Sept 20th, 2020: Learning to Make Hard Decisions
We all have to make hard decisions once in a while. We have to consider many options, many pros and cons, the consequences, the people, the cost, and many more. We might talk to a few people we trust, pray, take time, and ponder. It is not always clear whether you make the right one or not.
Since March, I have been responsible for telling many people about the termination of their employment. All of these meetings have their own flavours. People are reacted to the news differently due to the impact on their lives. One thing I know that it is not an easy task for anyone. I meditate on this passage in the Book of Proverbs often during such a time.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Trusting God is a life long lesson. What does it mean to trust God while having to make a hard decision? First, we need to acknowledge that we are not in control. We learn to have conversations with God about our deepest fear and concerns. It is about learning to rest in him with our restlessness.
When we learn to trust God with our hearts, we embrace the most significant step in our spiritual journeys. Our longing for him is the compass of our decision making. We learn to be free from being self-preoccupied. Our desire to understand can be our stumbling block in trusting God. Our need to understand stops us from taking needed action toward a hard decision we face.
What does it mean to acknowledge God always? It is the freedom to feel His presence in everything we do and what we think as well. In some ways, it is how we need to learn about praying. Praying without ceasing is walking with God daily. It is like to have God on our cell phone all the time.
The promise is clear: God is not about confusion. He will make his path clear to us. The confusion might exist mostly in our hearts, which is a divided one.