Acting on God’s Decisions

‘…Your words…were my joy and my heart’s delight...’ Jeremiah 15:16 NIV

Together they built and pastored a great church. The husband was a gifted preacher and musician who wrote songs and led worship. His wife was a Bible teacher who knew God and taught His Word skilfully. But when he died, she experienced months of depression before eventually bouncing back. Someone who says, ‘If you really love God and walk according to His Word you will never get depressed,’ has clearly never read the Scriptures or ever been depressed. Elijah called down fire from Heaven in a spectacular victory, yet he became so depressed in the aftermath that he wanted to die. ‘…It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life…’ (1 Kings 19:4 NKJV) That’s major–league depression! When you try to act super–spiritual and allow people to think you never battle in areas like fear, failure, finances, family or feelings, you give them a complex and cause them to walk away feeling they’re not spiritual or mature enough to be used by God. Jesus uncovered Himself and washed His disciples’ feet. Then He told them to do the same for one another. You are never more effective than when you are transparent. Knowing that leadership decisions had to be made concerning the future of their church, this pastor’s wife felt overwhelmed and prayed, ‘Lord, I don’t know how to make all these decisions.’ God told her, ‘I have already made every decision concerning you and the church. My will was established in the counsels of eternity. All you have to do is decide today what I have already decided yesterday, and tomorrow you will walk in My blessings and benefits.’