Stop Stressing Over God’s Will. You’re Allowed to Want Things
Ever feel like you’re stuck in a divine guessing game, like there’s one perfect, God-ordained choice out there and if you don’t pick it, you’re toast? That there’s a narrow path of “God’s will” you’d better find and follow, or else? I’ve been there.
It’s like we imagine God pacing the halls of heaven, arms crossed, waiting to see if we pick Choice A, B, C, or D—and only one leads to blessing, while the others lead to failure, disappointment, or life outside His will. No pressure, right?
But here’s the truth: that mindset isn’t freedom, it’s fear, and it smells a lot like the religious thinking born in the Garden.
Remember the serpent’s pitch to Adam and Eve, “Your eyes will be open and you’ll be able to know good from evil” Instantly they stepped out of relationship and into performance anxiety. They stopped walking with God and started scrambling to figure out what He was thinking. They traded trust for control…and since then, we’ve been biting the apple again and again.
But Jesus flipped the script.
When you live surrendered to Jesus, when you abide in Him and let Him shape your heart, something amazing happens: He trusts you back. The desires rising up inside you aren’t distractions—they’re breadcrumbs leading you toward your Kingdom purpose.
Psalm 37:4 says it loud and clear:
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
That doesn’t mean He rubber-stamps whatever your flesh wants, it means when you delight in Him, He literally shapes your desires. That holy craving to launch a business, write a book, move to a new city, mentor someone, start a surf ministry. Those aren’t distractions, they’re invitations.
Even Proverbs acknowledges this. Listen to the Passion Translation of Proverbs 16:26:
“Life motivation comes from the deep longings of the heart, and the passion to see them fulfilled urges you onward.”
That’s Kingdom wisdom. It says your longings aren’t random, they’re powerful, God-placed motivators. There is wisdom in your want when you’re walking in relationship with Him.
You are a son, you are a daughter. You’re not a slave to a taskmaster or a pawn in a cosmic puzzle. You have agency. You have options. You have permission to dream.
Romans 12:2 reinforces this:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Notice that phrase: His will is good, acceptable, perfect. That doesn’t sound like a single narrow box, it sounds like a playground of purpose, meant for co-labor, not fear. And the choices you make every day aren’t about stepping into or out of His will. They’re about stewarding the time you’ve been given, the tasks He’s entrusted you with, and the team He’s put around you.
• Choose what to focus on today and trust that He’ll guide you.
• Choose the rhythm and pace that fits your season without worrying that He’s tapping His foot impatiently.
• Choose the people you align with—knowing He’s delighted in them too.
When your heart is His, any of those paths can be holy ground.
This isn’t a cop-out. It’s much better than “do whatever you want and ask God to bless it.” It’s a different paradigm altogether: Trust, surrender, delight…then lean in with boldness.
God’s will is not a riddle you have to crack, it’s more like an invitation to a heart posture of seeking. He’s walking alongside you as a Father thrilled that you’re dreaming. And the more you trust His voice the more you’ll find your dreams and His aren’t at odds, they’re in sync.
Today …Refuse the fear and start walking like the free, loved, trusted, creative child of God you are.
Freedom isn’t dangerous when you’re surrendered, it’s what you were made for
You’re walking with a Father who trusts you. He gave you His Spirit, not a GPS. You’re invited into adventure
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