decisions

Do you find yourself having a hard time making some decisions? I know I do. I wasn’t always this way. Well, maybe in the little things like where to go to eat? What to wear today? What should I make for dinner? For me, I consider those small decisions. Decisions that I don’t really need to think about or pray about. Yes, I did say pray about. I know there are some that may believe you need to pray about what to eat for dinner, or what to wear or where to go to eat. For me, I know God gave me a brain and a mind so those should be easy decisions because of how God created me.

I am talking about the big decisions. Ones like: Do I buy a newer car, house, furniture? Do I sell my business? Where do I go to church? Do I really need to join that church? Do I tithe? What do I tithe off of? Do I take out a loan to pay off my debt? Do I really need to start that ministry? Do I quit my job? Do I talk to my grown, married kids about things I see? Do I really need to go on that vacation? Do I spend money I don’t have for something I don’t need? And many more. Yes, some of these are decisions I have had to make on my own because they are decisions I used to make with my husband. Yes, I have the Lord and without that small whisper in my ear I know I would make some of the wrong decisions. And still do at times because I don’t always listen.

 Isn’t that how life is though? A series of making decisions, right or wrong. Times of listening and at times shutting off that small whisper of the Holy Spirit. A bible verse that speaks to this is:

John 14:16-17 (ESV) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. The word Helper also means advisor, counselor. That means when I am trying to make a big decision, I need to listen to that whisper. To know that the Lord has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in me and help me in my decision making.

For me, I know if I must force a decision or talk myself into it, it is probably me trying to get what I want. I know a few things about decisions. I know that unasked for counsel is unwanted counsel. I know if the Lord is suppling my needs, He has given me what I need. (It’s the want that gets me.) I know for the most part, I don’t need newer things but to be a good steward of what I do have. When I do need something it is ok to get it but I know I may need to wait a bit or save for it. I know the Bible doesn’t say specifically to “join a church” but it does say to:

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 (ESV)

I know the Bible talks about tithing by testing Him to see if He won’t give you more than you can think of.

Malachi 3:10 (ESV) Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 

So, those are the things I know. I am not making decisions on my own. I have a Heavenly Father who helps me along the way. I also surround myself with those who love me and although they may not understand all I am going through and struggling with, they pray for me, are my sounding board, don’t judge or say I should be in a different place than where I am. They encourage me and offer advice when I need it, and even sometimes when I don’t, because they love me and want what is best for me.

 Are you having a difficult time making a big decision today? I am and I keep putting it off because it means I am doing something pretty significant without Mark. I have made more decisions than I can count since Mark has been gone but this one is really hitting close to home. I did ministry with Mark almost from day one of our marriage and been in church with him. I now have to make a decision on where to put my church roots down and I don’t want to, but I know I need to. I know all the right answers but it’s just hard. I plan to live a long life and according to my girls and my grandkids I can’t ever leave them so I know having a church home will be important to me. And I want my kids and grandkids to also understand the importance of church. Not just a building, I know, but a lifetime relationship with the Lord.

What decision are you having a difficult time making? If there is one, just ask the Lord to reveal His answer to you and really listen. Ask your closest family and friends for counsel and advise. Proverbs 11:14 (ESV) says:Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Let the Lord be that safety for you.

 Confident in His love,

Isaiah 54:10