If making good decisions only meant drawing up a list of pros and cons and choosing the optimal outcome, we would never need faith.
What do you do when you’re faced with a difficult decision?
If you’re a person of faith, the first step is to look in the Scriptures and pray.
What if God still remains silent?
I’ve come across some interesting explanations throughout the years:
… Maybe there’s a hidden sin keeping you from hearing from God.
… Maybe you’re not walking in God’s will.
… Maybe you lack faith.
In other words, Try harder.
This advice is misleadingly harmful because it takes our focus away from trusting God. Under this light, God becomes a harsh judge, withholding much needed wisdom and help.
These doubts put us on the slippery slope of hunting for God’s will, rather than seeking His guidance. It discourages us from connecting with God. We turn from confiding in Him, to trying to fix ourselves. We incorrectly conclude God must be hiding the answer from us because there is something wrong with us.
This Is The Time
This is the wrong mindset to take when we are trying to make tough decisions. When we’re at a fork in the road and the stakes are high — when either choices look equally good or equally menacing — that is the time to totally, completely, and foolishly trust in God’s unconditional commitment to us.
When we’re making a difficult decision and God seems silent — This is the time to —
* Remember we are like sheep and He is the Shepherd. He will not let us fall off the cliff.
* Draw near to God. He will draw near to us, even if we do not hear Him in that moment.
* Hold onto radical, unconditional grace. We came to Him because His love is perfect, not because we are.
* Be bold, ask for wisdom, wise counsel — taking into account circumstance and common sense — and make the best decision, trusting God will use the outcome to make us more like Christ.
* Cast all our cares on Him, even as we feel anxious, worried, and doubtful.
The true test in making tough decisions is how much we’re willing to bet that God is on our side.
Do I really believe in God’s grace and unconditional favor?
Do I value spiritual fruit over external success?
These are the questions I ask myself whenever I struggle with a tough decision. When my head and heart can answer yes, I am free to make my choice.
One thing is certain. If I can keep my faith intact, I can be confident God will guide my steps.
So can you.
Therefore they said to Him,
“What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
~ John 6:28, 29
Jesus responds to the crowd
when they ask for a sign.
What encourages you to make tough decisions?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN — FAITH BARISTA JAM! ***
Faith Barista Jam Thursdays — I serve up a topic of faith, you write the post. Keep faith fresh with a faith prompt and add your voice to this community.
Today’s topic: Making Tough Choices?
Submit your post on today’s topic by clicking on the blue button below “Add Your Link”. If you don’t have a blog, share by posting a comment.
Next week’s 10/21 Topic: How Does Your Faith Connect To Your Happiness?
Approach it any way you feel inspired! Only required ingredient: keep it real. Thanks for serving your personal brews!
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It’s a jam session. As time allows, say hi & drop a comment when visiting the community faith blends!
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29 Comments
Boy..I’ve heard all your “wrong answers” before!! Thankfully, God put speakers of His truth in my life, and I’ve learned the right ways since then!!
Isn’t it fun to grow in Him?! Change is good when we are drawing near to Jesus!
.-= marina bromley´s last blog ..This was only a test =-.
Hey Bonnie, I liked the way you put it – “Remember we are like sheep and He is the Shepherd. He will not let us fall off the cliff.” This is so true. We really need to “foolishly trust in God’s unconditional commitment to us.”. I guess this just stems from our understanding of who we are in Him. When we get that right, we’re headed on the right path.
I was challenged by your statement, ‘how much we’re willing to bet that God is on our side’. I struggle with that sometimes – with believing that God is really willing my good, rather than willing to hurt me. Thanks for the thought to ponder!
I’ve heard those same misleading thoughts before. You are so right that is a slippery slope. We can’t change ourselves to hear God’s voice. We just have to keep trusting that we will even if he feels silent at the moment.
.-= Amy Nabors´s last blog ..Learning to Be Still =-.
Thank you! This post is exactly what I needed. I have been struggling with making a decision and it just didn’t sit well with me and I couldn’t figure out why. Thank you for sheddng light on such an interesting approach to making decisions.
.-= Myrtle´s last blog ..Making Hard Decisions =-.
I know the feeling — being a graduate student in the final year, my mind is constantly filled with questions about the future. The biggest thing I have to remember is to listen because my doubts, my desires tend to question what I know I should do. Here’s a question I’ve been dealing with lately:
I was humming a chr song that was stuck in my head and started thinking about all the blessings God has sent my way over the past couple of years I lessons learned, everyday miracles, and sign posts he’s “pushed” me towards. I just was content and had that joyful reflective feeling in my soul. And then the thought hit me. I was thinking about how passionate I feel about my faith and thinking of friends who feel the same. However, this summer – really this whole past year – has exposed me to many people just as passionate though not always about the same faith. That eternal question hit me of “what about the others that feel this passionate about their Islamic or Jewish faith. How am I certain they’re wrong when we feel the same unswearing devotion? How can I tell them they’re wrong when I myself experience the same feeling about my faith?” I know the pat answer of “Because we hold the one true faith.” But was just struck and challenged by the question.
A friend of mine was here to visit this weekend and shared with me that his mentor had recently challenged him to think about and openly look for ways to verbally share his faith everyday.
Coupling these two things together along with the learning from all people, loving people where they are, and truth with love I’ve always believed in, I was thinking about how this reconciles together. How to both reinforce/respect a person and yet challenge them in what they are thinking. This is just musings I had on the Metro and was eager to hear others thoughts about the same subject.
Great counsel for making godly decisions! More & more I realize that God is a relational being and walking daily with Him is my best way to ensure I am in His will. We are His sheep & we know His voice. It doesn’t have to be difficult if we know Who we’re listening for. 🙂
.-= Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..At least I don’t spit on myself =-.
