MAGNOLIA MINDS: The Secret Places of Our Will — A Dance with God’s Purpose

By Tony Martin
Associate Editor

Our battles are first won or lost in the secret places of our will, never in full view of the world. You’ll never have any idea what other people are really going through. Just know that other believers wrestle with God’s will, just like you.

Life is a fascinating journey filled with its twists and turns, highs and lows, celebrations and struggles. As we walk this path, we often come face to face with battles that challenge us in ways that are deeply personal and at times invisible to the eyes of others.

It’s in these very private arenas that victories are born and defeats are experienced.

“Our battles are first won or lost in the secret places of our will, never in full view of the world.” Think about it; the personal battles we face are not fought in arenas filled with cheering crowds. They’re fought in the quiet corners of our minds and hearts, where we wrestle with our desires, decisions, and God’s will for our lives.

The world may never see these battles, but they are as real and significant as any physical war.

Take a moment to consider those things with which you wrestle in your private thoughts. Maybe it’s a decision about your career, confronting a family crisis, or a personal habit you want to change. Whatever it is, know that you’re not alone in these struggles.

“You’ll never have any idea what other people are really going through. Just know that other believers wrestle with God’s will, just like you.” Isn’t that a comforting thought? We all face challenges, and we all wrestle with God’s will in our lives. Sometimes we wonder why things aren’t going our way or why we feel a nagging sensation that something is amiss.

The beautiful part of the struggle is that it leads us closer to understanding God’s purpose for our lives.

The wrestling is not a sign of weakness or failure; it’s a dance, a continuous process of aligning our will with God’s. When we wrestle, we engage, we ask questions, we seek understanding, and in the process we grow stronger and closer to the Creator.

Now, here’s the upbeat part: These battles, these wrestlings with God’s will, shape us into the individuals we are meant to be. They prepare us for bigger roles in life by molding us into stronger, more compassionate beings. They teach us empathy, patience, and resilience.

Next time you find yourself in a secret battle, don’t be disheartened. Embrace it! Know that in the struggle you are finding your path, shaping your character, and learning to dance with God’s will.

Remember, your fellow believers are dancing too. Maybe not to the same tune or in the same way, but they are engaged in the same beautiful, sometimes complex dance with destiny. So, let’s celebrate these battles. Let’s find joy in the wrestlings.

Let’s encourage each other and understand that we’re all on this journey together, each finding our way, each learning our purpose, and enjoying every step in our uniquely individual dance with God’s divine plan for us.

Opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, The Baptist Record, nor the publication’s Advisory Committee. The author may be contacted at tmartin@mbcb.org.