What is God’s will for my life? Should I take this new job offer? Should I marry this person? Should I buy this house? Should I join this church? Should I attend this school?
Life is filled with decisions. How do we know what the right decision is? How do we know the best choice to make? How do we know what God desires? How do we know WWJD?
Decision making is filled with a lot stress for many people. It would be nice if we could talk with God like we talk with people around us, but God typically does not speak with an audible voice that we hear with our ears. God more often speaks to the heart.
How do we take the worry out of decision making when there is not a clear answer in the Scriptures? Here are some thoughts:
There is not alway one right choice
Sometime we get so focused on the idea that there is one right decision and we don’t want to make the wrong decision because we might somehow miss out on our destiny and what God created us for. In many decision there is not always one right choice. Don’t get so caught up on having to make the one right choice because …
There is grace
Even if we make the “wrong” decision, God will use our choice. God is a God of forgiveness. There are many times I did something dumb. In the end I learned from it. God used the choices I made to shape and form me into the person I am today. A choice I made in my past maybe was not the right choice, but the choice I needed to make.
Embrace the decision
When you make the choice, embrace the choice. There is nothing worse than making a choice and then looking back to wonder if you made the right choice. When you come to make a decision go with it. There is a freedom that comes from finally making a decision. Don’t allow yourself to remain in bondage to the choices of the past. The choice was made. You can’t change it.
Recognize the decisions in life are temporary
You have probably heard the expression not to make a mole hill into a mountain. The idea is to keep your perspective. It is easy to focus on the here and now. We live in the here and now, but most things in life are temporary. In the Psalms we are told to number our days aright (Psalm 90:12). Some of our stress is attributed to the fact that we attach more significance to our choices than they deserve.
Ask for discerning wisdom
The Scriptures say ask and it will be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7). When the choice is not clear ask for God to reveal the answer and give you discerning wisdom. If God knows he needs to step in, he will step in.
Celebrate the choice
Thank God that you have the ability to make a choice. There are many people in this world who do not have the options you have. It is estimated there are 30 million slaves in the world today. Think also of the many unborn children who never had an opportunity to make a choice, but lost their lives in the name of choice. The fact that you have the ability to make choices in life is a gift. So celebrate the gift.
Choose the cross
The cross is a symbol of God’s choice. God chose love rather than condemnation. Through the cross he chose you. The cross shows you that there is nothing he values in creation more than you. God does not love you because of the choices you make in life. He loves you because of who he made you to be. He loves you because of the choice he made to love you and send his Son in your behalf. Rest in the confidence there is nothing you can do to keep God from loving you. God knows your heart and your desire to seek him and honor him.
So there are a few thought on decision making. I would love to hear in the comments section how you find confidence in God when it comes to the decisions you make.
Dawn says
I pray and I believe God shows me signs in certain ways. I been struggling trying to excel in my career but always come to a block in the road at my present organization. I believe there is a reason for this and it will happen when god feels it is right.
Lisa says
ha! this is funny because I want to expand our family. I think about it all the time. We have 2 young children and I often worry about the financial hardship another child would bring. I worry about the logistics, will another car seat fit in our car? do I have to buy another car? I work and get home around 7/730, will I be able to manage three kids? How much will it cost to have 3 kids in school/daycare? Will the stress break our family? My heart tells me to just let go and trust in God. My heart tells me that if we are to have another child, it will be God’s will. I think we are at the point where we will throw caution to the wind. A child is a blessing. God knows our strengths, weakness, our struggles, so I like to think that He will make it happen or not because He knows best.
wdbybert says
Phil, Your notes of encouragement are spot on. It seems to me that God’s planto allow us free will is prat of a larger picture. God’s plan is like God. We are not like Him so we must trust. Surrender of our will to His whispers is our mission. Doing so with a joy and looking forward, not over our shoulder as you say, is correct.
Peace, Bert
Alicia says
Ty for the encouraging words and wisdom in truth! I enjoy the devotions since Lent of this year. God Bless you and the Church!