Ah, those voices we listen to, instead of listening to our God heart. I am doing a study on David, and how, he , first listened his God heart, rather than the voices of all who were ready to give advice. We don’t need a committee to tell us what we know or how to decide, when we can boldly act, because God is there. Je will never leave us or forsake us. Nor is He out to destroy us.
[…] friend Bonnie, over at Faith Barista, is asking the question "How does your faith affect big decisions or tough choices in your […]
Wonderful post Bonnie!
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..The Origins of Halloween =-.
This is the first day I’ve read your blog. I am so thankful to see you call those explanations misleadingly harmful. They are like telling someone who is trying to hear God that they are at fault and leaving them hanging. I am a lifelong Christian, but was raised with some old-fashioned thoughts that you don’t bother God with the small everyday stuff and the idea that I’ll probably never “hear” God. So I’ve never learned how to listen. How do I know when the answer is of God and not myself? How do I know if I’m not hearing or if He is saying “wait”?
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Melissa Brotherton, M Klein. M Klein said: http://ow.ly/2ToQo The Faith Difference: Making Tough Choices […]
I really enjoyed this post, Bonnie, and relate well to it.
One of the things that encourages me in making hard decisions is Romans 8:28-29. Even if I blow it, and I often do misunderstand what God has said or His timing, He’s got a plan to work even that for His good.
I’m so grateful for that and for the fact that He is always there to guide our steps.
.-= Melinda Lancaster´s last blog ..Interview with Carol Kent =-.
Faith does make a difference and its in the hard times that Faith trumps all else!! I have been in the valley and I have walked through many storms, but my faith always staid strong!! OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL!!! HE will never leave us nor forsake us!!!
Its like the old poem Footprints in the Sand…there were two sets of prints and then there was one…the one set was JESUS….HE was carrying you, In faith WE ARE NEVER ALONE…..JESUS IS RIGHT THERE TO CARRY US THROUGH!!!!
PTL!! 🙂
.-= Tina´s last blog ..Dependency =-.
Thank you for stopping by last week(: I needed to read this today. It’s a post for me in due season.
.-= Gertha´s last blog ..Classical it is! =-.
Trusting God even when it seems foolish is the hardest thing to do. It never gets easier, but every time we choose to trust Him, we become more confident in who He is in our lives.
For me its’ always about my relationship with Christ. I don’t know no other way for me to live then to have Him. I trust Him more then anything.
.-= desiray´s last blog ..TempleYour Body =-.
I like this, Bonnie. About a year ago I decided that I needed to really believe James 1:5-6 instead of just reading it. So I began to thank God in advance for the wisdom he was going to give me, and tried to be more confident that he did indeed answer my prayer for wisdom later. It’s helped.
Another good jam session. Thanks for the great topic!
.-= Lisa notes…´s last blog ..How to make a decision =-.
Having trust in God to guide me when I make a tough decision is what encourages me. I know that if I prayed bout it first and my hearts in the right place everything should work out for His glory.
Great words of wisdom Bonnie!
.-= Kevin Martineau´s last blog ..Do you believe that God can use you despite your flaws =-.
I shyed away from sharing my faith jam post this week. It was written but as i looked through it i was really cross at myself for the anger and despair that were in my words. I am struggling at the moment to find my peace to find the patience i need to have. I know God has plans for me yet im so impatient and so cross.
I love your post and you are so right im just in hiding from the hard decisions at the moment or just fed up of making them.
.-= Sara´s last blog ..A Letter for Heaven =-.
I didn’t get to read your post yesterday, and now I know it was for the best. God showed me some things last night in prayer that made all of this a confirmation to me. I won’t go into it, but great post, Bonnie. Thank you. He loves us and longs for us to have His wisdom. I pursue it because I love Him and because He loves me…
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..Light Friday Hit List- 10-15-10 =-.
Another home run, Bonnie! Trusting God does look like foolishness to those who don’t know him, doesn’t it? Believing that God is who he says he is and will do what he promised is the anchor for taking a leap into the unknown. Thanks again for hosting this forum to think, write, and learn.
.-= Sheryl´s last blog ..Getting It Right =-.
Love the verse you posted. It’s our job to believe, not try to figure everything out. God can take care of the gray when we’re making decisions. Nice post!
.-= Alex Marestaing´s last blog ..time =-.
Hi Bonnie!
Late again but at least not as late as I usually am! Once again you had a wonderful subject! It provided me with a revelation and I hope God blesses you for it! Thank you and Love you!! Grandma Patty Ann
.-= Grandma Patty Ann´s last blog ..Can Faith Change a Personality =-.
This really jumped off the page at me Bonnie:
“The true test in making tough decisions is how much we’re willing to bet that God is on our side.”
Thank you for highlighting the thinking behind the doing!!
Shaunie
.-= Shaunie Friday´s last blog ..Ek Kaleo =-.
You know what my problem is………I usually don’t get encouraged or REALLY think about “tough” decisions. I just do it! {Yes, Nike comes to mind…what a slogan!}
I react. I act. I speak.
Then…..it could be minutes, hours, or days later I stop and think. Hmmm. What will be the consequence to my action? My words? My reaction? Will I hurt some one? Will I make them laugh? Will I totally do the opposite of what I thought I was intending to do? UGH!! These are tough decisions.
But, I didn’t give it any thought. I just “did” it!
Today is THE day. From now on I am going to think about others feelings and possible feelings to MY words and actions. I will have God their to help guide me in the right direction.
What’s sad is…some times what is the best action on my part, my heart, and for God…isn’t always what the other person wants to hear or see. So feelings may still be hurt along the way. Then, I can only pray we get through it again.
{OK…that hit waaaay too close to home}
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