even be living with the consequences of a decision that you now deeply regret.

But have you considered what the will of the Lord is for you even now that you have found yourself in this situation?

The Bible says:

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

— Isaiah 55:6–7 (NKJV)

What a wonderful promise!

God says He will abundantly pardon.

Therefore, instead of remaining trapped in regret, guilt, disappointment, or self-condemnation, return to God. Seek His face. Ask Him what He wants you to learn and what He wants you to do next.

It is never too late to begin walking in His will.

Trust God Instead of Your Own Understanding

Sometimes we make decisions because they seem right to us. We calculate everything according to what we can see, feel, or understand.

But God sees what we cannot see.

That is why Scripture tells us:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

— Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV)

Before making that important decision, ask God.

Before entering that relationship, ask God.

Before taking that opportunity, ask God.

Before walking away, ask God.

Before saying yes—or no—ask God.

Prayer should not merely be something we do after our plans have gone wrong. Prayer should be part of the process through which our plans are formed.

Jesus Himself demonstrated this attitude when He prayed:

“Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

— Luke 22:42 (NKJV)

That is one of the greatest prayers we can learn to pray:

“Lord, not merely what I want, but what You want for me.”

There Is Still Hope

Perhaps you are reading this and thinking, “But I have already made the wrong decision. What happens now?”

There is still hope.

God cares for you.

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

— 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

Cheer up. Even if you have found yourself in an unpleasant situation, the Word of God remains true.

Scripture says:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

— Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Notice that the Bible does not say that all things are good. Some experiences are painful. Some consequences are difficult. Some situations are the result of poor choices, while others arise through circumstances beyond our control.

But God is able to work through all things for good when we surrender ourselves to Him and walk according to His purpose.

He can give wisdom where there was once confusion.

He can bring maturity out of mistakes.

He can restore what appears broken.

He can redirect a life that has wandered from His path.

As the Bible says:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

— Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

Start Again With God

So, my friend, there is hope for you.

Do not spend the rest of your life staring at yesterday’s seeds. Begin considering what you are sowing today.

Sow prayer.

Sow wisdom.

Sow patience.

Sow obedience.

Sow kindness.

Sow diligence.

Sow the Word of God into your heart.

And above all, seek the will of God.

Perhaps today you need to stop asking:

“Lord, why didn’t things work out the way I wanted?”

And begin asking:

“Lord, what do You want me to do from here?”

David prayed:

“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.”

— Psalm 143:10 (NKJV)

Let that become our prayer too.

Father, teach me to do Your will. Help me not to run ahead of You or depend entirely upon my own understanding. Give me wisdom to prepare properly, patience to wait when I need to wait, and courage to obey when You tell me to move. Where I have made mistakes, forgive me and redirect my steps. Help me to sow seeds today that will produce godly fruit tomorrow. Above everything else, let Your will—not merely mine—be done in my life and in my family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

His will or mine?

May we increasingly learn to answer:

“Lord, let Your will be done.”