Each day, we are faced with a myriad of decisions and questions. It’s a part of life. For those battling fear and crippling anxiety, that decision process can easily get muddled. As the line between rational and irrational fear becomes blurred, decisions become difficult.
How can we know what to do when faced with a choice? For decisions regarding sin and obedience, the right choice is obvious. The Bible lays out what is right and what is wrong. There should be no confusion with issues clearly outlined in the Bible.
But, what about things that aren’t in the Bible–things like: “Should I take this job?” or “Is this the right medication for me?” or “Should I go to the grocery store, even though I’m afraid?” Answers to these questions are not so obvious.
Does that mean we are left to make our own choices? I don’t believe so. Looking at the life of Jesus as the example of how to live, I see a common pattern in how Jesus made decisions: he did nothing unless he heard or saw his Father do it. Jesus said, “I assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does” (John 5:19). Jesus did not have to make any decisions. He simply did what the Father instructed him to do.
Do you think all of Jesus’ prayers were answered, prayers of healing, deliverance, salvation, wisdom? Yes. Do you think God would answer our prayers if we prayed only what he wanted us to pray? Many times, we pray for things because it’s what we want, rather than what God wants. I believe when we pray according to what God wants, according to his will, our prayers will be answered. “We can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for” (1 John 5:14-15).
So, when you’re faced with a difficult decision, and you don’t know what to do, take a few moments to find out what God is doing in this situation. Find out what his will is. Listen carefully with your heart. Give him the opportunity to speak his will in the situation.
Can we really hear the voice of God? Jesus, after all, was the Son of God, so it must have been easy for him to “hear” his Father. Yes, Jesus was the Son of God, but he lived on this earth as a man. His life was an example of how we should live. And, he made a way for us to come to the Father. Through Jesus, we have direct access to the throne of God (Hebrews 4:16). Through Jesus, we can come to the Father. “My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
For more information on learning how to tune into God’s voice, check out My Journey with God.
Prayer: Father, this week, I will tune my spirit to your Spirit. I will listen for your voice to guide me and lead me along the best pathway for my life (Psalm 32:8).
