Jennifer Slattery Christian Blog and Commentary

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While We Wait for Guidance

God always answers us, and often in unexpected ways.

When I'm in a period of silence, I'm assured by Psalm 16:7-8, which says, “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (ESV).

This is God's promise to me. Assurance that as I grow closer to Him, as I spend time with Him and reading the Bible, He’ll shift my thinking and sway my heart so that both more closely mirror His.

This is a process, and one that is infinitely more important than any decision I make today. I often have a very short term focus, getting caught up in the here and now. I allow myself to be deceived into thinking this thing, whatever it is, is more urgent, more necessary than the weightier and eternal matters relating to my character and spiritual growth.

This has become a cliché but I’ll say it anyway: God is more concerned with our journey than our destination. Yes, He is always working out His plan. Yes, He is always working on our behalf. Yes, He guides us regarding which path to take, what opportunity to accept or decline, and how to handle the difficulties that arise. Like a loving Father, He wants the very best for us.

But what if that best is not so much what happens to us but instead within us? 

A while back, while in a place of uncertainty, I read Psalm 15 and sensed God saying to me, “Why are you asking Me what you should do? You already know. Live out what you know to be right. I’ll show you the rest in time.”

This passage says,

“Who may worship in Your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter Your presence on Your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts” (Psalm 15:1-4 NLT).

There’s enough instruction packed in that short passage to keep me occupied for weeks. Months. The rest of my life.

Consider. When you look back at your moments of uncertainty or indecision, can you see God’s hand working not just in the situation, but in and through you as well? Maybe prayerfully journal on this now.

You might also enjoy the Waiting Well video presentation, from Wholly Loved's Becoming His Princess free Bible study. Find the video HERE and the study HERE.

If fear of the unknown hinders your obedience and your peace, make sure to listen to Jennifer Slattery's Faith Over Fear Podcast where she discusses many of the fears that hinder our freedom and tangible ways we can move forward in faith.

If you haven't yet, make sure to check out Jennifer Slattery's Bible reading plan, Faith Over Fear which corresponds to the first twelve episodes of her podcast. Find the reading plan HERE.

If you're a book lover, you can follow Jennifer's author page on Amazon HERE. Contact her HERE to book her for your next women's event or Bible study, connect with her on Facebook, and follow her on Instagram.

Connect with Jennifer and other Christ-centered women on Wholly Loved Ministries' private Facebook group found HERE, a place to share struggles, celebrations, and insights, and inspire one another to be all God created us to be.

Jennifer also invites you to sign up for her free quarterly newsletter. You can read her most recent edition HERE Each edition contains a short devotional, fictional excerpt, recipe, and more. You can sign up HERE. As an added bonus, all subscribers receive a free 36-lesson Bible study (in ebook form, link to download sent separately) on 1 Timothy. Visit her ministry, Wholly Loved, to grab a free copy of the Becoming His Princess Bible study, based on the life of Sarah from Genesis 12-23.

 

Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast. She’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and writers across the nation. She’s the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com.

As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, she’s passionate about helping women experience Christ’s freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event  and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE  and make sure to connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.