WEDNESDAY JULY 30, 2014.
'...O
Lord; point out the road for me to follow.' Psalm 25:4 NLT
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!
Even simple decisions can be stressful. Ever watch a
child struggle to choose between chocolate or strawberry ice cream? And the
bigger decisions-like whom to marry, which career to choose, whether to buy a
house or to undergo high-risk surgery etc.-mean life can be nerve-racking! But
you can reduce your stress level by following these Biblical principles: (1) Do
the research. 'Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused.' (Proverbs
18:13 NCV) Get all the facts and avoid making decisions you'll regret.
Knowledge has never been more accessible-through the internet, helpful books,
and especially God's Word: 'Your commands...are my constant guide.' (Psalm
119:98 NLT) (2) Talk to God. 'Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the
road for me to follow.' Consulting God helps prevent premature decisions,
clarifies your priorities and prepares you to hear His counsel. Is God
interested in your decisions? Yes. 'The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He
delights in every detail of their lives.' (Psalm 37:23 NLT) (3) Be open to new
ideas. Don't get trapped in old mind-sets. 'An intelligent mind acquires
knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.' (Proverbs 18:15 NRS)
Clinging to the familiar can be crippling. God may choose to lead you along a
new path of fresh insight. So breathe deeply, seek His wisdom, and open up your
heart to receive it. (4) Get advice from trusted friends. 'It's a hard road
that's walked alone,' says an old Celtic proverb. So follow Solomon's counsel:
'A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.' (Proverbs
12:15 TLB)
Taken
from the Word for You Today Devotional
No comments:
Post a Comment