CLARITY IN CHOICE
To be or not to be.
To do or not to do.
Whatever it is,
let God lead you.
Anyone else like me and not like to decide what to order to eat over the weekend? I knows it’s a petty and small issue to have but I feel it. There are so many decisions on our plate to decide on all week that by the weekend, my brain leads me to words like…
I’ll eat whatever.
You decide.
I should be grateful to have the options and don’t get me wrong, I am very much thankful. Still, life deals a lot of choices and sometimes it is not as innocent as whether to order pizza or wraps for dinner.
What about the bigger decisions? The ones that can leave us feeling overwhelmed, confused or even alone.
We need to seek God for it all. We have the gift of being able to do so.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Seeking God in our decisions and paths is not just a one time thing, it is a continual process of seeking Him.
I’m not saying it will make all decisions easy. Life isn’t easy. However, when I remember these verses and that we can turn to God for everything it gets lighter.
God is omnipresent. He is everywhere at the same time. He is beside us, before us and all around.
That makes everything lighter.
And it makes everything brighter.
Therefore, we can lean into His light no matter what we are walking through. We can use His Word and Truth to help us be careful not to make decisions in or out of fear.
But how? How do we make sure fear is not making our decisions?
♡ Slow down to seek God first. True wisdom takes thought, effort and being intentional seeking and listening to God. (Proverb 13:16) He must always be our first resort.
♡ Pray. James 1:5 reminds us to ask God for wisdom.
♡ Recognize you don’t need to react in the heat of the emotion or feeling. Recognize and call it what it is: fear. Then, pray and wait to respond with reason and God’s Word. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”(2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)
♡ When we face a choice or a decision of any size, we can ask ourselves the challenging and important questions…
Is this aligned with God’s Word?
Or does this go against God’s Word? (If it does, it is not from God. We must never decide by changing God’s Word, instead by turning to it.)
Is this pointing me closer to the Lord or farther away? Does this draw me or someone else nearer to Jesus?
Who or what does this honor? God or an idol?
Will this help me grow spiritually?
Will this increase my faith or that of others?
Will it slow down my walk with Jesus or that of someone else?
And remember…
Be still & listen…
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
(Psalm 37:7)
and pray for a heart undivided that will obey and follow.
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11)
Also, while decision-making…
♡ Consider fasting to draw near to God and make room for what God is providing. It helps us focus and draw near to God. It helps us renew our mind in and with Truth.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)
♡Ask someone you trust and who is like-minded in Christ for advice or to pray for you. We are not meant to do this alone. Of course the enemy will have us feeling alone or like no one understands or cares. God does. God cares. And there are others who do too. Reach out here anytime. We were created for community. That doesn’t mean go and ask everyone you know for advice. Trust me- been there, done that and it leads to more confusion and more opinions.
Instead, consider this. Ask others to pray for you. Simply state you have a decision to make and are praying for clarity, wisdom and protection or whatever it is. Find a person or two to discuss the matter with.
In the meantime, try not to search online too much. Sure, do your own reading and research if need be. However, seek God for wisdom and answers. Ask Him to align your path with those who can help.
Remember the answer may not come as you thought it would. Sometimes, it will be a clear yes or no, other times it may be “wait.” However, anticipate and believe it will come.
♡ Open the Bible. Read that Bible. Before you read, pray and ask God what it is specifically you are seeking answers for. Pray to receive whatever it is He wants to provide you as you read. In seeking God through His word, we learn more about Him, His character, His promises, His everlasting goodness and that fills us with peace and everything we need as we walk in whatever we face. Seek God.
The emotions and feelings will keep us running and searching but God will keep us growing and learning.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1–2)
Remember…
Don’t sit in the emotions of not knowing what to do or feeling guilt on even feeling them.
I know how it is. The enemy will try to get us to stay there or to think we are alone, or trick us into feeling guilty or shameful for whatever it is.
But God!
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
(John 10:10 NIV)
But how?
How do we give it to God?
Pause and pray.
Tell Him.
Write it down.
And record the prompts as they come.
Keep praying and talking to God about it. There are no perfect words. Just talk to Him and tell Him. He will provide. For He is good and He is faithful.
Dear God,
You are faithful. I give this to You. I don’t know how to do it. I don’t know what to do. Fill me with Your clarity and wisdom, Your strength, Your love and Your discipline. I pray to walk in what You have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5 NIV)
♡ To have more messages and weekly devotionals like this emailed to you directly, subscribe below. You can also find @theartofamessyhouse on IG and YouTube now too. Stay tuned for the podcast launching in just a couple weeks too!
God bless!
