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What Is God's Will for My Life?
Let’s face making decisions is hard—especially when it comes to the big stuff like, Should I marry this person? Am I in the wrong job? What should I do with my life? We know that God has a plan for us, but how are we supposed to know what that plan is?In What Is God’s Will for My Life?, bestselling author John Ortberg helps us If God’s will for my life is so important, why doesn’t he just tell me what it is? How can I learn to recognize God’s voice? If I miss God’s guidance on an important decision, am I stuck with “plan B” for the rest of my life? God does have a plan for your life! It’s time to discover what it is.
98 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 15, 2016
This is one of my all-time favorite books! If you have trouble making decisions, like I do, this book is a God-send! Truly, everyone should read it. I loved learning that in life, God isn't as much concerned with your life destination, as He is concerned about the person you are becoming.
August 15, 2022
Magaan na babasahin tungkol sa mabigat na decision-making life skill
Ang nabasa kong aklat ay ang Taglish na salin ni Jevrice Mariano. Natalakay nang magaan at malinaw ang puntong ang pagkatao natin ang mas mahalaga kaysa ang mga pangyayari sa buhay natin. Nirerekomenda ko ito sa mga kumakaharap ng desisyon tulad ng mga mag-aaral, manggagawa, magpapamilya, magnenegosyo, at iba pa.
Ang nabasa kong aklat ay ang Taglish na salin ni Jevrice Mariano. Natalakay nang magaan at malinaw ang puntong ang pagkatao natin ang mas mahalaga kaysa ang mga pangyayari sa buhay natin. Nirerekomenda ko ito sa mga kumakaharap ng desisyon tulad ng mga mag-aaral, manggagawa, magpapamilya, magnenegosyo, at iba pa.
May 5, 2016
Sober
Finally, a book about God that is understandable and down to earth no pun intended. Ortberg speaks with clarity and simplicity using bite size bible quotes that are easily digested.
Finally, a book about God that is understandable and down to earth no pun intended. Ortberg speaks with clarity and simplicity using bite size bible quotes that are easily digested.
December 14, 2016
Incredible read
As always, Ortberg gets to the heart of the matter. He speaks on the various ways humans so often try to 'divine' God's will and shows how those ways aren't really done in faith. Challenged my way of looking at this.
As always, Ortberg gets to the heart of the matter. He speaks on the various ways humans so often try to 'divine' God's will and shows how those ways aren't really done in faith. Challenged my way of looking at this.
July 10, 2023
This would be a good little book for those facing a big decision. It is a reminder that “God’s primary will for your life is not the circumstances you inhabit; it’s the person you become. God cares more about your character than your circumstances.
When looking in the Bible about God’s will for your life, you will only find passages about character growth and none about where you should live or what you should study.
• "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people."
(1 Peter 2:15, Esv)
• "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
'It is God's will that you should be sanctified." (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord." (Colossians
1:9-10)
• "Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise. ... Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." (Ephesians 5:15-17)
We are tempted to judge whether we are doing God’s will by whether or not we feel peace, but with characters in the Bible, peaceful feelings rarely come after following God.
Following God usually doesn’t look like this-
• Calling
• Deep Feeling of Peace about It
•Decision to Obey
• Smooth Sailing
It usually looks more like this-
• Calling
• Abiect Terror
• Decision to Obey
• Big Problems
• More Terror
•Second Thoughts
• Repeat Several Times
•Deeper Faith
The thoughts in this book could go along with the Parable of the Talents to talk about decisions, risk, and trust
When looking in the Bible about God’s will for your life, you will only find passages about character growth and none about where you should live or what you should study.
• "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people."
(1 Peter 2:15, Esv)
• "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
'It is God's will that you should be sanctified." (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord." (Colossians
1:9-10)
• "Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise. ... Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." (Ephesians 5:15-17)
We are tempted to judge whether we are doing God’s will by whether or not we feel peace, but with characters in the Bible, peaceful feelings rarely come after following God.
Following God usually doesn’t look like this-
• Calling
• Deep Feeling of Peace about It
•Decision to Obey
• Smooth Sailing
It usually looks more like this-
• Calling
• Abiect Terror
• Decision to Obey
• Big Problems
• More Terror
•Second Thoughts
• Repeat Several Times
•Deeper Faith
The thoughts in this book could go along with the Parable of the Talents to talk about decisions, risk, and trust
September 10, 2017
Packed full of wisdom!!! Let's not call it waiting on God, or seeking His will when what we really want is for Him to relive us of the responsibility of making a decision. God is in the business of redeeming bad decisions when we make them. God is in the business of forgiveness when we deliberately choose to go against him, if we truly repent. God is in the business of wisdom... If we ask for the wrong thing He ll say no. He doesn't need approval!
God is not in the business of making us happy or keeping us comfortable, wrapped in bubble wrap; he is in the business of making us better human beings and building our character. Because of that he wants us to Lear to make choices and sometimes he will let us make wrong choices, because this is how we learn. he will say no, and sometimes remain silent. God is not in the business of making things easy for us, but making us wise and doing what is right and just. I love the question "what if God the Father had said 'yes' to Jesus request at Getsemani to 'pass this bitter cup'?" It would have made Jesus comfortable...
Get to know Him closer, develop a genuine Relationship w Him (as with a close friend) so we can know His character & His voice better, what He would rather us do, but once we do, don't be afraid to make a choice. We must trust that if after doing our best to follow what we know of him we take a wrong turn, He will redeemed it and use it for something wonderful!
