“Facing Decisions”
“Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right.”
I stumbled across this quote as I walked through a season of facing non-stop difficult decisions. Have you ever faced not one tough decision, but what felt like a never-ending cycle of them? You know, the ones that keep resurfacing? We contemplate, pray, weigh the pros and cons, arrive at what feels like a confident choice, take action, then find ourselves staring at another one. Maybe you have taken on the responsibility of caring for a parent with dementia. Perhaps, you are going through financial hardships or needing a career change; the circumstances vary, but the responsibility remains. We have to face the concern, find the answer, and take a leap of faith with the decision we make.
The latter part of that sentence is what began to weigh heavy on my heart and mind during my season of hard decisions. I often found my thoughts replicating a multiple-choice test in my head being fearful of choosing the wrong one. As if God was seated on His throne peering down echoing, “Awww Adrienne, you chose the wrong one! I’m sorry, the outcome won’t go well for you,” and a dark eerie path lied ahead.
This image truly began to grip me as I contemplated different approaches and cried out for God to speak answers to me. Moses got a bellowing echo from the burning bush, Jacob had a detailed dream, and Balaam talked smack with a donkey! Any of those scenarios sounded good to me, I just needed The Lord to pick one and provide the direction!
A dear friend spoke truth to me when I revealed my elementary mind game. She said, “God is not looking for ways to bring doom upon you, He is honoring your desire to make the right decision and He is ready and willing to guide you along the path of life.” Just being reminded of this image gave me a breath of air. I had bogged myself down with worry, doubt, fear and control that God never intended me to carry. Sure, I needed to contemplate things, gain perspective, weigh the odds, but ceasing and striving to the point of fear was not from God.
I love reading the books of the Bible in depth, but sometimes my mind wants to rest and fall into words that resonate with the mental exhaustion being carried and gain perspective on the path being walked. Opening my Bible to Psalms and Proverbs never fails me….
“Hear, O children, the instruction of a father, and pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment. For I give you good doctrine; do not turn away from my instruction. When I was a son with my father (David), tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba), he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live. Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]. Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a garland of grace; she will present you with a crown of beauty and glory.” Hear, my son, and accept my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded [for your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you will not stumble,” Proverbs 4:1-12 AMP.
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word,” and “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws,” Psalms 119:28 and 30.
As my mind became filled with reassuring words and clarifying thoughts, I was reminded of who God really is, a way maker. He goes before us, stands behind us and walks beside us. He does not abandon us nor dismiss us when our heart desires His will.
Sorting through emotions and circumstances to arrive at decisions in life is inevitable, but carrying fear or every ‘what if’ scenario across our backs was never intended by God. Seeking clarity from His Word and searching for discernment will never fail, but recognizing how to cease striving and surrender is key.
I taught my youngest daughter Psalms 119:28 years ago, never knowing the depth of the Scripture. Enjoy this video of a precious voice speaking a loud truth and search for wisdom in His Word.
