As Christians, we’re often told to surrender our desires to God, but how do we do this in a world constantly telling us to follow our hearts?
It can be challenging to align our desires with God’s plan, especially when our personal ambitions are so big. It’s when we learn to center our desires around God’s purpose, that we can accept His peace that surpasses all understanding and a deep fulfillment that the world won’t be able to provide.
In this post, we’ll explore how to discern God’s purpose for your life and realign your desires to reflect His will. By looking at Scripture, we’ll find practical steps to surrender your desires to God and live out His purpose.
The Struggle Between Our Desires and God’s Will
From the moment sin entered the world, humans have wrestled with the tension between their desires and God’s commands. In Genesis 3, we read about Eve’s desire for the forbidden fruit. Her desire was outside of God’s will for her. Like Eve, we often desire good things, but when those things are found outside of God’s plan, they can lead us astray.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.“
Proverbs 19:21
This verse highlights the reality that while we have countless desires and ambitions, God’s purpose is the only one that will come to fruition. The question we are left with is: how do we align our desires with God’s purpose?
Our Hearts Are Deceitful
It’s important to recognize that our hearts can mislead us. Our emotions and desires can cloud our judgment, making it difficult to distinguish between what we want and what God has planned for us.
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Jeremiah 17:9
Sometimes, we might think, “If I just follow my heart, everything will turn out right, and I’ll end up where I’m meant to be.” However, Scripture challenges this notion. Instead, we’re called to follow God’s heart. But what does that look like practically?
Practical Steps to Align Yourself with God’s Will
Step 1: Seek God’s Kingdom First
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33
When Jesus was teaching His disciples about worry and the daily concerns of life, which are a guarantee, He provided a solution that surpasses our anxieties.
The key here is the order: seek God’s kingdom first. Too often, we make the mistake of chasing after our desires first, expecting God to bless them. When we prioritize God’s purpose, He aligns our desires with His will, and everything else falls into place.
Practical Step:
Take some time to reflect on your current desires. Are they centered on God’s kingdom? Consider what it would look like to seek His kingdom in your daily life. Maybe it’s devoting more time to prayer, serving others with more generosity, or simply asking God to reveal His purpose for you in specific situations.
Step 2: Understand God’s Purpose for Your Life
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8
It’s not always easy to discern God’s big purpose for your life. However, scripture gives us a foundational understanding of what God’s general purpose is for all believers.
This verse highlights three central actions:
- Act justly: Live in a way that reflects God’s justice and righteousness.
- Love generously: Show compassion and kindness to others, as Christ has shown to us.
- Walk humbly with God: Cultivate a relationship of humility and dependence on the Lord.
Though God’s specific purpose for each person is unique, these three principles form a foundation for all of us. If you are wondering what God wants from you, start with Micah 6:8. Then, ask Him to reveal the unique ways He has called you to live out these commands.
The Role of Spiritual Gifts
In addition to these general principles, God equips each of us with specific spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. … Now to each one the manifestation of the spirit is given for the common good.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Discovering your spiritual gifts is one way to discern your unique purpose in this life. These gifts—whether teaching, serving, giving, or leading—help point you toward God’s purpose for your life.
Read More: How to Cultivate the Fruits of the Spirit as a Wife and Mother
Practical Step:
If you’re unsure what your spiritual gifts are, consider taking a spiritual gifts assessment or asking trusted friends and mentors to help you identify them. Pray for God to reveal how He wants you to use those gifts to further His kingdom.
Step 3: Surrender Your Desires to God
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Surrender is almost always the hardest part of aligning our desires with God’s purpose. We hold on tightly to our dreams, ambitions, and plans, fearing that letting go will mean losing something important. But surrendering to God doesn’t mean giving up on your desires—it means placing them in His hands and trusting Him. It’s our job to trust Him and His job to follow through.
When you surrender your desires to God, you acknowledge that His wisdom far exceeds your own. You invite Him to guide your path, even if it means letting go of your original plans.
Practical Ways to Surrender
- Pray for God’s Will: Make it a habit to pray that God’s will would be done in your life, rather than insisting on your own desires. Pray for discernment, patience, and trust.
- Release Control: Identify areas of your life where you’re trying to maintain control. Ask God to help you release those areas to Him, whether it’s a career decision, a relationship, or your future plans.
- Stay in Scripture: God speaks to us through His Word. The more time you spend in Scripture, the more your desires will align with His purpose.
Step 4: Embrace God’s Timing
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Even when we’ve surrendered our desires to God, it can be difficult to wait for His timing. We live in a fast-paced world where waiting often feels like wasting time.
God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t align with our own. In waiting, God often grows our faith, teaching us to depend on Him and trust in His plans. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Read More: 10 Scriptures To Find God’s Purpose For Your Life
The Gift of Patience
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that God often cultivates in us during seasons of waiting. When we embrace God’s timing, we learn to rest in His peace, trusting that He is working behind the scenes, even when we don’t see immediate results.
Practical Step:
Consider where you might be resisting God’s timing in your life. Are there areas where you’re trying to rush the process? Pray for the patience to wait on God’s perfect timing and for the faith to trust Him in the waiting.
Final Thoughts
When we center our desires around God’s purpose, we align ourselves with the Creator of the universe, who knows us better than we know ourselves. By seeking His kingdom first, understanding His general purpose, surrendering our desires, and embracing His timing, we position ourselves to live lives that are fulfilling and full of joy.
If you want to deepen your prayer life and seek God’s purpose more intentionally, I encourage you to focus on your prayers. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more biblical insights and resources.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
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