If people have free will, how does everything happen according to His plan?

Question

I tend to be a very nervous person, and people always tell me that I shouldn't worry because everything is under the control of God. I also hear that you will never be given a trial that is more than you can handle. But people can do whatever they want, so doesn't that mean that they can go against His plan? Like, maybe God planned for me to live to be 95 and for this other guy, Bob, to be a doctor. But Bob decides to use his free will and randomly shoot me. That isn't under God's control. So how can I stop being anxious all the time?

Answer 1

Ooh, that depends on what you personally believe. I'm Calvinist, and I believe in predestination.
Just because God knows what you're going to do doesn't mean he makes you do it. So technically it's free will, but when looking at the bigger picture, it's like watching a pattern.

And how do you know that Bob shooting you isn't in God's plan? Just because you don't like it doesn't mean God didn't have you shot for a reason. You might have liked to live to 95, but God had another plan for you. Think of Jesus. He didn't WANT to die. (He said so in Gethsemane.) And Judas... he's the betrayer. God knew it was going to happen, but he didn't make Judas do it.

Answer 2

If God has willed that you live till 95 no Tom, Dick and Harry or Bob can change that.Have you not heard of miracles(even modern).Even if Bob shoots you will survive.That will be a medical miracle. Have you not heard of people going into coma for many months surviving or people pronounced dead living a healthy and long life.Just because God has given us freedom to move about like the mother and the toddler that does not mean He has forsaken us.Even if Bob decides to shoot you he will be rundown by a speeding car or at the last minute Bob will run out of bullets and you will survive or Bob's aim will be hopeless.

Answer 3

Remember that God is the Creator of all things and God knows all, as knowlege, wisdom and power came from him. If God didnt know what was gonna happen with each individual, the world would be out of control for God. But God knows all and God's plan comes together everyday.

God knew when you were going to be conceived, what your name was going to be, which school you were going to go to, what subject you would major in, whether you were gonna get married or not, the number of children you were gonna have or not, where and when your life will end up. God already knew the choices you made and still knows the choices you will make now until the end.

So yes we have free will and because God knew your will before hand, it falls into place in God's Plan.

Answer 4

Well free will simply means that God doesn't force his laws onto us, yes we can either do things his way or our way. However there are other parts to it..if you are in the will of God and Bob isn't it's ok because the bible says that God reigns on the just as well as the unjust.. sooo.. If Bob decides he wants to shoot you and you obey God the bible says
NO weapon formed against us shall prosper..
and When your enemies come to eat up your flesh they will stumble and fall.....God has complete power and we have the opportunity to have some of his power..God is more powerful then us..and more powerful then Satan..so if you're obeying God and someone else isn't they have no power over you. The bible says that God gives us authority an and power to tread over serpents..he will make our enemies our footstool...so don't you ever worry about what someone else around you is or isn't doing..YOU keep YOUR eyes on God and keep your relationship with him hot and fiery and no devil in hell can overtake you..because we are more then conquerors through Jesus Christ who strengthen us.

Answer 5

There is a fine line about what you are talking about. Yes, God knows everything and everything is under Gods control. But, God allows people to do as they wish - He does not intervene in the deeds of wicked men or women. He allows those things to happen and then when they have passed away or they come to some realization, then God becomes real to them. These people are either convicted of their crimes and they ask for forgiveness or they perish into hell - alone and separated from God forever. See, God does things in peoples lives so that He may be glorified - but, He does not partake or intervene in the wicked schemes of evil men.

Answer 6

Your fears arent related to God, you might have a mild to moderate case of an anxiety disorder, I suggest you read up on it just to make sure and get some professional support.

As for God, He does control everything, but the window you look at the world matters a lot. If youre looking at the world through the window of a person who suffers from anxiety disorders, you will see things much more differently than they are.

Answer 7

The destination is known (planned), but the path is not.

> So how can I stop being anxious all the time?

Do not worry for the morrow. Consider the lily and birds.
Everything is fine in the end.

Sure troubles will come and go, but everything will be fine.

Not to say you should stay unhappy until you find out it works out...be happy now.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 8

Okay lets get some facts streight, when Adam and Eve decided to sin, because we are cut off from God satan is the one who is the person whos charater we are like, that we have NO CHOICE in, Jesus Christ the second member of The Godhead came to give you a choice in a world that everyone dies in, for in John3:16 we are told God [the father] SO Loved the world that He gave [Jesus gave Himself] that whosoever should BE-LIVE in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. for now we do have a choice and it IS God's plan we make it to heaven but THAT IS OUR CHOICE, and He honors our choice with what happens when we make that choice of course, and because people listen to satan if Bob shoots you then be aware in Matt chapters 24 and 25 Jesus said anytime is right for you, that means your probation is always subject to being over, you could die by the end of today, so get ready and STAY ready, hay free bible lessons learn more www.itiswritten.com bible questions www.bibleinfo.com God bless email me also [e-mail]

Answer 9

If Bob shoots you, then you weren't planned to live to be 95. God gives us free will, so we make our own decisions. but He already knows what we will choose; He doesn't make the decision for us, He knows what decision we will make. of course God wants us to follow Him, but he also wants us to have to choose to do it. If He MADE us love Him, then it wouldn't really be love. (If you ever hear anything about Calvinism, please disregard it. It will make you more nervous and confused; talking about how God will choose who he wants to go to heaven in a way that seems unloving to everyone. Arminianism puts foreknowledge BEFORE predestination. If you didn't understand that, that's okay. I'm in a theology class. you can do some research on the views of Calvinism and Arminianism if you want to.) If you still have questions, don't worry. some things are over our heads and our human minds can't completely understand God, actually, no one can; God is incomprehensible. just know that He loves you and do everything to please Him.

Answer 10

God wants you to work out what his plan is for you with him he also gives us free will which he cant interfere in ..If you live by your convictions ..seek Gods plan for you ..Accept him as lord and saviour and become born again ..and have a willingness to do what his word says then you shall have no reason to be fearful.... I had it put this way ..we look ahead to our future but god is already at the end looking back at our pasts so he knows what we will do in 5 years cause to him its already been but he knows what choices we made to get to that point