I think sometimes we overthink God’s will. We make it into some mystical kind of futuristic endeavor where we can never really be certain of what God wants from us. This passage from 1 Thessalonians spells it out in black and white.

1. Be joyful.
2. Pray continually.
3. Give thanks whatever happens.

Not overly complicated, but not necessarily easy. It takes intentionality and discipline to have a constant mindset of prayer and thanksgiving. We naturally default to complaining and anxiety. Or at least I do.

But God’s will is the opposite. God isn’t trying to get us to follow rules for the sake of following rules. His way is the way that leads to joy. His way is the way that leads to real life and real prospering (as in the kind that can’t be measured in dollars and cents).

As always, I point out that God doesn’t say for us to give thanks for everything. We’re not masochists who are happy when our loved ones suffer and die or when crises strike. We give thanks in everything because God is able to work in everything and turn it from bad to good. Case in point: Joseph from the Old Testament.

So that’s it. I’m not saying that this passage is a list of what to follow that guarantees instant victory. But this is an attitude and a mindset to adopt that leads to us better perceiving and obeying the whole will of God in all matters. It’s always a good place to start.