Four reasons we fail to live according to God’s plan

First things first: do you believe you are living the life God planned for you?

If you’re anything like me then you’re quick to quote Jeremiah 29:11, a beloved scripture that reminds us that God has a future and a plan for his children.

But do we actively seek to know and live this plan?

Not always…

I can’t count the number of times I shied away from doing the things I felt led to do. Things I avoided due to some of the reasons I will be sharing in this post.

So why do we fail to live the life God has for us? What are those things that continually stop us from living a life of more?

I like to think there are four main things:

Four reasons why we don’t live according to God’s plan

1. Fear

Fear is the biggest obstacle to a purpose-driven life. This explains why the Bible is filled with so many verses where God was reminding his children ‘not to be afraid.’

Fear cripples us, it stops us from venturing forth, and it clouds our faith and our sight.

This may be the fear of failure, a fear of the unknown, or a fear of missing out on the world’s allure if we go God’s way.

Remember King Saul?

He had been so focused on what people would say that this fear stopped him from obeying God’s commands.

 

2. Comparison

Ah! This is a big one.

I like to think of comparison as the Achilles heel of most women. We struggle with the green eyes of envy, the long talons of jealousy, and the wide girth of covetousness.

We want what others have and often fail to acknowledge or be grateful for our lot in life. Are you currently struggling with comparison? Here are some helpful resources here and here.

 

 

3. Procrastination

One of the easiest things to do is to tell ourselves that we will do better tomorrow. It is so easy to justify why we cannot act today, why tomorrow will always be a better opportunity to live the life God has for us.

And you know the funny thing about tomorrow? It is always in the future, ‘tomorrow never comes.’

 

4. Uncertainty

Sometimes, we just don’t know what God wants for us. We pray we fast, and we look in the word, but our life path remains shrouded in mystery. We remain uncertain as to what to do and how to go about it.

I think most Christians have been here at one time or another.

A different way to go – how to live the life God has for you

There are two weapons for every Christian: the word and the Spirit

The word of God is the foundation of the Christian life, while the Holy Spirit gives us the power to actualize God’s word in our lives.

You need both to live the kingdom life.

We can combat fear, comparison, laziness, and uncertainty with the word. But this will usually not happen overnight. It will be a continuous journey of meditating on God’s word and surrendering to the power of the Holy Spirit to empower and strengthen us.

Here are seven scriptures to meditate on today:

Trust that God is guiding you:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Do the God thing:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent and praiseworthy – think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be confirmed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Romans 12:1-2(NJKV)

Express His will

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Galatians 5:22(NLT)

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.”

Philippians 2:13(NIV)

Do it all with Him

I am the vine you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5(NKJV)

His plan is for your good

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28(NKJV)