I have had numerous conversations with people that have wanted to know “God’s will” in a particular situation. They wanted to know what God wanted them to do in a specific situation as if they were afraid that a wrong decision or wrong direction would cause them to be placed outside of God’s protection and provision. Some people I have encountered in this situation have been so paralyzed by their fear of making the wrong decisions, they simply chose to do nothing rather than do something wrong. The questions raised by this attitude are many, but the motives are pure, if not a little misguided.
In their book, Guard Us, Guide Us: Divine Leading in Life’s Decisions, J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom provide some guidance for those struggling with this dilemma. I have found one particular chapter of the book helpful and thought you might benefit from some of their insight. If you would like to purchase the entire book for yourself, it is published by Baker Books of Grand Rapids, MI, has a copyright date of 2008 and can be purchased at any preferred source for Christian books. Here is their advice:
First, use the brain and intellect God has given you to analyze the situation. Collect all the facts, pros, cons and information available on the decision at hand. Be prepared to go back to get more data as the need will probably arise.
Second, separate out the questions the situation raises. As in many math problems, when too many variables are present, no solution can be arrived upon until each variable is considered and solved. You then bring the solutions from the variables back to the original situation. For instance, a move to another town might involve questions about willingness of family to relocate, suitable employment, quality of schools, a place to plug in to worship, availability of necessary services, medical care, etc. When analyzing and solving all of these variables, the answer just might come out on its own.
Third, search the scriptures again for examples that might apply to your situation. Is there anyone else in the Bible that was called upon to make a similar decision? Is there a principle in scripture that covers your situation? Is there a prohibition that prevents your decision?
Fourth, supplicate humbly about the situation. Ask God to direct your answer in such a way that would bring Him the greatest glory. Present your situation to Him the best you can so that you can listen for His input. Keep in mind that this might take numerous attempts. We should not expect God to show up like we have rubbed a lamp and are ready to place our demands. We need to remember that God is more interested in our holiness than in our happiness because He knows our holiness will lead us to true happiness. Also keep in mind that you need to spend unhurried time, undistracted time and expectant time in prayer seeking His guidance.
Lastly, make sure that you are approaching the situation with humble submission to God’s revelation. Too often, we approach God with our plans and ask for His blessing. He will never bless sin and He will never bless a good answer that has a best answer. To do so would be to diminish His glory and majesty. We need to come to this decision with a readiness to obey no matter the outcome. This will alleviate much of the stress involved with making the decision in the first place.
One last note: we can approach the issues of decisions with one of two wrong attitudes. First, we can make the decision so consequential that we forget it is by grace we are saved, through faith, and not of ourselves. Not of works, lest any man should boast. We need to understand that some decisions are merely decisions and not good vs. bad. We can also react to life situations as if they do not matter at all. We can just glide through life with no goal, no aim, no idea of where we are headed. This is how the lost live. It should not be how we live.
Armed with this information, I pray we can all hear God and follow Him in decisions that arrive.