Dear Lord; Good evening Father!
Decisions; life is full of them. Every single day we’re called upon to make choices that impact our lives, and in many cases the lives of those around us. Some are small, simple ones such as what to have for lunch (although that never seems to be simple in my office for some reason…), and others, well, are not so simple. Either way, our lives are shaped by the decisions we make, and the paths we follow.
Case in point:
My wife Shannon is in the throes of a fairly significant decision; one that could have both short and long-term consequences, but also the potential for significant life-changing benefits. Like all choices of this kind, there are a number of back-and-forth arguments on both sides of the equation, making the correct path less than obvious. Sitting down with her and talking about it this evening, we hashed it out from nearly every side we could come up with, and in the end were left with a couple piles of “what if” scenarios. Finally, I asked her a simple question;
Have you prayed about it?
She indicated she had, and that during that discussion with You Father, You told her to follow her heart. While I believe she would have preferred a “Do this and everything will work out.” answer, You instead left her to determine what her heart truly is leading her to do, and the knowledge that You’re behind her when she does.
“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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:5-6 (NIV)
I think that a great many of Your answers to our prayers are like this Lord. We’ve become a “quick fix” society and want instant solutions to our problems, but You instead use these crossroads in our lives to help us to grow and to learn. Just because You don’t give us concrete answers to our pleas doesn’t mean You don’t have the solutions, simply that we need to pay closer attention to Your Truths and use those resources to do what we know to be right.
Heavenly Father, please guide and enlighten us to make the decisions that best serve Your Plan for us. Please help filter out the “noise” around us which can lead us astray, and allow us to focus on Your Voice so as to choose the best path forward. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
I so dislike making decisions!! I always say “I just want someone to tell me exactly what to do!” I do know that God has a plan, I just have to listen to Him and let Him guide my steps. Praying for Shannon!
Thank you Jenifer! Life decisions are always difficult to make, especially when they can effect so many things. Thank you for the prayers!
Have a Blessed Day!
Shannon’s path is that of concern, family, life, and faith that will be lead in the correct direction. The points are there on both sides. We pray everyday that the right choices will be made on all phases of our lives. The light will come. My prayers are with both of you in regards to a leap of faith.
Thank you Dy. Your friendship, assistance and prayers are always appreciated!
Have a Blessed Day!
Sometimes God gives clear answers, and other times we just have to take that first step not really knowing where God is leading. If we live our lives in His will, then we can make those decisions with a little more confidence. We must remember that God is always there with us – we don’t go alone.
Thank you Lisa… We very much feel His Guidance in our lives and that’s truly a comfort!
Have a Blessed Day!
David would often ask the Lord for instructions, such as in 2 Samuel 5:19 and God would give him precise answers. Sometimes I long for that immediacy, when I have decisions to make in a ‘hurry’.
However, Peace is my perfect indicator of whether I think I have made the right choice or not.
My prayers are also with you and your wife Phil.
Thank you Carole! That’s a great point; Peace is a wonderful indicator of when we’re making the right decision.
Have a Blessed Day!
Praying for wisdom is so important. The Lord loves to honor hearts that are seeking His way. It shows humility and our need for him. Pray and move forward and trust. Great post!
Thank you Eileen! I find that the more I pray about each day, the more emboldened I feel that God’s truly an integral part of my decisions.
Have a Blessed Day!
Thanks for sharing your struggle here Phil. Fingers crossed and hoping to hear it all went according to plan. Can’t remember where, but I read in the Bible recently about every dat being planned out ahead of time by our loving Heavenly Father. Couple that with active trust that God loves you and your wife—if God is for us who can stand against us? Easy to type but tough to believe.
I like the way the question was asked: ‘did you pray about it?’ I once had a group of kids wanting to play a game and I stupidly suggested we ‘pray that we’d have fun’. One of the kids said ‘naw, let’s just play’, but another wisely said ‘I’d rather pray about orbital play!’
Thank you Phil, and welcome! “Active trust” is a great way to put it, and we certainly try to maintain that perspective!
Thanks again for visiting the site, and I hope you’ll come back soon!
Have a Blessed Day!
A couple of months ago I taught a bible study lesson on the Book of James and one thing I learned about wisdom that James was saying is when we have decisions to make we must ask for wisdom, but what happens is that we don’t because we are afraid God won’t give us what we want so we don’t always ask for wisdom. We have to ask because we don’t know what is best we think we at times. Only later to find that we messed it up. Great post!
Great point Desiray… There’s quite a bit to be learned in James, that’s for sure! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I’m like Jenifer… please just tell me what to do! I have been in turmoil over whether or not to go and try to see my grandma before she passes away. It’s not so easy to get to her and not quick and she could go any minute. Anyway, my decision isn’t life-changing as Shannon’s is, but it has still been hard! I am going and I know I won’t regret it… but I might have regretted not going! Praying over Shannon’s choice and I am certain God will bless it!
I’ve read your post on the situation with your Grandmother at M.O.M. Heidi, and I’ve certainly had you in my thoughts and prayers. I have no doubt that God will be by your side throughout.
Have a Blessed Day!