What is God's will for my life?

(Stock photo.)

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

We are always asking the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” Well, God tells us what his will is plainly in the Scriptures: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Rejoice always: Take joy in knowing that God is sovereign, meaning that God is in the driver’s seat. He is the King, and his plans take precedence over all the plans of man, both the good and the bad. We can rejoice always because God is good and worthy of our trust, no matter what or where or when. God’s will (desire) for us to rejoice in him always!

Pray without ceasing: Without ceasing means without stopping. Over the years, many brothers and sisters have tried to discipline themselves to do this. To pray without ceasing is to simply live your life in constant communion with God. Take to him your problems as they arise. Talk with him like he was in the room with you. Whisper to him at work or play as if he was your best friend. He always has an open ear for his children.

Give thanks in all circumstances: A few years ago, my sister challenged me with this verse. We were in the NICU with our daughter for five weeks; then we had to go back when she was three months old for open-heart surgery. A few months after hers was completed, we had to take our son in for open-heart surgery. We were exhausted. And this was right at the beginning of COVID and the race riots of 2020. How could I give thanks for these circumstances? Notice we aren’t to give thanks for all circumstances, but in all circumstances. During all situations, we can and should be thankful that God is in our midst and be thankful that he is worthy of our trust and worship.

In all of these things, God desires our intimate, personal relationship with him through Christ. John 17:3 states, “This is eternal life: that they know you, the One True God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” God’s will for us is that we know him closely.


Lord, form us to your will. Make us to know you so closely that we rejoice always, talk with you always, and give thanks to you in all situations. Your will and desire for us to know you, to walk and talk with you. Give us grace in Christ to draw near to you – oh, so near to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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