National Association of Christian Ministers Leadership Series
By Michael Mooney, NACM Exec. Elder
There seems to be a distorted concept that all decisions are “either or” and “right or wrong”. While it is true that some decisions are wrong (such as sin), in many cases of everyday life our decisions are “gray” and are neither black nor white. In such cases, it is all the more difficult to discern the path we should take.
The Apostle Peter said that believers should tell the Father of their troubles because He cares (5:7). God is concerned with the anxieties of believers, such which are often caused by the need to make high risk decisions. God is never too busy for the troubles of His children. Jesus said that not even one sparrow falls to the ground without the Father’s interest in knowing it (Mat 10:29). For this reason, Jesus said to ask of God, and He will provide (Mat 7:7).
It is not God’s will that His children be troubled with the fears caused by this world, but rather that there be peace (Jo 14:27). Indecisiveness is far from a place of rest, and long enough in this condition can lead to instability (James 1:8). For this reason, God’s word instructs believers to ask God for wisdom and direction, declaring that it is His pleasure to provide it abundantly (James 1:5). Often the answer has already been given by the illuminating guidance of scripture (Psa 119:105).
In the midst of abstract situations where it is difficult to get clarity about how to respond, it becomes all too easy to rely upon human reasoning that leads astray (Pro 16:25). However, God’s ways and thoughts are not like those of finite men (Isa 55:8). The wisdom of Solomon is that believers should not rely solely on their human abilities to reason, but rather to acknowledge God in their decisions with the expectation that He will offer providential direction (Pro 3:5-6). No matter what decision is made, the children of God can rest assured that He is in control of the outcome (Pro 16:9, 33), and working all of it together for His sovereign goodness (Rom 8:28). Therefore, believers can rest assured that God who takes pleasure in walking with them directs their paths (Psa37:23-25)!
In light of the above, a believer really cannot make the “wrong decision” (unrelated to sin) because God will use it for good by teaching them to be more like Him. What a comfort that is.
Often we go about praying for God’s direction, but at some point that must translate into believing that we received His guidance. How can we know? This formula may help (although it is not as exact as math, and requires discernment from the Holy Spirit):
Godly Desire + Opportunity = Very likely God’s will
Godly Desire
Psa 37:4 MKJV
(4) Delight yourself also in Jehovah, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Pro 16:3 MKJV
(3) Roll your works upon Jehovah, and your thoughts shall be established.
Opportunity
Mat 7:7 MKJV
(7) Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.
God’s Will
Pro 16:9 MKJV
(9) A man’s heart plans his way, but Jehovah directs his steps.
Godly Desire + Opportunity = Very likely Gods will
Reflective Questions:
1) How can you immediately begin using this formula in your life?
2) Do you think this formula will bring you closer to God’s will in your decision-making?
3) How do you respond when you make decisions that do not work out, but you sincerely believed that your choice was God’s will?
4) Does God’s will always have to “work out” according to our expectations?
