Let Me Think On It

 

 

 

 Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies – just because of the choices we make. 

I can’t tell you the amount of times I have made a decision “spur of the moment”. Not because I feel pressured, not because I have to “people please” but just because it felt right at the time.

More often than not, when I go into “act before I overthink” mode, I commit myself to an overabundance of activities that leave me exhausted, frustrated at myself for not pausing before accepting the tasks and at times a little resentful at the fact the activity existed in the first place (because it couldn’t possibly be my fault *cough*).

I can honestly say that until 2015 I would burn out at least twice a year, my health would hit rock bottom and I would have to withdraw from people just to rejuvenate. 

Thankfully I have re-discovered the secret to being wiser in living my life and making decisions.  In fact there is a whole book in the Bible full of gems of knowledge that I have been drawing on this year. These gems of wisdom have made such a difference to my decision making process and can be found in the book of Proverbs.

One verse in particular spoke volumes to me in regards to my spontaneous decision making:-

“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.” Proverbs 14:8 (NIV)

This verse made me stop and reconsider how I was going about things, I could see that there is wisdom in giving extra thought to the opportunities that come my way. 

I must admit that my worst “spontaneous” decision making occurs when both of the options offered to me are something that I know would make God happy.  Due to lessons learnt because I have over committed myself too many times to count, I have come to realise that just because both options are “good”, doesn’t mean it is what I am meant to do right now.

In order to be truly wise I need to pause to think, gather all the facts of what is actually required of me, marry it up with my schedule (which means wait until I get home and check what’s on the calendar), pray over it with God and then stop to listen for His guidance.

I know that discovering wisdom and applying that wisdom is a lifelong process.  I know that there will be times that I will slip into “spontaneous mode” and at times I may still make the wrong decision but I draw comfort in the promise that God will give wisdom to those who ask for it:-

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 (NIV)

What a relief to know that God promises to give wisdom to those who ask. What a comfort to know that we don’t have to doubt ourselves when making decisions when we recognise that God is truly in control, pause to think after gathering all the facts and stop to listen for God’s guidance.

I pray that you too will draw on this comfort on your decision making journey.

                                                                                                                                                                                               

References:       Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan

                         Image: www.orion-partners.com

                        

 

                        

 

There's Always a Silver Lining

 

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Last weekend was full of “firsts”.  My first trip driving into Sydney CBD, my first stay in a 4 star hotel all to see my first Dr Who Symphonic Spectacular which happened to be my son’s first concert. The planning for this weekend had been 2 months in the making.  40^th birthday money carefully spent on accommodation and advice sought from the hotel concierge regarding parking and timing of travel. I even ensured the weekend was covered with prayer, in particular for wisdom, good health and a smooth run.

On the day, everything went like clockwork, I found the carpark first go, things were looking up! But it didn’t take long for my stress free carefully planned trip to become a “where’s the paper bag I’m about to hyperventilate” afternoon, all because there were no parks.

It turns out the concierge had forgotten that a One Direction concert was on and there would be no parks, anywhere.  This is when my praying went into hyper mode, I prayed with every breath in and every breath out.  The driving around was only for about 2 hours which is tiny in the scheme of the entire weekend but being overtired and stressed made it feel like forever, the tears were flowing, I was calling people for help and yet my son and I never stopped praying.  Why you might ask? Why in the midst of the disappointment and crazy meltdowns did we keep on praying? Because there is one thing we knew for sure and it can be found in the book of Romans:-

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

I know that in the midst of whatever comes my way God already knows how I am going to react, He already knows what I need before I ask, He is always there for me to talk to, He knows exactly how my day is going to pan out and He knows what is best for me.

I don’t know why God waited.  I don’t know why I had to drive around praying for 1 hour in the final car park.   All I know is that even when I was in meltdown mode, never once did I forget that God had his hand on the situation.  I love the way Max Lucado writes about this in his book “A Gentle Thunder”:-

“Though you hear nothing, he is speaking. Though you see nothing, he is acting.  With God there are no accidents.  Every incident is intended to bring us closer to him.”

