True or false? If it is God’s will, then everything will work out all smoothly and easily.

False. Not always, anyway. I have often heard people, including pastors and teachers, who said something like, “Don’t worry. If it is God’s will, He will work it out and everything will be smooth and easy. If it is difficult and you run into obstacles, then that’s a sign that it might not be God’s will.”
I accepted this as truth most of my life because I myself have heard it from other spiritual leaders. And it makes logical sense. But carefully perusing the Scriptures, I have changed my mind. The truth might be almost the opposite. If it is God’s will, then you WILL run into obstacles and difficulties. If you don’t (if everything is easy and smooth), that might be a sign that it’s not God’s will…
Paul knew clearly that it was God’s will for him to go to Rome. Acts 23:11, “…the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” 
 
So, how was his journey to Rome? According to the conventional belief, since it was God’s will clearly, shouldn’t it have been smooth sailing? There should be no obstacles and problems they would encounter since God would’ve removed all those to make His will come true. But it was anything but!
From the beginning, they ran into difficulties. In Acts 27, notes these words, “the winds were against us,” “we sailed slowly,” “coasting along with difficulty,” “voyage was now dangerous,” “a tempestuous wind,” “we were violently storm tossed.” And there are many more…
Although it was God’s will for Paul to go to Rome, the journey was very difficult and they ran into a ton of obstacles. (There is a similar episode with the disciples who were told by Jesus to get to the other side of the lake and they run into a storm!)
But here’s the important thing. God’s will was done. They DID arrive in Rome although with much difficulty exactly as God had said they would.
What is the take away from this? This: When you are in the will of God, expect obstacles and difficulties – storms! Do not give up thinking that it must not be God’s will since there are too many obstacles. Persevere. Stay put. Stick it out. Press forward. If it was indeed God’s will, it will come to pass! 
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up!” Gal. 6:9
Gather with other believers this Sunday to worship!
PH