Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope the season is going along well for you. I have several blogs coming throughout the month that I pray will bring you comfort and joy.

Even though we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, life still goes on during the season, and Jesus understands that. He came humbly, entirely dependent, and in need of everything we need (Philippians 2).

People have pain, debt, illness, divorce, hunger, and many other draining and discouraging circumstances that happen in December. As bad as those are, I can’t think of anything worse than living outside of God’s plan for me. I’ve done it before, and it is the worst pain and regret.

So, today, I wonder if some of you are reflecting on your lives. You are enjoying the Christmas season, perhaps, but simultaneously you wonder about a new year close on our heels. Maybe you are wondering whether you need to make changes before 2025 ends so you can start fresh next year.

Whatever your personal situation, my mind is on those who love the Lord but are settling for less than His best right now.

It happens. When it does, typically, you are following your own thoughts and insecurities. You are telling yourself things to make your plan seem right. It is important to be aware of your thoughts. As I say often, “Your thoughts lead you places.”

The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and one way he does that in Christians is through compromise. Your ideas and plans aren’t outwardly full of sin, but they may not be God’s plan for you. That is how we miss the mark, and that is sin. It hurts God’s heart when we are more willing to follow our plan over His.

The path to certainty of God’s plan for you is surrender. Then you ask Him for a willing heart to do what His plan is. When you do this, you move from doubt to faith; from self-sufficiency to trust.

I know.

Lessons learned.

If that is you, maybe these thoughts will help you now!

12 Thoughts About God’s Will For Your Life:

• Don’t settle for less than God’s best.

• Let your worst decisions as a Christian teach you now.

• Don’t let your past sins define you. Those are forgiven. They don’t define God’s plan for you now.

• Be willing to let go of GOOD for His BEST. What is His best? It is His plan.

• Ask yourself if you enjoy your friendship with God, or if He is getting in the way? We don’t like to acknowledge that we can think thoughts like this. But that is pride. Again, most often we are thinking about our plans.

• Quit telling yourself that what you are about to choose is way better than how you thought your life would turn out. That’s dangerous. God saw you when your life was on a path of destruction. He is the One who got your attention. He turned you around. That is a story intended to keep you humble so that you will follow Him.

• Be willing to offer everything to God, and let Him speak to you and guide you through His Word. And Wait. Let God confirm any plan through His Word. God will never confirm sin, compromise, or anything that goes against His Word.

• What are you willing to do for someone else? Why? We don’t see the harm in our plan. Often, God’s plan is very close. You might know it now. You don’t like it. It has a cost. It’s uncomfortable. You are stalling.

• Not living in God’s will has a much higher cost.
• If God is silent now, it could be because you are doing all the talking. 

• His plan always lines up with His Word. If at any point your plan doesn’t, it is an indicator to let go of your plan.

• Don’t settle for less. Yes, it is worth repeating. You see, God has a plan for YOUR life.

The best gift we can give Jesus during the Christmas season is our willing self. Are you willing to give up your plans? Are you willing to agree His way is right and let Him guide you? Are you willing to do whatever He asks? Yes, sometimes it hurts, but He will meet you in the pain. It is a good pain. It is adjusting your life to His plan. It is NOT the pain of regret and remorse.

You know what doesn’t hurt? Following His plan.

I hope this helps any Christian who is struggling now to slow down and ponder God’s plan for you. He will never leave you or forsake you. We’re the ones that do that! He is good. He is faithful, but He loves your faithfulness to Him. He is worthy of everything He asks.

PRAYER:

“Lord, I have lots of ideas, longings, and hopes. But you are my Master and My King. You reign. Help me, Lord, to want what you want for me. I agree that you have the best plan. Even though it hurts to let go of some good things, I trust you, Lord, that you want to build my life around Your Kingdom. That is best, and has eternal purpose! Please help me want to be part of your eternal plan, not my temporary, earthly plan. I am not here to build my kingdom. Help me, Lord. It is hard to let go of things and even people that I love. But I will do it for you. You will give me strength, and you will carry me, comfort me, and lead me if I will let you.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen~

©Valerie Rumfelt

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Psalm 16:2