Is this God's will, or am I sabotaging?

We have discussed in previous posts the importance of asking with real intent the question, "Why do I need this in my life?" when we are working on changing our present results. Another angle to consider when searching for the answer to this question is the question, "Is this God's will, or am I sabotaging his will?"

How Can I Know?
I have noticed that people with a deep desire to do God's will are sometimes a little too quick to assume that the garbage in their life is His will for them. This idea is most likely based in the truth that trials are an intentional part of our existence. Because we know this is true, we are sometimes too willing to embrace and hold on to negative experiences, perpetuating something that might not necessarily be His will for us any longer.

It is my belief that in most instances, God's will for us is to have good in our life. To have love, health, and prosperity. Many of the challenges that rock our world are there for no other reason than to move us more quickly into the good that He wants for us. At other times those challenges are there because we are sabotaging His will for us, and He allows us to do this. A third possibility is that we are to experience a challenge for most or all of our existence in order to progress in the way that is best suited to us.

It is imperative that we discover which of these scenarios is responsible for what is happening in our life. With this understanding, we can make better choices for moving through the challenge.

It takes honest and prayerful meditation to discover whether we are living God's will or sabotaging it. It is all too easy to look at our present results and assume that if God meant for them to be different, they would be. If God meant for me to have financial independence, I'd have been born with it. If He meant for me to have love, I'd have it. If He meant me to be well, I wouldn't be sick. Haven't I prayed for help? This must be His will for my life.

It is only through prayer, personal revelation and deeply honest introspection that we can come to the conclusion that we are meant to remain in a current challenge. Without that sacred witness, we must assume that what He wants is for us to learn from and move through the current lack in our life.

It takes courage to look deeply enough to discover the truth about sabotaging. Sabotaging is usually done out of fear-an attempt to protect ourselves. You may have to ponder what it is you are afraid of. Often when we use 'It's God's will' as an excuse, we are using it as a cop out from exercising faith.

If it isn't God's will that we remain in a current challenge, that of course means we will need to exercise faith for change. We may discover fears such as: What if I don't have enough faith? What if He won't help me? What if I fail? Once we honestly assess these fears and concerns we can begin, with God's help, to address and move through them.

Perhaps it feels presumptuous to you to assume that God might want more good for you in your life. As a parent, wouldn't you be pleased if your child fully engaged in a challenge with the purpose of learning what needed to be learned, mastered the skill, and moved on?

Also keep in mind that where much is given much is required. The reason He wants us to prosper is because there is so much work to do. God has work to do and wants us involved, laboring in His vineyard.

From this perspective, this good in our life is a means to an end, not the end itself. If we are stable financially, physically healthy, and existing in fulfilling relationships, how much better are we able to do His work than if we are not? Of course this is what He wants for us.

To Engage or To Release?
Once we have determined whether the challenge we are dealing with is evidence of our own sabotage or God's will for our growth, we will know how to proceed.

If we discover that this challenge is no longer what God wants for us, it's time to 'release that which we no longer need' (Louise Hay, You Can Heal Your Life) and start affirming truth in our lives. We may need to work on issues of deserving. We may need to overcome false beliefs such as 'there isn't enough' or 'it's too hard' or 'it's not safe'.

Realize that if we really believed that what we are striving for was in our best good, we would already have it. We must change those inner beliefs to be in accordance with God's will. We can use visualization techniques, we can work with a counselor. Keep a vision of where you feel God wants your life to be and solutions will open up to you. Be patient, with time you will see progress.

If, however, you feel that this trial is something God has helped place in your life, then it's time to engage. Ponder, pray, explore, examine, study. Think of it as a wave and you are the surfer who's trying to catch it. Ride it as far as it can take you.

Resist berating yourself for where you are at. Be grateful for the opportunity because this is evidence that God feels you are ready for growth and change. Accept the feelings and reactions you have with patience and love. They are coming to the surface because it's time to grow through them.

When you have times of doubt, think back on the time when you felt an understanding for His will in your life. He won't leave you alone through this period of growth. He knows and wants what is for your best good.