“What is God’s will for me?” Most Christians ask this question at some point in their walk with God. I often hear people say, “If only I knew what God wanted me to do, I would do it.” In the midst of change, uncertainty, and making hard decisions, people sometimes simply want God to tell them what to do.
Just twelve days from the writing of this article, my younger sister unexpectedly passed away. Only thirty-eight years old, she was a healthy-looking, God-fearing, and very sweet person. She developed a cold, but was not recovering.
On Saturday, my father suspected her condition was worsening, so he took her to the doctor. In the hospital, they said she may be infected by COVID-19. After tests revealed that her oxygen level was low, they put her on oxygen. Until then, she was talking and behaving normally.
The next day, when her oxygen level failed to improve, she was anesthetized and put on a ventilator. By then, her COVID test report had come back positive. On Tuesday morning, her blood pressure fluctuated drastically from high to low. And by that afternoon, she was gone! In the space of four days, I lost my dear, beloved sister.
I could not believe it. How could a normal, healthy woman, one who was talking with such a positive attitude, and who was looking forward to the future, all of a sudden be gone?
None of her family members could even be with her at her last moments. She was isolated and heavily sedated, and we were not allowed to visit.
In that moment, we were all heartbroken. Nine years ago, we lost our only brother due to kidney failure. We three sisters were left. Now, all of a sudden, our youngest sister went to her heavenly home. Together with our grief-stricken parents, we could not comprehend what happened and how quickly it happened.
However, one thing kept coming to my mind. “God never makes mistakes.” This is true all the time. But how can I trust this truth when things happen so suddenly and it seems so unfair? “Your God is gracious,” He kept whispering in my ear. I know that He is a good God. His timing is perfect. His will is far greater than my will.
I started pondering, “What is God’s Will at this moment of grief?” Even as a believer, it is okay to grieve my family’s loss. When Jesus met Martha and Mary after their brother Lazarus died, Jesus wept (John 11:35). Asking a lot of questions is acceptable; it’s fine. This is part of the grieving cycle. But it is equally important to know what God’s Will is in this moment of death and sorrow. God gave me many insights and determinations in the midst of my grief, which I would like to share with you here.
First and foremost, God’s will is to let no one die in their sin, not knowing Him. The famous Bible verse, John 3:16 NIV, says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” And reading beyond this verse, we see that the next one says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”
God’s desire is for all people to believe in Him and be saved. Death is inevitable because of sin, but God wants us to live forever with Him. Anyone who dies without believing in God will spend their eternity in hell. But if anyone dies believing in Christ, then they will spend eternity with Him. This is a reality. Many people do not want to believe this fact, but the Bible is very clear about this. What, then, is God’s Will for us who are still alive?
He wants us to share this “Good News” with those who have not yet put their faith in Christ. God’s Will is for all the world to be saved. In order to be saved, one has to put his or her faith in Christ. And we who are still here on earth are responsible to share this Gospel with those who are not yet believers. Sharing the Gospel is a task for each believer; it is not designated to only the clergy.
Second, God’s will for us during our times of crisis is to lean on His understanding. Proverbs 6:5 NIV says, “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.” During this time of sorrow and pain, God gives us such comfort that no other person can give (Philippians 4:7). We should see things from a biblical perspective and not lean on our own limited understanding. Losing my younger sister so quickly has brought countless questions to my mind. But I have disciplined my thoughts and will not let those doubts overcome me because deep down in my heart, I know God has declared, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9 NIV).
Third, we all know that one day, we too will die. This Earth is our temporary home. We are chosen to live in eternity with our Creator, God. So, what is God’s Will regarding our life on Earth? We need to live responsibly. We are accountable to God. We are to live a life that is pleasing to God (Romans 12:1–2). We have been given so many examples in the Bible, of those who lived a God-fearing life.
Daniel is one of the classic examples. He lived a life of no compromise. He habitually prayed three times a day—not only because of crisis, but He also met God on a regular basis. He underwent innumerable trials, yet He never displeased God.
God’s Will for us as believers is that we, like Daniel, should live similarly non-compromised lives. We should seek God’s Will through the Bible, which clearly tells us what to do.
This is a very sad season for my family and me. But, we still strongly believe that His Will is far greater than our will and He can turn things for good. Romans 8:28 NIV says, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” We are to continuously and prayerfully come into His presence and see things from His point of view and trust that He will bring good even out of a bad situation (Philippians 4:6).
To God be the glory.
