God, what is Your Will for me?

One question I find myself asking God more often than any other question is “What is your Will for me?” This is a great question but too often or more like I always seem to miss His answer. An answer that is right in front of me. The current Bible Study I am reading through “In His Image” has been amazing at shining a light right on the answer God gives all throughout His Word (Bible). “For this is the will of God, your sanctification (to be made pure & holy)...For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3,7 Take time to camp out on that scripture. Journal about it a bit because it’s key to our purpose here on earth as we navigate the rough waters and fiery obstacles we all endure. After pondering on this myself, it started to become a little more clear. As we walk out this calling to be pure and holy by cooperating with God as He sanctifies or purifies us, we will automatically be doing His Will. It will naturally flow out of a life lived according to His plan...His plan for us to be pure in heart/motive. So why do we fight God constantly as He tries to sanctify us? Because it’s a painful process! Another term used for this process is “refiners fire”. To fully grasp this process and our purpose here on earth it helps to look at the process of refining silver and gold or the process of turning coal into a diamond. The heat must be turned up just high enough to remove all impurities but not so high that it destroys. Two scripture come to mind that remind me that God doesn’t test us and refine us with the intent to cause us to crumble or fail, He does all He can to help us endure the process and come out on the other side a beautiful masterpiece: 1. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”?2 Corinthians 4:8-9 2. ”He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 So, in a world where we are taught to seek happiness at all cost, which is the very thing that is making us crazy, we must come to the understanding that true lasting purpose, peace and joy cannot be found apart from God’s plan for us. His ultimate purpose for us on this planet is to be made Holy through His perfect purification/sanctification process. We can either fight that or accept it but either way it doesn’t change His purpose. So yes, trials are to be expected...no wonder this life is hard and it explains why Paul tells us “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12) We’ve been taught to fear trials and pain, but without them we will not grow. Therefore, instead of listening to the world that tells us discomfort is the enemy and trials are something to fear, begin to find comfort and peace in the fact that the fiery trials are part of Gods perfect plan. “...be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 When we start the day knowing & expecting the purification process, we begin to understand and long for time with God. Time to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-19) to better prepare for the day...as a warrior not a victim!