Where Does God Want Me To Live? How To Discern God’S Will For Your Next Move

Moving to a new city or home is a major life decision. As a Christian, you likely want to make sure your next move lines up with God’s will and plan for your life. But how do you discern where God wants you to live?

This comprehensive guide will walk through the biblical principles, practical wisdom, and spiritual practices to help you find clarity and direction.

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer to your question: Pray, seek wise counsel, study Scripture, pay attention to your desires and gifts, look for open and closed doors, and ultimately follow Jesus step-by-step in faith as you make decisions about where to live.

Consider Your Motivations and Goals

Why are you considering moving? Be honest with yourself.

Moving to a new location is a major life change, so it’s important to take time for self-reflection first. As the saying goes, “wherever you go, there you are.” Before deciding where to move, think carefully about why you want to relocate in the first place.

Here are some key questions to ask yourself:

• Is it job-related, family-related, or more of a personal desire for change?
• Are you hoping to improve certain aspects of your life like career opportunities, climate, cost of living, access to amenities, proximity to family/friends, stage of life, relationship status, etc.?
• Is it motivated more by wanting to move toward something positive or wanting to get away from something negative?
• Are you open to other options besides moving like improving your current situation?

Being clear and honest about your motivations upfront will help discern if relocating is the right solution or if adjustments can be made where you are. It also allows you to prioritize the factors most important for your next home when evaluating locations.

What are your goals and hopes for a new location?

Along with understanding why you want to move, envisioning your ideal goals for a new home location is key. Be specific. Here are some helpful questions to ask yourself:

• What climate and amenities like arts/culture/entertainment are appealing?
• Do you hope to be closer to family and friends?
• Are you looking for a safer area or better schools?
• Do you want more outdoor recreation options?
• Is a shorter commute important?
• Are you hoping for lower taxes and cost of living?
• Do you need easier access to healthcare specialists and services?
• Is a faith community important to you?

Envision your ideal routine in this new place. How will it improve your day-to-day life? Make sure to balance your wants with practical needs. Aligning your motivations and goals will give you clarity when researching locations and considering options during your move discernment process.

Pray Fervently

Ask God to guide, speak to you, and make His will clear.

Seeking God’s will starts with prayer. Pour out your heart to Him, asking for wisdom, discernment and clarity regarding His plan for your life. Admit that your own desires can cloud your judgment and lead you astray.

Humbly ask God to block any path not of His choosing and to illuminate the way He has for you. Pray expectantly, believing God will make His will known in His timing (Proverbs 3:5-6). Be patient, as guidance often comes gradually instead of all at once.

Keep praying until His direction becomes clear and you have full peace about any decision.

Tell God you want His will above your own ideas or desires.

As you pray, surrender your own will completely. Let Him know you want what He wants, regardless of what that entails or requires of you. Put your motives, ambitions, relationships and dreams on the altar before Him.

Tell God you are willing to obey whatever He calls you to do or wherever He leads you to go. Submit every part of your life to His lordship. As Jesus prayed in Luke 22:42, ask God to help you align your heart with His: “Not my will, but yours be done.”

This posture of submission is key to discerning His will.

Ask others to pray with you for discernment and direction.

In addition to praying on your own, ask close friends and family members to intercede for you regarding God’s will and guidance. Their outside perspective can help bring clarity. Seek out prayer partners who will faithfully lift you up, asking God to reveal His plans for your life.

Also consider consulting your pastor or other mature believers who know you well. Their godly counsel and wisdom can aid your discernment process (Proverbs 11:14). Allow their insights to weigh heavily as you seek the Lord.

Study Relevant Scripture Passages

Verses about God’s will, guidance, and direction.

When trying to discern God’s will for a potential move, it’s important to study scriptures that discuss His will, guidance, and direction. Here are some great passages to meditate on:

• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
• “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
• “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

These verses remind us that God cares deeply about directing our lives. As we seek Him in prayer and study His Word, He promises to guide us – even in major decisions like moving. We can trust Him to make His will clear if we sincerely seek it.

Stories of biblical figures who moved or traveled.

The Bible contains many stories of people who made major moves in seeking God’s will. Studying how God led and directed their journeys can encourage us in discerning His guidance for our own lives. Here are a few key examples:

• Abraham – God called Abraham to leave his home and travel to the land that He would show him (Genesis 12:1). Abraham obeyed in faith, and God guided Him throughout his journey.
• Ruth and Naomi – These women moved to Bethlehem together after losing their husbands. God blessed Ruth there by directing her to Boaz (Ruth 1-4).
• The early church – Persecution scattered the first believers beyond Jerusalem. But God used their movement to spread the Gospel wider (Acts 8:1-4).

The steps of God’s people are directed by Him, even when those steps lead to new places (Proverbs 20:24). As we study stories of faith-filled moves, we can gain wisdom and encouragement to follow God’s leading in our current situation.

Seek Wise Counsel

Talk to mature Christians who know you well.

Connecting with spiritually mature friends and mentors who understand your personality, giftings, strengths, weaknesses, and past experiences can provide invaluable perspective. Their objectivity and biblical wisdom helps reveal blindspots you may have regarding a potential move.

Scheduling regular catch-up conversations or even seeking formal counsel gives space to honestly process decisions. The Proverbs remind us there is safety in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 11:14).

Get perspective from pastors, mentors, and parents.

Consulting with those in spiritual authority who know your unique story gives a multi-layered look at how a move may impact your calling and growth. Pastors often provide guidance by assessing if opportunities align with one’s giftings and abilities. Parents who raised you can provide historical context on tendencies to make sound or irrational decisions.

