Customer Reviews

The Mystery of God's Will

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Have you ever wrestled with God in an effort to discern his will for your life? If so, I believe you'll benefit immensely from this recent offering by Chuck Swindoll. It has been an invaluable resource for me, because in recent months I have realized that the Lord is calling me away from my career as a lawyer and into full time Christian ministry. Talk about needing to figure out God's will!!

This book has no "magic bullets" in it. It can't answer all your questions about where God is leading you. Chuck admits that, and makes no bones about it, in the first pages. But what he offers instead are some solid, practical insights from scripture that should affect our attitude about God's will. He emphasizes God's wonderful attributes, and in particular his sovereignty, to give comfort and hope to those who are confused about the Lord's purpose for their lives.

Chuck also firmly yet lovingly reminds how NOT to try to figure out God's will. This is neither rocket science nor witchcraft -- it's pure holy mystery. You can't figure it out by coming in the side door. The overwhelming emphasis is on learning to trust the God who loves us infinitely, and who has our best interests at heart. In other words, God's will is in the journey more than the destination as we walk with him in that relationship of love and trust.

I recommend this book very highly for every believer, but especially for anyone who is going through a major crisis of faith in seeking God's will. You won't get hard answers, but you'll get insights that will speak to your heart. Giant thanks to brother Chuck!

I used to think that I was about the only one who really struggled with knowing God's will in my life. It seemed like everyone else knew exactly what God's will was for their lives. This book has taught me that just about everyone struggles with knowing God's will for their life. And more than that, Chuck gives many "what to do" examples of how to better discern God's will for your life. One of the best parts of the book is that he is unafraid to use real life examples of people who struggled mightily with knowing what God would have for them to do.

I always was puzzled why God would allow someone who is doing the work of God in this life would be allowed to die, sometimes tragically. It made no sense to me. With the aid of this book, I'm beginning to understand more about God and the fact that His ways are often a mystery to me. Chuck explains that God's righteousness is something that is very difficult for a mere mortal to understand and comprehend. God has chosen to do things His way, and that often contradicts what we think He should do, based on our human logic and emotion.

I have read the book once, and it is very much like an excellent movie, in that multiple visits are necessary to uncover all the gems that are to be found there. I plan to read it several times, in addition to my normal Bible study (and not a substitute for it!), because there is so much there it takes several trips to begin to understand something so vast and mysterious as God's will for our lives.

I have several friends and family members who are stuggling with knowing what God would have them do. I plan to get and give them a copy of this book which may help to explain why things in their lives are not working out as they think they should. God's will is still a mystery to me, but at least thanks to this book I know a lot more about how to find it, understand it, and most of all, not sweat it when nothing seems to make sense.

Every Christian I know wants to know and do God's will -- to follow the path that God has set for each of us. Chuck cannot of course provide that, but he does provide some roadside markers so that each of us can learn God's will for our life by prayer, seeking God in our silent moments, and by using some of Chuck's practical suggestions how to travel that road that God has set before us.

Both good and bad happen in our lives and in the lives of others. Why? Can't explain it? Trying to figure out what God is up to?

Can we reason using what we know to arrive at a satisfying answer? Excuses and rationalizations lead to frustration, anger at God or increased pride.

Swindoll rightly tells us to think Biblically. He calls it reasoning theologically. That is, reason that God is sovereign. Seek his will. Study the Bible. Wait perceptively for His understanding and the Spirit's prompting. Pray earnestly. Listen to wise counsel. Be willing to take risks and be persecuted. Expect God to surprise you.

In all, realize that God is working to conform each of us to the image of Christ. God opens and closes doors in the process that causes successful growth toward that purpose. Why specific events happen are a mystery otherwise.

As Christians we can know His moral will and make wise choices accordingly. Inner peace follows regardless of circumstances. Make sure you have it. God is in control. Relax.

The Lord's mercy never ceases. The Lord's compassions never fail. The Lord's faithfulness never diminishes.

Lately, I've been very down and questioned where God is and what He wants from me. One night while desperate for encouragement, I stopped in a Christian book store and picked up this book. I couldn't put it down! This is the only book I own that I will never lend out. Instead, I will buy copies for people I think it may help. I will read this one many times!

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It put into words, what I have known in my heart: That God is God, and He knows what He's doing; and that I am accountable to him, not the other way around.

Sometimes you know something deep in your heart, but it takes someone else to point them out and make them clear for you. In my case, I had been struggling with God's plans for me, and it took this book to remind me of what I already knew in my heart-"The Lord's mercies never cease. The Lord's compassions never fail. The Lord's faithfulness never diminshes." This book clearly outlines how we can find and use God's will. I particularly enjoyed the extensive use of Biblical scripture, including passages from the little read Lamentations and Job. Swindoll had a way of presenting this complicated and mysterious topic in a way that made me say "duh!" I needed this book, and will recommend to many friends.

This is the best book I have ever read on knowing the will of God. The most significant part of Swindoll's writings are that they point to what we all should already know from God's Word. As my husband and I are seeking the Lord's will about our career or whether or not we should go into the mission field, Swindoll reminded me of the confidence we have in God's sovereignty. I'm so glad that I can rest in that. This is a book that I will recommend to anyone who struggles to know the will of God. Thanks Chuck!

I have read a number of books on this topic, and needless to say, this was the best one, of all. Chuck's humble approach, and real-life illustrations, helped me to APPLY what I read, immediately!

Thank you, Chuck Swindoll, and thank You, God, for loving us so much that You are patient with our feeble attempts to understand You!

The book is somewhat helpful in comforting those who find God's will and ways mysterious and perplexing. However, this volume, despite its instruction to think theologically, falls into a man-centered--me-centered--approach to God's will, exhibiting greater concern about "God's will for my life" than about God's will for God Himself, and ignoring crucial biblical portions regarding God's will in relation to God's purpose and heart's desire. Revelation 4:11 and Ephesians 1, for example, are not given due consideration. As a result, this book, with a subtitle pointing to "me" and "my," as is so common today, is only a slightly above average approach to the will of God, which has less to do with "me" and more about the Body of Christ (Rom. 12:1-5).

As a new believer, I have found Swindoll's book very down-to-earth and straightforward which I appreciate. The idea that there are many mysteries in God's Word that are beyond our human understanding is reassuring, since I have puzzled frequently over passages that I could not fathom and had concluded that it must be some lack in
me. Swindoll encourages us to trust in our Father's goodness toward his children and to surrender to His perfect will for our lives. I highly recommend this excellent "guide to understanding" especially to those who are new to the Christian pilgrimage. It has become a very welcome companion to my evolution as a believer.