My husband and I have been trying to work through some difficult (to us) decisions for our family. Those that know me well know that I am a verbal processor. If you have read my blogs, it is evidence for my need to express my thoughts, worries, and endless concerns either written or verbally. Decisions need to be made and would be best made in the near future so we have been praying a lot, talking with great friends and our family. With everything going on right now, I have been trying to read more and more books on different subject matter. Some inspirational, some educational, and some on the specific topics we are dealing with.
What has been so wonderful and fascinating to me is to see God work through His word and my need to research things. I opened my bible this morning, and another Beth Moore book I use as a resource and Proverbs 16 caught my attention:
Proverbs 16:2 ' All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.'
Proverbs 16:3 ' Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.'
Proverbs 16:8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.'
Proverbs 16:9 'In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.'
I was reading all of these verses, because as decisions with education, jobs, and investments continue to arise in our family this season, the above verses gave me some peace. I say some because if I am truly honest, I'll admit I like to be in control and have the ability take charge, do what I think is best and move on. And these verses make it very clear that I am not in control, which is a great thing but at times quite annoying. Sadly, not all decisions can be quick over-and-done with decisions like I'd prefer most decisions to be!
I found comfort in Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE."
All this to say, I've been spending more time in prayer and this morning I picked up one of my books and inside there is a message to me written by the author, 'Follow Your Heart, Sarah' and I instantly got annoyed. I was annoyed for two reasons, one I don't trust my heart and two how am I even to clearly determine what my heart is saying? If I trusted my heart or should I say if I ONLY trusted my heart, who knows what kind of life I would be living. I say I don't trust my heart because I feel only God can lead this broken girl around. Please don't mistake me for what I'm trying to convey. I get that people say "Follow Your Heart" so they'll listen to what they think truly matters and make wise decisions. What I am trying to express is that I don't want to listen to only what I THINK truly matters and I believe all wisdom comes from the Lord. Only when I am being led by the Lord, what convictions I feel the Holy Spirit is making clear to me, and through prayer and God's direction, and yes a little of listening to the ol'ticker, do I find the best answers. Sometimes I may need slammed in the face with the right answer or a door to literally open right in front of me to get where He is leading, but I like to think I can be patient and wait for his voice to direct me.
So if you are making a large decision out there or maybe you are having a to make many little decisions that can change the course that your life is going right now. Maybe both decisions are great answers you just need to choose one. Maybe you feel like you are standing in the middle of a fork in the road and just have no clue where to even begin to step. Take heart! Know that the Lord above everything has a plan for you and he has promised to take care of you. Just take one step and ask for God's direction and have confidence that he will make your crooked ways straight, my friend!
And also...be careful to listen to advice like "Follow Your Heart", which often leads to following your ever-changing emotions. Follow God's call for you and if you can't hear him at the moment, just keep moving. Take a step in what you think might be the best decision and know that if it isn't, and you are praying fervently God will provide.
I posted this earlier, but I think it is relevant to this post as well. Thank you Beth Moore for writing this pledge in your "Believing God" book! I find that saying these words help me often.
God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
You are who God says you are.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's word is alive and active in me.
