How to Walk in God’s Will, Live Courageously, and Rest Secure This Advent

Walking in God’s will can feel challenging as December grows loud. Our calendars swell, social feeds hum, and minds scatter. Yet Advent invites a counter-melody: quiet focus on Jesus. In this special season, it’s time to recover what we’ve misplaced—Bibles open, hearts soft, steps realigned with the will of God. A Christmas anchored in Christ needs more than fleeting inspiration; it needs formation—through Scripture, faith, and perseverance—with the sure assurance that His grip is sure.

The Word within to Find Your Way

For centuries, Christians have learned that walking in God’s will begins by hiding God’s Word within their hearts. The psalmist writes, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Scripture offers more than information—it is formation: “breathed out by God and profitable” to make us “complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Especially in seasons of temptation and exhaustion, Scripture memorization is a profound discipline for walking in God’s will. It teaches our desires a new refrain, steadies us amid suffering, and brings comfort and courage. Joshua was told to keep the Book “on his lips day and night,” using meditation to align the heart and strengthen obedience (Joshua 1:8).

Try this simple plan for embedding the Word in your everyday life:

• Choose one verse per week (e.g., Psalm 119:11, Romans 12:2, John 10:28–29).
• Carry it: Set it as your lock screen or place a sticky note where you’ll see it often.
• Speak it morning, noon, and night. Repetition builds memory.
• Pair it with temptation: When stress peaks or distractions appear, answer with God’s Word.
• Invite your household: Memorize together for shared encouragement.

Hiding the Word isn’t a checklist—it’s a way to treasure Christ, to meet Him where He promises to be found, and to receive wisdom for walking in God’s will through the week.

How to Know God’s Will in a Noisy December

We often crave God’s will as a detailed map for every moment. Instead, God offers us something better: His Word and His Spirit to form us into people who make wise, Godward choices. “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God” (Romans 12:2).

Here’s a grace-filled summary of God’s revealed will for every believer—simple yet life-changing:

• Saved by grace through faith in Christ.
• Spirit-filled, not led by the flesh (Ephesians 5:18).
• Sanctified, growing in holiness by the Spirit and the Word.
• Submissive to God’s authority and structures He ordains.
• Suffering for righteousness and not surprised by trials (1 Peter 2:20–21).
• Saying thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

As these foundations are established, God shapes our desires. “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). This is not a blank check for personal cravings, but a promise: the Spirit aligns our hearts with His purpose. Wisdom then flows—choosing the right next step, with a mind renewed by Scripture and a heart eager to follow walking in God’s will.

Grace for the Unlikely: Rahab’s Courageous Faith

The Christmas story astonishes with God’s unlikely choices in the family tree: “Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab” (Matthew 1:5). Rahab, an outsider with a broken past, heard about God, believed, and acted in courageous obedience to protect His people (Joshua 2). The New Testament celebrates her “imperfect yet genuine” faith (Hebrews 11:31) and obedience as proof of a faith that walks in God’s will (James 2:25–26).

Rahab’s story proclaims that grace welcomes the unlikely and empowers courage. If your knowledge feels incomplete or your past feels disqualifying, take heart. True faith runs to God, not from Him. Advent celebrates the breadth of grace brought by Christ: the Holy One entering our world to redeem and include those who trust Him. In Christ, outsiders are made family—an encouragement for all who choose walking in God’s will this season.

Overcoming in the Real Struggle

Walking in God’s will requires perseverance through struggle. The apostle Paul captures the inner battle: “I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:21–25). If this is your December—discouraged by sin or weary from the fight—remember: overcoming is not sinlessness, but perseverance born at the cross and sustained by the Spirit. The promise stands: “The one who overcomes will inherit all things” (Revelation 21:7).

Our soundest assurance in walking in God’s will is in Christ’s hold—not our own: “No one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28–29). This is the comfort of Christmas: the Child in the manger is the Shepherd-King whose grip is unbreakable. His grip is sure.

A Simple Advent Rule of Life

Adopt a short, sturdy rule of life for Advent—nothing flashy, just practices that center Jesus, root Scripture in your heart, and grow courage:

• Hide Scripture: Memorize one verse a week, such as Psalm 119:11, Romans 12:2, or John 10:28–29.
• Align with God’s Will: Each morning, review the “Six S’s” (Saved, Spirit-filled, Sanctified, Submissive, Suffering, Saying thanks). Pray, “Which is God emphasizing today?”
• Practice Courageous Obedience: Identify one act of faith—confess sin, reconcile, give generously, or share the gospel—and step into it.
• Persevere with Thanksgiving: Finish each day by writing three things you’re thankful for in Christ. Gratitude is spiritual warfare against discouragement and worry.

These aren’t boxes to check, but pathways of grace. With time, they deepen desire, steady the heart, and train hands for walking in God’s will during this Advent and beyond.

When December Gets Loud Again

Expect resistance. The enemy doesn’t mind sentimental Christmas celebrations, but he fears when we keep them Scriptural. When the noise grows, answer it with the Word. When you’re unsure, walk in what God has already revealed. When courage runs thin, remember Rahab. When the war with sin wearies you, remember the promise to those who overcome. When your assurance wavers, rest in the Shepherd who never loses a sheep.

This is how we thrive in every distracted season: Scripture → Will → Walk. We treasure the Bible, align with God’s will, and step out in faith—all beneath the hand of a Savior whose grip is unbreakable.

Come, let us adore Him. And let us walk in His will this Christmas.