‘…O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.’ Psalm 25:4 NLT
Even simple decisions can be stressful. Ever watch a child struggle to choose between chocolate or strawberry ice cream? And the bigger decisions-like whom to marry, which career to choose, whether to buy a house or to undergo high-risk surgery etc.-mean life can be nerve-racking! But you can reduce your stress level by following these Biblical principles: (1) Do the research. ‘Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused.’ (Proverbs 18:13 NCV) Get all the facts and avoid making decisions you’ll regret. Knowledge has never been more accessible-through the internet, helpful books, and especially God’s Word: ‘Your commands…are my constant guide.’ (Psalm 119:98 NLT) (2) Talk to God. ‘Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.’ Consulting God helps prevent premature decisions, clarifies your priorities and prepares you to hear His counsel. Is God interested in your decisions? Yes. ‘The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.’ (Psalm 37:23 NLT) (3) Be open to new ideas. Don’t get trapped in old mind-sets. ‘An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.’ (Proverbs 18:15 NRS) Clinging to the familiar can be crippling. God may choose to lead you along a new path of fresh insight. So breathe deeply, seek His wisdom, and open up your heart to receive it. (4) Get advice from trusted friends. ‘It’s a hard road that’s walked alone,’ says an old Celtic proverb. So follow Solomon’s counsel: ‘A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.’ (Proverbs 12:15 TLB)
SoulFood: 2 Sam 14:21-17:13, Luke 10:25-37, Ps 78:17-31, Pr 16:26-30
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2012
