Probably a dozen times I have had a room full of high school students where I gave them index cards and pencils, asked them to write down any questions they wanted, and I sat on a stool to answer the questions. Every single time, there are 3 questions that got asked:
How far can I go on a date before it is sin?
Is masturbation sin?
How can I know God’s will for my life?
The fact that these 3 are the universal questions of teenagers is another discussion, but I want to talk about question number 3 - What is God’s will for my life?
There are three New Testament passages that clearly name something as God’s will for you:
1 Peter 2:15 - “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3 - “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;...”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Again, I want to talk about number 3 - Rejoice, pray, and give thanks - continually and in all circumstances.
The Bible is the greatest book of psychological wisdom in the history of the world. And God gives this as His will for you, not only that you should practice obedience, but that you should be emotionally and mentally healthy.
Consider this approach as a strategy for soul-health in a COVID, division-rich, unpredictable time.
Rejoice always - “Be joyful; to enjoy a state of happiness and well being; to be glad”. This is a choice you can make and there is a great reason to make it - Jesus has redeemed you and the Father has adopted you into His family. The Lord is your Shepherd - you lack nothing!
Pray continually - Talk to your Father, in the name of the Son, all the time. Tell Him how you feel, what you are afraid of, how you see your enemies, and how great He is. Just talk to Him - like a child would freely talk to a loving Father.
Give thanks in all circumstances: There is much to be thankful for in every single circumstance. We don’t give thanks FOR our circumstances, but IN them. Why? Because in every circumstance, we find a faithful Father, an advocating Son, and an abiding Holy Spirit who are relentlessly committed to our good.
Try it today. Try it every day for 21 days. Establish the habit - and watch what happens to your general outlook and disposition in life.