I feel so much braver about making my choices being reminded of this!
God is not in the business of making us happy or keeping us comfortable, wrapped in bubble wrap; he is in the business of making us better human beings and building our character. Because of that he wants us to Lear to make choices and sometimes he will let us make wrong choices, because this is how we learn. he will say no, and sometimes remain silent. God is not in the business of making things easy for us, but making us wise and doing what is right and just. I love the question "what if God the Father had said 'yes' to Jesus request at Getsemani to 'pass this bitter cup'?" It would have made Jesus comfortable...
Get to know Him closer, develop a genuine Relationship w Him (as with a close friend) so we can know His character & His voice better, what He would rather us do, but once we do, don't be afraid to make a choice. We must trust that if after doing our best to follow what we know of him we take a wrong turn, He will redeemed it and use it for something wonderful!
I feel so much braver about making my choices being reminded of this!
February 13, 2018
This book is an eye opener! We sometimes wait on God to tell us what to do. We are not robots, God has given us “FREE WILL” to decide. DECIDE! DO SOMETHING!
Making decisions is daunting. We’re scared to make mistakes and we end up stuck in a rut. We think God is after every CIRCUMSTANCE in our life (what school to go to in college, what job to take, where to live, who to marry etc). Yes, these are life changing questions BUT whatever it is that you decide what matters is THE PERSON YOU BECOME.
Will you become more faithful, hopeful and loving? The question to that answer is not dependent on your circumstance but on how you deal and trust God with every ups and downs of your decision.
Making decisions is daunting. We’re scared to make mistakes and we end up stuck in a rut. We think God is after every CIRCUMSTANCE in our life (what school to go to in college, what job to take, where to live, who to marry etc). Yes, these are life changing questions BUT whatever it is that you decide what matters is THE PERSON YOU BECOME.
Will you become more faithful, hopeful and loving? The question to that answer is not dependent on your circumstance but on how you deal and trust God with every ups and downs of your decision.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2026
An excellent short writing on decision making.
There's a paradox in the relationship between God's sovereignty and human free will, and this booklet gives practical advice using anecdotes and scripture on how to navigate big (and small) decisions.
"Very often God's will for you will be "I want you to decide" because decision making is an indispensable part of character formation. God is primarily in the character-forming business, not the circumstance-shaping business."
There's a paradox in the relationship between God's sovereignty and human free will, and this booklet gives practical advice using anecdotes and scripture on how to navigate big (and small) decisions.
"Very often God's will for you will be "I want you to decide" because decision making is an indispensable part of character formation. God is primarily in the character-forming business, not the circumstance-shaping business."
October 27, 2021
This is a short, simple but great book as it explore how we might seek to find God's will for our life. One point that really stood out for me is that God is more concern about our character than the actual decision we may especially in certain situation.
August 10, 2023
Loved this book. This is one of those books that should probably be read once per year to keep my life on the right track. Tons of bite size wisdom and practical advice packed into a very small package. Will be coming back to this one again.
May 21, 2018
Short, simple, direct, thought-provoking. Thought it might be a little hokey but some solid advice.
November 15, 2019
Gr
I enjoyed this a whole lot.The message,on God's will and our responsibilities,is clear,concise and compelling with a dash of humour.
I enjoyed this a whole lot.The message,on God's will and our responsibilities,is clear,concise and compelling with a dash of humour.
May 17, 2020
Great read!!!
This is a very gourd read and it makes you think on a higher level. I highly recommend this book.
This is a very gourd read and it makes you think on a higher level. I highly recommend this book.
June 26, 2025
Another great little mini book for another area I often struggle. I continue to love John’s works. I need to get the other book on this same topic he wrote
April 4, 2026
Great thoughts
Great quick read on a lot of bi questions and topics about discerning God's will for your life. A lot of great insight.
Great quick read on a lot of bi questions and topics about discerning God's will for your life. A lot of great insight.
September 28, 2022
practical and encouraging read
I’ve read many books about how to discover Gods will for my life and this is the best! I’ll finish my review later as I’m exhausted right now.
I’ve read many books about how to discover Gods will for my life and this is the best! I’ll finish my review later as I’m exhausted right now.
September 17, 2023
A great little book to help with discernment, your purpose and to grow your relationship with God!
March 11, 2017
I loved this book... my favorite quotes were...
"God's primary will for your life is not the circumstances you inhabit; it's the person you become"
"Developing the ability to be guided by God is more about consistent obedience than about spectacular discernment."
"God's primary will for your life is not the circumstances you inhabit; it's the person you become"
"Developing the ability to be guided by God is more about consistent obedience than about spectacular discernment."
February 6, 2017
Very helpful read. Just make a decision. God will be with you in whatever you decide.
September 14, 2016
Quick Read, Great Book I say, you can't go wrong with a John Ortberg book. I loved one of the things he says in the book, it's all about who we are and who we are becoming more than what we do. Maybe God cares more about us and our decision making, how we reach our decision more than the final outcome. Like any good father, he wants us to grow and mature and make good decisions.
September 5, 2024
I have not personally bought and given a book to people more frequently than this one. It’s exactly what anyone in a transitional period of their life needs. Praise God for this little book and fresh perspective.
September 29, 2016
Love
Love this book. Its good and very detailed and gives good scripture references. I would recommend this to anyone.
Thanks John!
Love this book. Its good and very detailed and gives good scripture references. I would recommend this to anyone.
Thanks John!
April 14, 2017
Inspirational and encouraging
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews