Is having peace about something a sign that it is God's will?

from the old testament

• God has clearly revealed His will in Scripture. A Psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). That is, it provides the light we need to see how we are to live in a way that pleases Him. Indeed, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). So, in a very real sense, we have everything we need to live right in Scripture. That is God's will.
• The problem with relying on subjective feelings, such as a “settled peace,” is that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Our hearts are so deceitful that even we are easily self-deceived. A feeling of peace may simply be our sinful hearts promoting something we want to do!
• Solomon said, “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26). Walking in wisdom means such things as following God’s revealed will in Scripture, listening to wise counsel, and making prudent decisions. In contrast, trusting whatever we feel (or comes into our mind) is being unwise because “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12). What seems (or feels) right may not actually be right.
• Instead of looking for special, daily guidance, we are to “trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding,” knowing that He “will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). That is, we plan what we do knowing that God guides every step we take (Proverbs 16:9).
• There are, certainly, times when God provided direct guidance. But in each case, it was audible and clear that God was speaking (i.e., Genesis 12:1; 1 Samuel 3). Scripture never presents a feeling of peace as the basis for making a godly decision. These times were also extraordinary moments where God was moving salvation history forward, not simply daily guidance.

from the new testament

• The New Testament continues to emphasize His will as obeying what Scripture teaches. Paul wrote, “This is the will of God, your sanctification,” followed by a list of sins we are to avoid (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
• In 2 Timothy, we learn, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). God's Word contains all we need to live in a way that pleases God.
• This is why we are exhorted to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). That is, we are to renew our minds with Scripture so that we know better and better how to obey God. It is in that way that we do God’s will (1 John 2:15–17).
• Scripture does speak about having peace. One way is about having peace with other believers. We read, “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:15–16). Notice both that it’s about living in one body and that peace is informed by Scripture (“word of Christ” dwelling richly in us).
• Another type of peace comes from prayer. We read, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7). However, the context is not about making a decision but about the peace that comes from communing with God despite what is going on around us.
• How, then, do we decide what to do? We do it by walking in the Spirit, doing what pleases God (Ephesians 5:15–21). That is, we walk carefully, evaluating our decisions in light of Scripture and living in Spirit-empowered obedience.

implications for today

There are many ways both Christians and non-Christians alike try to discern what they are to do. It can range from looking for signs in nature to observing coincidences to looking for “open doors.” Striving for a feeling of peace about a specific decision can be an activity similar to those others. Rather than being a biblical practice, it can have more in common with new age or other subjective ways people try to figure out what they should do.

Fortunately, God has already given us everything we need to live a godly life (2 Timothy 3:16–17). There is nothing else we need to please Him. We have His will: it’s in the Bible! Our primary way of determining what God wants us to do is by comparing what we want to do through the lens of Scripture. If it does not obviously contradict God's Word, then we are free to move forward. That said, while we plan our steps, God directs our paths (Proverbs 16:9). Believers can ultimately rest in the fact that as long as we are obeying God, He will place us right where He wants us.

Still, we should not completely dismiss our feelings. While “peace” is subjective, it can still be like a gauge we should acknowledge. For example, a lack of peace might be your conscience warning you that you are entering an area of sin. Listen to it. But, even there, be careful. You need to confirm everything by Scripture. In short, your feelings of peace or a lack of peace may be right, but they also might be wrong. This is why God's Word, not our feelings, must be the final authority of all we do.