I am happy to say that God not only provided the carpark, but He blessed us unexpectedly when our tickets were “upgraded” enabling us to have a better view of the stage.  The blessings continued the following day when the parking station charged $20 instead of the $49 as quoted which ended up being $10 cheaper than car park we first went to.  A confirmation of God going ahead of my circumstance and putting into place what was best for me. 

I pray that throughout this week, no matter what comes your way, you are able to draw on God’s promise in Romans 8:28.

                                                                                                                                                                                               

References:       “Grace for the Moment: Inspiration for Each Day of the Year” Max Lucado

 

 

 

I Can Do All Things

 

 

I have believed for many years that I was hopeless at memorising verses from the Bible.  No matter how many times I would repeat a verse I just couldn’t seem to remember all the words or the reference.  In fact, I still remember how disheartened I was in Girls Brigade to watch the other girls getting their rewards for remembering the weekly memory verse while I froze and stumbled over the few words I could recall.

Isn’t it curious how we often label ourselves from the beliefs we form during childhood. 

Sometimes I spend so much time focusing on what I can’t do that I don’t stop to think about how far I have come.  The reality is I am no longer a child, I have a wonderful job that requires me to remember details about federal and state legislation that changes regularly, I can remember hundreds of songs, I (most of the time) remember all of my friends children’s names and I can remember the road rules. Just because I struggled when I was young over certain things doesn’t mean that is who I am now. 

This realisation came to me at Church last Sunday as I was listening to our Senior Pastor read God’s word.  He began “In the beginning……” whoop there it is! The words came flowing back to me “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” John 1:1.  It didn’t matter that I needed the first three words for the verse to come flooding back - It was a precious verse stored in the filing cabinets called “my memory” which was recalled at the right time.  I can no longer say that I can’t memorise verses because I just proved myself wrong!

In fact, given the right environment, there are many things I am capable of doing now that I have stated I am hopeless at doing in the past. The Bible has a great verse to meditate on in this regard:-

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phillipians 4:13

Lysa Terkeurst the author of “The Best Yes” has a helpful way of memorising this verse, it is the ten finger method – one word for every finger. What a great verse to remember every time we look at our hands!

You see, while it may take me longer than others to memorise God’s word, while I may have to use a concordance (or “google”) to help me find the book and verse reference, the wonderful fact is that any verse that I recall and can quote is God’s truth.  Looking back on all the years I had believed that I couldn’t learn verses off by heart, I can now see that all along God had been writing them on my heart and bringing them to mind when the time was right.

I pray that when you face a challenge or have to make a decision this week that you look at your hands and use your “ten fingers” to remember that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

                                                                                                                                                                                               

References: Image: https://laurencaroll.wordpress.com

 

 

 

Like It or Not Change Comes

 

 

I am a creature of habit. I like things occurring in a way that makes sense to me.  When something slips out of place and forces me to re-arrange my routine, or when I come to a fork in the road where I have to decide where I am supposed to be, I don’t particularly enjoy the process.  This happens even when I am prompted by God to try something new before I feel I am ready.  It’s at these times that I feel like I am back at square one, starting again, just like a baby taking their first steps. You know, I think that this is a big reason as to why change causes discomfort for so many of us.  When you are well into your journey of life and like to think you are an expert in your field, to have to start something new, when tragedy occurs or when you have to go somewhere that was never in your “life plans”, it is an uncomfortable and at times humbling experience. I have had to do this many times and it has taken me quite a while to be able to ignore the internal voice which starts making me doubt.  You know that tape recorder that plays in your subconscious making statements such as – “Have I chosen the right path“, “Was it really God speaking to me?”, ”Can people see how uncomfortable I am?”, “Does it look like I know what I am doing?”,  “Why me?”, “I am just going to fail or make a fool out of myself!”. To drown out this internal voice I draw on God’s truth, repeating one of my favourite passages in the book of Jeremiah which cuts through this doubt with words of reassurance:- “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NIV) What a comfort it is to know that when I stumble across hurdles on my path, when unexpected detours come my way, the God of the universe knows the plan, my life has meaning and I am not alone.  What peace it brings in the midst of troubling or changing times in my life to know that I can call on God and He will listen. I pray that the next time change comes your way you will remember this truth and that it will bring you peace and reassurance.

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References:  Image: http://parentingrenewed.com