Freewill and God's influence

[Cin]

I believe God gave us freewill, and the only way free will Is possible is through a hands off approach. If that's the case, I am grateful just for being born. Can God really help people directly?  Or is life a test of faith?

I feel like God has a purpose for me and it's really up to me if I fulfil that purpose, cause I have freewill.

I have a few hurtful people in my life, I still want to be kind to them no matter what, but I keep hoping something will change their hearts, and i don't think God can change minds, cause that's against free will.

I hope someone can understand my dilemma here.

[Del]

Cin,
God can help people directly. After all, he parted the Red Sea and gave Samson strength among so many examples.

The Lord can still soften hearts as seen when he opened Lydia's heart. He can harden hearts as he did with pharaoh. He can guide people into your life to help, guide, teach, rebuke and laugh with you. Although he does this we still have free will.

We must remember that the Lord knows all things. Who will love him and who will not. That is why it is written all of the Lord's members were written before this world was made. We who believe were written in the book of life. Therefore, either guiding, helping, hardening or opening a heart does not violate free will. Be cause he already knew who would serve him and who would not.

Adam and Eve had free will and chose to be as gods rather than choose eternal life. Solomon chose to have multiple wives even after knowing he should not. Paul chose to imprison and persecute Christians until the Lord opened his eyes. After having his eyes opened he chose to follow Christ and be the apostle unto the Gentiles. Hence, when the Lord intervened on the road to Damascus he still did not interfere with Paul's free will as he already knew Paul would serve him.

I see you wish to serve God and feel he may have something for you to do. If so that is great. There needs to be more honest laborers in the fields.

I also see you wish to be kind to some and hope the Lord changes their mind. But you think that may interfere with their free will. Well, the main thing to do is pray for the will of the Lord. Ask him to nudge them by his Spirit to assist with problems you may have with them. Maybe to open their eyes to how you feel about some things where you may disagree and maybe even soften their heart. That will help you and will not violate their free will as if you were to pray that he change their mind. But remember, some folk are so set in their ways and beliefs that it may not do any good.

I hope this helps and I hope that you find out just what it is that you feel the Lord wants you to do.

May God bless.

[Cin]

Thank you, I do wish to serve God. I think I shouldn't worry about other people changing their ways, it's up to god and/or themselves. Thank you for your reply.