When I encounter 'a tough decision', or 'precarious encounter', or even just a 'risky predicament', I tend to subconsciously assess things and find the easy way, or the safe way, and maybe even just the most efficient way to resolve the decision, the encounter, or the predicament. Seems possible, right? No one would fault me for doing what most would agree was a mature approach to 'woes' in my life. After-all, as the saying goes; "Everyone else is Doing It; Why Can't We?", right! Well, 'the safe' way isn't the 'trusting God way' most the time.
Do NOT construe that last sentence to even 'hint' that God's ways are risky, God's choices are precarious, or any of that other 'living on the edge' hype-nonsense. Rather, like Psalms 23:4 reminds us; "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.", which is to say that His protection is always around you when you encounter even 'the valley' in your life. Now, this is not to say, since His protection enwraps you, tear through 'the valley' without care or concern! The core point is, His guiding hand leads you 'through' those not-so-safe appearing encounters, even when His way may seem to be an unsafe, unintelligent, even unpopular solution. Rest on this other promise from Psalms 9:10, which encourages us; "And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." Now, that is a clear and concise promise from the Lord to lead and direct you, but also that He'll not leave you hanging out in the wind.
How?
Take an extra breath, an extra pause, maybe even an extra moment or two the next time you SO quickly analyze, assess, then decide a course of action. No, not second-guessing yourself or His calling/leading in your life. But, consider His peace in that moment, and honestly and vulnerably lay your heart and mind before the Lord; waiting on His leading for your answer.
Will you make a mistake?
Will you misstep His leading?
Will you fall by the wayside after all that extra time and consideration?
Sure, possibly, we are fallible. Do remember though, how great a mistake and misstep it is to not even try! At the outset, it will be tougher to take that extra moment to consider His will/leading for you. Over time, you will get in a groove with the process and overtime, it will be 2nd-nature for you.
See, John 12:26 confirms; "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.", which is surely much, much different from deciding a course of action based on probability factors, society pressures, or even just your own insecurities. Trusting God Ain't Safe, it's His calling... listen, follow, and be blessed!
By G W Bill Elliott Jr, MDiv
Article Source: When Trusting God Ain't Safe
Do NOT construe that last sentence to even 'hint' that God's ways are risky, God's choices are precarious, or any of that other 'living on the edge' hype-nonsense. Rather, like Psalms 23:4 reminds us; "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.", which is to say that His protection is always around you when you encounter even 'the valley' in your life. Now, this is not to say, since His protection enwraps you, tear through 'the valley' without care or concern! The core point is, His guiding hand leads you 'through' those not-so-safe appearing encounters, even when His way may seem to be an unsafe, unintelligent, even unpopular solution. Rest on this other promise from Psalms 9:10, which encourages us; "And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." Now, that is a clear and concise promise from the Lord to lead and direct you, but also that He'll not leave you hanging out in the wind.
How?
Take an extra breath, an extra pause, maybe even an extra moment or two the next time you SO quickly analyze, assess, then decide a course of action. No, not second-guessing yourself or His calling/leading in your life. But, consider His peace in that moment, and honestly and vulnerably lay your heart and mind before the Lord; waiting on His leading for your answer.
Will you make a mistake?
Will you misstep His leading?
Will you fall by the wayside after all that extra time and consideration?
Sure, possibly, we are fallible. Do remember though, how great a mistake and misstep it is to not even try! At the outset, it will be tougher to take that extra moment to consider His will/leading for you. Over time, you will get in a groove with the process and overtime, it will be 2nd-nature for you.
See, John 12:26 confirms; "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.", which is surely much, much different from deciding a course of action based on probability factors, society pressures, or even just your own insecurities. Trusting God Ain't Safe, it's His calling... listen, follow, and be blessed!
By G W Bill Elliott Jr, MDiv
Article Source: When Trusting God Ain't Safe