Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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How do you know what God's will is for you? I prayed for God to show me a sign to lead me in the right path but I did not get a straightforward answer. Are we supposed to get a straightforward answer or what? Also, sometimes I tend to forget or doubt that God does everything for a reason that will benefit us. Maybe because sometimes I do not understand His reasoning, I just wanted to know what to do when I start doubting.

When we pray the Lord's Prayer, we say "Thy will be done". Therefore, we should never doubt, nor worry, nor fear when making any difficult decision. If one prays and confides in his/her spiritual father, and the two pray together, there should be comfort in moving forward. If your spiritual father is apprehensive about your decision, he will alert you of his discomfort, which is most likely a sign from God. Trust in the Lord to provide you with what is best for you. He will only give you what is spiritually best. The other things you may acquire along the way are usually the desires of the heart. Although God does not necessarily prevent us from obtaining material things, He cautions us to avoid setting our hearts on them because they often interfere with our relationship with Him. His reasoning does not need to be revealed to you, but His will is to set you on the right path that leads to His kingdom. God never hides Himself from anyone who seeks Him earnestly. In the passages below, the answer is not case-specific as to a particular request. It is not that God will just automatically give you whatever you request and open any door to you. Rather, if and when your heart is seeking God's heart, be assured that is what He will open to you and His love and guidance are what you will find, regardless of whatever other material concerns beckon you.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:7-12).

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