What happens when we know what God wants us to do, but it’s totally at odds with our own desires and preferences?
Sometimes it happens with small stuff, like if you really want that last donut but feel a distinct impression that God is saying to leave it for someone else. Other times it’s big stuff that impacts the whole direction of your life- a school or job or relationship decision where you feel God prompting you to do something contrary to your own wishes.
As Christians, Jesus is to be Lord of our lives, but how do we reconcile these feelings so we can obey God without resenting it? It comes down to having a heartfelt love for God. When you encounter those crossroads and you already love and trust God above all, it’s possible to choose His direction without any bitterness or regret, because
When we’re in a conflict and God is first, we will disregard, from the heart, our personal interest in favor of what will please Him. (excerpt from Feed The Seed & Meet The Need pt.3, by Dr. Chester C. Pipkin)
So the key here is to lay the groundwork for when those moments of decision come by really giving God first place in your heart. For example, have you ever had the experience of actually being happy to give something up for someone you love, just because you knew it would bless them? Like that hypothetical example about the last donut: it’s not hard to imagine leaving it for someone you care about without even a hint of resentment. Even deep down in our hearts, we can let go of our perceived “personal interests” for someone we truly love. This doesn’t just apply to trivial stuff. On the contrary, Jesus gave the ultimate example of this when He prayed before going to the cross,
saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42 NKJV)
He paid the ultimate price when He not only sacrificed His own preferences and desires but His very life in order to please the Father and do His will. In doing so, He also shows us how to do the same. By giving God first place in our hearts, we are ready to give Him final say in our lives, and that’s the only way to live with no regrets.
