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| "I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6 |
There are times when I wish the way was as clearly marked as this. There aren't any doubts or questions about going the right way or doing the right thing. It makes the decision process so much easier. Now that the doors are open for me to make decisions regarding only my son and myself I find that I'm burdened with fear and indecision. Where do I go? What do I do?
Fear is a normal feeling, but I have learned to use it to grow stronger in faith and not let it overwhelm me. My God is mightier than any emotion. Turning fear against itself has been an amazing exercise for my faith. Sure many times throughout the day fear has tried to overwhelm me, but it is not a feeling I cannot overcome.
Making the right decisions is a little harder for me. I write down the pros and cons, weigh the benefits against the consequences, but I still want to make the right choices. Before my son was born it was much easier living with the consequences. What also makes this more difficult is when there isn't much time to make a decision. The choice must be made now.
Yesterday, while listening to my pastor speak about Hezekiah, he also mentioned prayer. I'm sorry to say I missed the rest of the sermon because my mind wouldn't let go of what he said. I started questioning my prayer time. Prayer is a major component in my life, and since reading Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer my time in prayer each morning has become a much more humble experience.
The message I received was that prayer is not a way of bargaining with or testing God. I have known for years not to go to God asking that He do something for me and I will do something for Him. I also know His love will never fail me. But, have I been bargaining with Him about the decisions I need to make?
Then I remembered The Lord's prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen
Is there a need for any other prayer? Doesn't that answer all questions about the choices I need to make? May God's will be done!
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen
Is there a need for any other prayer? Doesn't that answer all questions about the choices I need to make? May God's will be done!
I get this. Utimately, I believe God's Will be done no whether I jump on board or not. I believe we have choices to make and he allows that. But what if He has a better idea for me life and i miss out on it by making the wrong choice...then I get overwealmed with fear and the inability to decide. So I take comfort in just asking him for wisdom and moving on. Even the areas where I have chosen the wrong path, He seems to work it out for the best in some way that I later understand.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean, Shanda. Being overwhelmed and fearful are not of God, and I need to remind myself of that daily. Thank you for stopping by. Happy 4th of July.
ReplyDeleteI find that keeping a prayer in my heart at all times, essentially keeping the lines open between me and my Father prepares me to receive, even at a moment's notice. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean when you say "even the areas where I have chosen the wrong path, He seems to work it out for the best in some way" Shanda!
ReplyDeleteSince I was a little girl I always knew I was supposed to be a primary teacher at a Christian school and all through school I knew this is where I was going. I enrolled when finishing highschool and was going great for a year & a half before disaster struck - my bf (with whom I'd embarked on a physical relationship) ended our relationship which completely shattered me. I spent the following 4-5 years going out, sleeping with randoms and just basically ignoring God and his plans for my life (stopped going to church, failed out of uni and didn't go back!). Anyway, over a number of difficult years I gradually came back to the church and a Christian youth group and when I fell pregnant with my daughter and had her (to an old friend who decided to be friend no longer and stay away from any involvement in our lives), God was able to draw me back. Since giving birth I have gone back to uni towards primary teaching again, and have found a home church where my main group of friends are now from.
He knew I had some things to work out - and was patient enough to let me choose to 'do it for myself' (miserably) as he knew I would return. I Love that about Him!!
I enjoyed reading your blog today. I feel much like you. You want to do God's will but sometimes it hard to find that out. Praying is a big part of our choices. Just a thought that comes to mind from the scriptures. We are told to study it out in our mind and then make a decision. Pray to know if this is God's will too. If you feel good about your choice that is the right answer. If you have stupor of thought then it is not right.
ReplyDeleteOne of our big tests in life is align our will with his. I still feel like an infant in this process.In your case you have a decision to make that is very important. I am sure God hears and will answer your prayers.
Blessings to you!
Hi Lynda,
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a wonderful July 4th and that your mother is settling in:) It is so much harder to make decision when you must consider other needs beside your own. My husband loves to tease me that I analyze into paralysis when it comes to decisions. Praying that you find the answers soon.
Hi Lynda,
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a fun 4th and enjoyed time with your family. Decision making for ourselves can be tough and its even tougher when we have to think about how our choices will effect those we love too. I can relate for sure about not knowing which way to go. God's will be done, yes that is easy to hear, but so difficult for me to trust that everything is in God's time, not mine. I pray you continue to seek God's wisdom and understanding through all your days and decisions!
Dear Friend,
ReplyDeleteI'm catching up after being away...thankful you ended up in "my column"...praying for you.
I was at a church this weekend where there the whole message was about Jesus' need to meet with God in solitude..for wisdom and direction.
Praying you'll sense this kind of clarity as well.
You are an amazing lady Lynda.
I felt what you meant when you wrote that your son changes everything...praying for wisdom and God's clear direction.
You have been such a blessing in my life Lynda.
it is the perfect prayer. It's the pattern I follow when I pray – to make sure I cover all the bases. And only a small part of it – although still a part – is the "gimme gimme, help me help me" part of the prayer. It's there – but it's small.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't remember who said this, but it goes something like," prayer is not about bending God's will to ours it's about bending our will to God's" I kind of think that's right along the lines of what you're saying here. I hearted this today. Thank you for it. God bless and keep you and all of yours Lynda.
Yes, God's will is the answer. Keeping the Lord's Prayer as a part of daily life reminds us of this. Thank you for helping me remember this.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Pamela