Mentoring relationships centered on discipleship offer another trusted voice that knows your walk over time. Availing yourself to their godly insight is invaluable.

Listen to their spiritual wisdom and life experience.

Lean into the spiritual discernment the Holy Spirit has developed in guides you trust. Their relationship with Jesus and study of the Word shapes their perspective. Reflect on how their observations give vision to see God’s hand guiding the process.

According to research from LifeWay, 67% of practicing Christians seek input from others when making a major life decision. Value their real-world experiences navigating big transitions or walking with others in similar shoes.

The collective voice of advisers who support your faith and growth help confirm the Spirit’s leading. As you narrow options, continue conversations with your community of wise counsel. Ensure you are not making decisions in isolation but rather the centre of God-ordained relationships that anchor you.

Pay Attention to Your Desires and Gifts

What locations spark passion or interest for you?

When discerning God’s will for where to live, start by prayerfully considering what locations spark passion or interest in you. Make a list of places that get you excited or where you feel drawn to learn more. This inner prompting is often God speaking through your desires.

Ask Him to guide your heart as you dream about potential places to live.

Do you feel uniquely equipped to thrive somewhere?

Also reflect on your gifts, talents, personality, and experiences. Are there certain places where you would really thrive and feel empowered to serve God and others? For example, if you love the outdoors, small mountain towns may be a great fit.

Or if you have a heart for refugee ministry, consider locations with resettlement programs. God often leads us where we are equipped to make the biggest impact for His Kingdom.

How do your gifts match the needs of certain areas?

Do some research online about the needs of potential locations. See if you can find a place where your gifts and abilities directly match up with ministry opportunities or community needs. For example, if you’re skilled at mentoring young mothers, a city with many single moms could be a good match.

Or if you’re a counselor, a town impacted by trauma may really need your gifts. When your abilities fill a specific need, it’s often a sign of God’s leading.

As you pay attention to your passions, gifts and the needs of different places, patterns will often emerge about where God is calling you. Continue praying for wisdom and discernment each step of the way.

Look for Open and Closed Doors

Notice when God provides opportunities or connections.

When seeking God’s will for a move, pay attention to new opportunities or connections that arise. For example, if you’ve been praying about moving to a new city, and you suddenly meet someone from that city or get a job offer there, that could be God opening a door.

Look for divine alignments – things that come together in timely and uncanny ways. This doesn’t mean that every opportunity is from God, but do recognize when He may be providing an open pathway.

Here are some examples of open doors to watch for:

• You develop a meaningful new friendship or relationship with someone in the location you’re considering.
• You’re offered an unexpected job or internship near where you want to move.
• You find an affordable apartment or housing option you weren’t even looking for.
• You get accepted into a school or program in the desired area.
• Someone invites you to visit the city or spend time there.

When you experience one or more of these divine alignments, take it as a sign to explore further. God often guides us one step at a time rather than showing the full picture all at once. Be sensitive to the Spirit’s nudges as He directs your path.

Be aware of obstacles, challenges, or lack of progress.

Just as open doors can indicate God’s will, closed doors can also be a sign to stop, wait or change direction. If you face constant barriers, roadblocks or difficulties regarding a move, it may not be the right timing or location God has planned for you. Here are some examples of closed doors:

• You can’t find a job or afford housing in the area.
• Your application for a school or program gets rejected.
• A relationship ends or doesn’t work out there.
• You or your family feel an inner sense of unease about the move.
• Circumstances constantly prevent the move from happening.

While challenges don’t necessarily mean you should abandon the idea, pay attention if doors keep closing in your face. Perhaps there are lessons to learn first or preparation needed before proceeding. Or maybe God has a better plan than you can see right now.

Be sensitive to His guidance,Timing is everything when it comes to God’s will.

Step Out in Faith

When it comes to discerning God’s will for where to live, it can feel overwhelming trying to figure it all out upfront. However, God often reveals His plan one step at a time as we walk in faith and obedience. Here are some thoughts on stepping out in faith:

Ultimately, follow Jesus one step at a time.

Rather than having to map out every detail of the move, focus on taking the next step God puts in front of you. Seek Him daily, ask for wisdom, and trust that He will guide your path. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

It’s a journey of faith. God promises to lead those who follow Him. So walk closely with Jesus, keep your heart open to His Spirit’s leading, and He will direct you each step of the way.

He will lead you to the right place at the right time.

God has a plan and timing for where He wants you to be. Rather than worrying about figuring it all out now, rest in the fact that God knows what is best for you, and He will lead you to the right place at the right time as you follow Him.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Trust that ultimately God’s timing and guidance will prevail. He sees the big picture and what is needed for your growth, good works, and blessing.

So cling to Jesus daily, acknowledge Him, and allow Him to guide your moves. He promises to lead you on the best path if you faithfully follow Him.

Moving forward is an adventure when God is directing your steps! Keep seeking Him, trusting Him, and taking faith-filled actions as He leads. God will faithfully guide you to the right place at the right time as you walk closely with Him.

Conclusion

Discerning God’s will for where to live can be challenging, but He promises to guide us if we commit our plans to Him in prayer. By considering your motivations, praying, studying Scripture, getting wise counsel, noticing open/closed doors, and stepping out in faith, you’ll find clarity on the next place God is calling you to.

As you seek God’s will for your next move, remember that He cares far more about your character and relationship with Him than your comfort or circumstances. Trust that wherever He leads you is the best place for you to grow in Christlikeness and fulfill His purposes.