After going through a very difficult situation, a well meaning Christian woman looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Well it was God’s will that that happened to you.”

I remember feeling stunned. I was hurting, I felt betrayed and now I hear that this was God’s will? What kind of God would want me to suffer?

This occurred many years ago and her words have rung in my ears ever since.

How do we know what God’s will is?

I believe that the only way to truly know God’s will is by getting to know God. And we can do that:

through prayer.
by searching the scriptures
listening to the Holy Spirit, and
seeking confirmation from wise and Godly people

It’s through drawing near to God that God’s guidance and direction becomes evident.

So after doing all of the above, I believe the dear woman had it wrong. It was not God’s will for that situation to occur. It was not God’s will for me to be abused and hurt by another. However, what was true was that God was in the midst to carry me through, to direct me and to put me back on level ground. The adversity forced me to grow and to lean more on God, that was clear but what occurred was not of God.

So what would my response be? I found myself crying out to God. I needed strength and God’s wisdom to handle this situation. I wanted to do God’s will even though I knew it would be hard. Psalm 143:10 was a powerful verse for me:

Teach me to do your will, because you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on level ground.

The Psalmist is praying for God’s divine direction and God’s guidance. I found myself doing the same.

“You are my God” the Psalmist declares. I love how this expression shows us the intimate relationship the psalmist has with God. A relationship that I too desire.

What would happen in your life if you asked God to guide you, to direct your step, to correct you? I believe that God will do for you what God did for me…that God’s spirit would lead you on level ground.