Some people are born with natural gifting and know precisely what they should do their whole life; this is true for my oldest son. Those people are few and far between. One day, when he was five, he said, “I want to be a lawyer.” In a few days, I expected that he would say he wanted to be a fireman or truck driver, but he never did.
Then I expected him to have changed his mind when he went to college or during his undergrad years, but he never did. Today he is a practicing lawyer and loves his job.
After much trial and error, most people find out later in life what their purpose is. My younger son followed this circuitous path. He had many interests and was good at several things, making it more difficult to determine his life purpose. He often felt something was wrong with him because he didn’t know what he was created to do. I had many talks with him, explaining that his brother was more of an anomaly than he was. Those that take longer to realize their purpose find comfort in Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV). If taken in context, what God promised to do in the passage wasn’t all that God had promised to do. It’s not all that God is promising us, either. The promise is not that we would be protected from the bad stuff but that God would prosper us spiritually through the trials and give us hope and a future.
Genesis 37-50 tells us about Joseph’s life. Joseph endured much pain and suffering from his brothers and an Egyptian master. Joseph’s life had some highs and lows, but God was with him. We don’t go through this Christian life without some trials and tribulations. Peter tells us, “do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you.” (I Peter 4:12 NIV) When trials hit our lives, we know we can trust God because He is sovereign. He holds our future in His hands.
The future can be nebulous and confusing. Don’t let doubt creep into your heart and cause uncertainty. Take all your questions and concerns to God. He knows your future and is pleased you want to be in His will enough to think and pray about it. He wants you to come to Him so that He can orchestrate your steps. The psalmist tells us, “A man’s heart deviseth his way. But the Lord directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 KJV)
Ways to help your doubting heart:
- Understand that a doubting heart is a sign of spiritual growth to deepen your faith. Working through doubt and coming out victorious will increase your faith.
- Be ready to have only some of the answers. Our faith and trust in God grow in waiting on God.
- Don’t major in minor things. Focus on the big picture of God and His purposes; secondary issues have no place here.
Often in our doubting, God has a purpose and a plan, be open to what God is teaching and doing in your life.
